Hendry County ranks $7M public‑safety request first; seeks airport hangars and sewer rehabilitation in Tallahassee request

Emily Hunter, Hendry County legislative and community relations director, presented the county’s draft legislative appropriation priorities on Aug. 26 and asked the board for ranking and direction ahead of the county’s delegation hearing in September.

Staff proposed three primary dollar requests: $7,000,000 for a West Hendry Public Safety Station (replacement facility to house EMS, fire and a sheriff’s presence), $2,500,000 for construction of box hangars at LaBelle Airport and $2,500,000 for Port LaBelle utility system sewer rehabilitation.

Commissioners ranked the West Hendry Public Safety Station as priority No. 1, Port LaBelle sewer rehabilitation No. 2 and LaBelle Airport hangars No. 3. Commissioners said the public‑safety facility is urgent because temporary facilities have constrained operations after storms. They directed staff to submit the ranked list to the delegation and to seek early placement on the delegation hearing agenda.

Hunter also briefed the board on related policy priorities that may arise during the upcoming legislative session, including concerns about Senate Bill 180 language that would impose restrictions on local land‑use changes in the aftermath of certain storms, the possibility to pursue additional federal opportunity zone designations, requests for increased FDOT funding, and monitoring changes in migrant‑housing policy.

Ending: Staff will submit the ranked appropriation requests to the county’s legislative delegation and return with any updates after the delegation hearing scheduled for Sept. 17.