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Commission backs county application for FDEP beach-recovery money and warns state against leaving county on the hook for Milton Pass repairs
Summary
Charlotte County approved a grant application for a Manasota/Minnetonka Key beach restoration project and asked staff to press the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the Legislature to fund work that may be needed at nearby Milton Pass rather than shifting costs to the county.
Charlotte County commissioners unanimously approved staff's request Tuesday to pursue state funding through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for a beach restoration project on Manasota (recorded in the agenda as 'Minnesota') Key, while reiterating concerns about cost overruns and state responsibility to repair an adjacent tidal inlet, Milton Pass.
Commissioners said the county will pursue the state grant to support beach renourishment and other resilience work, but several voiced concern that the state's handling of Milton Pass could leave the county liable for unanticipated costs. Commissioner Chris Constance, who led the discussion, said he did not want the county to "end up holding the bag" for Milton Pass repair costs; Public Works Director John Elias told the board county-maintained passes would not be filled with beach-restoration funds unless additional state money were supplied.
Commissioners and staff described the project as a joint effort among Charlotte County, FDEP and neighboring jurisdictions; Commissioner Chris Doherty said the county should be explicit in its 2026 legislative priorities and in conversations with the agency that state recovery funding should address Milton Pass if it contributed to the area's erosion. Deputy County Administrator Emily Lewis advised the board that there are separate pots of DEP funding (regular beach management funding and hurricane-recovery funding), and staff will continue to press Tallahassee for relief related to the recent storms.
The item passed unanimously. Commissioners directed staff to coordinate with FDEP and regional partners, to clarify which portions of the work would be borne by which party, and to include the county's expectations in legislative outreach.
