Senator says town should pursue septic-to-sewer conversion; state funding for lake cleanup uncertain

State Senator Mac Bernard (District 24) updated the Lake Clark Shores Town Council on the latest Tallahassee activity affecting the town’s lake-cleanup and park projects.

Bernard said he and the town’s lobbyist spent much of the legislative session seeking funding for the town. He told the council that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has encouraged a pivot from septic systems to central sewer and that the town should pursue a septic‑to‑sewer conversion as the principal strategy. Bernard said the town’s request for approximately $5 million tied to lake cleanup and remediation did not survive the legislative negotiations this session, citing wider budget conflicts between the House and governor on water‑initiative funding. He identified a state grant opportunity — the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Grant program — with an application cycle opening Sept. 1 and webinar Aug. 20 for park projects (the program and amounts were described in the presentation).

Council members asked whether DEP would pay for cleanup if the town completed a central sewer conversion; Bernard said DEP staff suggested the town should proceed with sewer conversion first and that funding requests could be pursued in subsequent sessions. Manager and the council said they expect a DEP representative to attend a future meeting to explain options.

Discussion: Senator Bernard described legislative outcomes, budget vetoes and recommended focusing on septic to sewer conversion and applying for state recreation grants. Direction: staff to continue pursuing funding and to invite DEP to brief the council. Decision: no formal funding was approved at the meeting.