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Gulf County authorizes execution of consortium amendment to add about $2.7 million to Port St. Joe breakwater project
Summary
The county authorized staff to execute a consortium amendment that would add roughly $2.7 million to a planned breakwater and beach nourishment project and discussed timelines, federal review and potential wildlife-related delays.
A staff member told the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners that county staff should be authorized to execute an amendment from a consortium that would add about $2,700,000 to the Port St. Joe breakwater project once the amendment is received.
The board voted to allow staff to execute the amendment upon receipt after a motion by Commissioner McCrone and a second by Commissioner Huz; the motion passed 5-0. The motion authorized execution “within days of having it received,” according to staff’s request.
County staff said the additional funding has already been counted in the state plan and that the action is an acceptance of those funds rather than a new tax or new appropriation. Staff and commissioners discussed that final award and work will remain contingent on the funding agency’s review and approval.
Patricia Hartman, president of the Coastal Community Association, spoke during public comment about the project timeline and public information. Hartman said the county’s bid had gone out and that sand pumping was expected to begin as early as September, with breakwater work following later. She asked the county to improve public communications about start dates and progress and praised the county’s grant writers for securing funding.
County staff and commissioners also discussed potential on-site delays unrelated to funding: they noted a need to coordinate with the City of Port St. Joe and state wildlife authorities over a separate bat issue encountered at a local school/gym. Staff said the project team would work with the grant agency and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as required, and that federal requirements tied to archaeological and environmental reviews had already lengthened the timeline for the federally funded work.
The county will return to normal procurement and award steps once the funding-agency review and interlocal coordination with the city are complete. The board’s action allows staff to sign the consortium amendment immediately upon receipt, enabling the county to meet bid and construction schedules subject to the conditions above.
