Council endorses prioritized sewer projects for DEP grant and approves water extension option for two homes on Tioga Lane

Lake Placid — Council members voted to prioritize a package of regional wastewater projects for the town’s next Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) grant application and approved a separate homeowner water‑extension option that will allow two residences on Tioga Lane to receive town water now at the homeowner’s expense.

On wastewater and funding priorities, council directed staff to package projects 1–3 (closing the Tomoka and Lake June Hills treatment plants and constructing a tying lift station/force main into the new central plant) as the town’s DEP grant submission. Council members said the combination reduces pollutant loading to Lake Henry and Lake June and positions the town to use state funding that favors lake‑protection projects. Council also authorized staff to seek a second, separate legislative (congressional) earmark request, tentatively for a portion of the Southtown project, so long as the town can firm up scope and cost figures in time for the federal process.

Town staff cautioned DEP grant amounts are limited; staff briefed the council that DEP awards in recent cycles have tended to range in the single‑digit to low‑double‑digit millions, and that projects may need to be scaled to fit available funding. The council’s priorities were developed in coordination with the regional utility board and reflected engineering updates and bids where available.

Separately the council considered a homeowner request to receive potable town water at 37 Tioga Lane and the adjoining parcel. The owner offered to fund an immediate inch‑and‑a‑half service run from Lake June Road at his cost (approximately $39,000 estimate for the small service), while the town’s preferred solution would have upsized an eight‑inch main and installed a hydrant for future village‑scale service (estimated at roughly $99,000–$138,000 depending on installation method). After discussion the council approved the homeowner’s option: the homeowner may proceed with an inch‑and‑a‑half service at his cost and with the understanding that future main upgrades could supersede and replace that private line. Council members said the town will maintain policy work to create consistent rules for individual extensions vs. developer‑funded main extensions.

In other utility business the council authorized the mayor to execute a water bulk service fee agreement (a financing step) with Southern Florida District Church of the Nazarene for potable service to the Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center, with a requested amendment allowing a cash deposit to guarantee obligations in lieu of a specified bond type; the town attorney and applicant will work on final wording to ensure escrow/holding arrangements are clear. Council approved that authorization by roll call following applicant assurances that their board must sign but asked to proceed to keep the DEP/FDEP financing timeline on track.