Canal advisory committee reviews FY25 finances; maintenance, mangrove trimming and bathymetric survey planned

The Prince George Isles Canal Advisory Committee on Oct. 14 reviewed the fiscal year 2025 expenditure and revenue report and heard updates on maintenance tasks, emergency carryover funds and planned surveys.

Mark Storm, canal maintenance supervisor for Punta Gorda City Public Works, told the committee the fiscal-year report through Sept. 30 showed no negative balances and that disaster-relief and FEMA funding remain in carryover. "The FEMA funding is mainly for the riprap that's up from Irma," Storm said. He said he will provide a more complete report at the committee's November meeting.

Storm said there was no spending recorded for seawall replacement this year because barges needed for that work are engaged elsewhere. He estimated the larger seawall and barge-driven repairs will likely occur in fiscal 2026, and said barges should free up "sometime in '26" depending on completion of ongoing repairs elsewhere.

Mangrove trimming has been largely completed, Storm said, with an estimated budget of $28,000 and about $1,500 expected to roll over into the next fiscal year. He told the committee no dredging was performed this year and that a perimeter sonar (bathymetric) survey is planned when negative tides allow better access for mapping.

Committee members asked for a clearer timeline for barge availability and for the sonar work; Storm said he would follow up and present updated scheduling and costs at the next meeting. "I'll have a better report on that coming back to you in November," he said.

The committee did not take formal action on funding or projects at the meeting; members asked staff to continue coordinating with procurement and engineering to schedule surveys and barge-dependent repairs.

The committee's next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18.