SUBJECT
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Approve amending the Community Investment Program (CIP) for the Parks and Natural Resources CIP. Special Revenue Grant Fund CIP amendment to increase FY24/25 of the Water Resources CIP Kissimmee Watershed Project allocation by $1,000,000 and reduce the Upper Saddle Creek Water Quality Improvement project by the same amount FY24/25,CIP amendment to reallocate American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding from the Water Resources CIP Lake Lulu FY24/25 in an amount of $537,260 and increase the Peace Creek Canal project by the same amount, and Approve any modifications necessary to the land purchase agreements funding to maximize the use of ARP and any available grant funding while not exceeding Board authorized maximums. (one-time expense $1,537,260)
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DESCRIPTION
CIP #1 - Polk County was awarded, and the Board approved a State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Grant Agreement (Agreement # L0124), through the Polk Regional Water Cooperative Heartland Funding Initiative for a non-matching $1,800,000. The grant’s goal is to address nutrient pollutant loads in the Headwaters of the Everglades that may be contributing to the decline in water quality within Lake Okeechobee. Prevention of new septic tanks in the contributing basins of impaired or outstanding water bodies was the priority for this project. The grant agreement enables the County to complete a full-fee acquisition within the Kissimmee Watershed / Headwaters of the Everglades of parcels on the Masterpiece UPCO/ALCOMA property, where entitlements include installation of septic tanks. An Agreement for Sale and Purchase was approved by the Board on November 5, 2024, to acquire these lands, this acquisition is scheduled to occur in the current budget year. When the grant was awarded, the timing of closing was unknown. Now that closing is scheduled the CIP amendment is required so that the funds from the grant may be applied to the acquisition occurring current year. This CIP amendment is required to better support auditing and future grant reporting requirements. The Upper Saddle Creek Water Quality Improvement CIP Project’s FDEP Innovative Tech grant will funds will not be expended current fiscal year allowing this transfer.
The Board approved this grant agreement for $1,800,000, no match required, on December 3, 2024. The grant agreement is included in the CIP but split over two fiscal years. Funds will be used all in the current fiscal as a part of the revised spending plan. Approval of this CIP amendment will transfer $1,000,000 in appropriations from the Upper Saddle Creek Water Quality Improvement CIP Project’s FDEP Innovative Tech Grant where grant funds will not be expended current fiscal year to the Kissimmee Watershed Project allowing full expenditure during FY24/25. Any change to the projects will be reversed during the FY25/26 CIP Process. On November 19, 2024 the Board approved an agreement for sale and purchase for the Masterpiece Road project, the acquisition and closing costs were approved to be funded from the Parks and Natural Resources CIP through the Environmental Lands CIP Ridge to River Corridor project $1,713,000 and the Water Resources CIP Kissimmee Watershed project grant for $1,500,000. With the approval of grant agreement #L0124, the acquisition and closing costs will now be funded by the Parks and Natural Resources CIP through the Environmental Lands CIP Ridge to River Corridor project $1,413,000 and the Water Resources CIP Kissimmee Watershed FDEP Grant #L0124 for $1,800,000.
CIP #2 - Based on a previously completed watershed management study of the Peace Creek Canal the County has identified several project areas intended to enhance water quality, water storage and aquifer recharge associated with the canal and the lakes to which it outfalls. One such area is area located along either side of US Highway 27 to the north of Cypress Gardens Boulevard (SR 540)/Waverly Road which is near Lake Annie and includes approximately 1.3 linear miles of the canal corridor. The area would allow for future projects to enhance water quality as well as additional water storage and enhanced habitats. The County identified several large tracts of land in the project area owned by Buck Mann Ranch, LLC and BDG Lands, LLC which contain a total of approximately 1,272-acres, of which approximately 700-acres are uplands. Additionally, the tracts lie adjacent to, and would complement, properties previously acquired by the County in conjunction with the overall project area. During discussions with the representatives of the owners they acknowledged that they would be interested in pursuing a voluntary acquisition of the properties by the County. This project was approved by the Stormwater Technical Advisory Committee (STAC). The Board previously allocated American Rescue Plan Act Funds (ARP) for this project which will be utilized for a significant portion of the purchase of the property.
The Board approved an Agreement for Sale and Purchase of the Mann Ranch and authorized expending $20,095,000 for the purchase and closing. The Board also approved using the funds for the purchase of the parcel and applicable closing costs as follows: 1.) $11,294,860 in the American Rescue Plan Act Fund 2.) $7,050,000 in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Peace Creek Canal Basin Grant Fund and 3.) $500,000 in the Heartland Funding State Appropriations (PRWC Peace Creek WPP) Grant Fund and 4.) $1,250,140 in the Stormwater MSTU Fund. By way of this agenda and following the requested CIP amendment, the acquisition and closing costs will be funded as follows: 1.) $11,832,120 in the American Rescue Plan Act Fund 2.) $7,050,000 in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Peace Creek Canal Basin Grant Fund and 3.) $500,000 in the Heartland Funding State Appropriations (PRWC Peace Creek WPP) Grant Fund and 4.) $712,880 in the Stormwater MSTU Fund. Again, this includes the CIP amendment to reallocate American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding from the Water Resources CIP Lake Lulu FY24/25 to the Peace Creek Canal project by the same amount.
RECOMMENDATION
Request the Board approve the following:
1) Special Revenue Grant Fund CIP amendment to increase FY24/25 of the Water Resources CIP Kissimmee Watershed Project allocation by $1,000,000 and reduce the Upper Saddle Creek Water Quality Improvement project by the same amount FY24/25,
2) CIP amendment to reallocate American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding from the Water Resources CIP Lake Lulu FY24/25 in an amount of $537,260 and increase the Peace Creek Canal project by the same amount, and
Approve any modifications necessary to the land purchase agreements funding to maximize the use of ARP and any available grant funding while not exceeding Board authorized maximums.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available for transfer as noted above in the Special Revenue Grants Fund and the American Rescue Plan Fund within Parks and Natural Resources Five-Year CIP.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabitha Biehl, Land and Water Natural Areas Manager
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
tabithabiehl@polk-county.net <mailto:tabithabiehl@polk-county.net>