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Commission signals support for modest reallocation to 'Elevate Florida' residential program
Summary
The commission gave consensus direction on April 15 to support a modest reallocation (about 5%) of local hazard‑mitigation grant funds toward Elevate Florida, a state program that assists homeowners with elevation or acquisition to reduce flood risk.
City staff asked the commission for consensus direction on April 15 to support a modest reallocation — roughly 5% — of local Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds toward Elevate Florida, a state program that helps residential property owners elevate, demolish or acquire homes at risk from storm damage.
City Manager and staff described two separate federal/state programs: the HMGP administered at the county level for municipal infrastructure projects, and Elevate Florida, a state‑administered program for residential mitigation. Staff noted a large statewide Elevate application pool (about 6,200 applications statewide; roughly 2,300 in Pinellas County, 82 in Dunedin) and explained that several Pinellas municipalities are recommending a small reallocation so more local residential applications can be funded.
Staff recommended a 5% reallocation as a starting point to increase residential assistance without materially reducing funding for municipal hazard‑mitigation projects; commission members expressed support for intergovernmental cooperation and for balancing municipal infrastructure needs with homeowner assistance. Commissioners directed staff to report back through county processes; the county will make final allocation decisions.
Staff cautioned that FCT and other grant timelines remain relevant for projects already submitted and that reallocation requests to state/federal administrators are possible but not guaranteed. Commissioners indicated consensus support for a 5% reallocation, and staff said they will continue to pursue the city’s HMGP project list while coordinating with the county and state on Elevate Florida requests.
