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Council workshop maps unfunded capital projects, 1% sales tax priorities and FEMA repair plans
Summary
Staff presented a multi‑year capital improvement plan showing roughly $1.0 million in remaining flexibility, a $1.9–2.3 million short window in 1% sales tax undesignated funds, and a list of unfunded projects including Tiger Dam, Lashley Pier/FEMA repairs, marina dredging, Virginia Avenue improvements and decorative lighting upgrades.
City staff reviewed the general construction fund, 1% local option sales tax program and an inventory of unfunded capital projects at the May 20 budget workshop. Kristen, the finance director, said the general construction fund had “about a million dollars to think about on some of those unfunded projects,” and that the 1% sales tax undesignated balance would be roughly $2.3 million at the end of fiscal 2026 before planned uses reduced the balance to about $1.9 million in 2027.
The packet enumerated partially and fully unfunded projects: Tiger Dam (amount to be confirmed), the Lashley Park fishing pier and seawall (staff will pursue FEMA reimbursement for hurricane damage), marina repairs and dredging, West William Street drainage improvements ($275,000 listed), Glasgow Avenue improvements ($825,000), accessible pedestrian signals ($800,000 — grant application in progress), Pickleball court fence replacement ($110,000), boat docks ($275,000) and decorative approach lighting on the US‑41 southbound bridge (listed near $420,000).
Several councilmembers pressed staff on funding mixes and project timing. Councilmember Janine Polk said she wanted clearer breakdowns showing “how much we have, how much we've used, what we have left, what we need” for each funding source. Staff agreed to improve the reporting and noted some projects are grant‑funded (MPO, FDOT) and others would require local match or city funds.
Virginia Avenue design and parking tradeoffs drew detailed technical discussion. Ron Evers of Public Works explained the current parking along Virginia is largely non‑conforming and that redesign to avoid temporary construction easements or to reduce cross‑section standards would require study and extra design costs; staff said the department could not complete the project for $871,000 without a redesign.
FEMA and insurance considerations: staff reiterated that FEMA is a reimbursement program and that the city can federalize contracts to seek reimbursement for hurricane‑related repairs, but doing so adds procurement requirements (buy‑American clauses and extra vendor paperwork) and sometimes higher vendor costs. For the Lashley Pier and marina repairs, staff said they are working with the state and FEMA and hope to have site inspections and obligations in the near term.
What’s next: staff will refine the CIP sheet, reconcile project costs and funding sources, and bring updated materials back to council on June 4 for prioritization and possible reallocation of tier‑2 1% sales tax funds.
