Melbourne Beach commissioners agree to tap reserves, reallocate funds to move Basin 1 stormwater project forward

Melbourne Beach commissioners agreed Tuesday to redirect several budget items and to authorize the town manager to use reserves if needed so the long‑planned Basin 1 stormwater project can proceed despite bids that exceeded engineering estimates.

The commission voted to move $100,000 from a long‑term capital allocation in department 19 into the stormwater fund, and later approved additional transfers that together reduced the budget gap for Basin 1. Commissioners also directed staff to pursue available state and federal stormwater grants and to consider phasing work so construction can begin while grant applications and rebids continue.

The action came after staff and engineers reported that three construction bids for the Basin 1 pipe work ranged from roughly $1.9 million to more than $2.6 million, far above the $1.12 million that had been included in the draft budget. Town Manager Elizabeth Mascaro told the commission the bids were higher than anticipated because the work requires pipe replacements rather than simpler treatments. She said the town can rebid, change the mix of work (for example, do streets in phases or reconsider swale work), or seek grants but that, as currently priced, Basin 1 would exhaust the stormwater fund through the end of fiscal year 2026.

Vice Mayor Don Barlow moved — and the commission approved 5‑0 — transferring $100,000 from a capital account (department 19) to Fund 341 (stormwater) to help…