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Committee presses staff for clearer accounting on seawall replacement and FEMA funds
Summary
Committee members raised questions about large remaining balances on hurricane-related seawall replacement and whether FEMA and other reimbursements have been received; staff agreed to verify figures and respond before the next meeting.
Committee members questioned staff on April 21 about the Punta Gorda Isles canal maintenance finances, expressing concern that reported balances for hurricane Ian-related seawall replacement did not match members’ impressions of work completed.
Harry Wahlberg and Ron Ludwig asked whether large line items labeled “federal disaster relief” and a “general fund” balance on the canal maintenance revenue report represent FEMA dollars still outstanding. “We’ve discussed this at just about every meeting — have we received the riprap dollars yet from FEMA?” Wahlberg asked. Staff said they would verify the source and status of the line items with the finance department and with Mark Storm (canal maintenance seawall inspector) and would provide an answer before the next meeting.
The finance report presented by Julio Gaiton, standing in for Mark Storm, showed a projected budget for hurricane Ian seawall replacement of $35,000,000 with work completed listed at $3,773,000, leaving an apparent balance of roughly $31,000,000 on the report. Committee members said the percentage-complete numbers did not appear to align with observed progress. Gaiton and Gary Disher told the committee they would review pay applications and obligation records and follow up with the committee by email.
Committee members noted that carryover from earlier obligations (including prior projects related to Hurricane Irma) could affect line-item figures; staff agreed to provide a clarified accounting and to explain whether reported balances are obligated funds, carryover, or unreceived reimbursements.
No formal financial decision was made on April 21. The committee asked staff to report back with clarified figures and the source of the balances (FEMA, state, general fund or other) before the next meeting.
