Utility district transfers $5 million to city for ground storage tank and booster pumps at new Fire Station 86

The City of Riviera Beach Utility Special District approved Resolution 22-25UD to transfer $5,000,000 from the USD renewal and replacement account to the city to fund construction of a ground storage tank (1,000,000-gallon-day size referenced in staff materials) and associated booster pumping facilities at the new Fire Station 86 at 5010 North Ocean Drive (North Singer Island).

Executive Director Joshua Neiman described the transfer as part of the Fire Station 86 construction work: the booster pump station and the ground storage tank will be built as part of the station project; later the existing tank will be removed to complete the station footprint. The transfer does not include separate funding to replace the water line running north on Singer Island; staff said the board will be asked to approve that work separately once sizing and scope are finalized.

Public comment and concerns: One public commenter, Scott Lewis, urged greater fiscal scrutiny, saying earlier estimates provided to a planning board had presented a lower cost and expressing concern that project estimates have risen substantially over a short period. Lewis asked the board to examine long-term costs for residents and to consider the cumulative tax and bill impact of multiple large capital projects. Other public speakers urged attention to water quality and to accountability for past reporting lapses.

Outcome: The board voted unanimously to approve Resolution 22-25UD transferring $5,000,000 from USD renewal and replacement (Account 41231102-503220) to project 23083 (new Fire Station 86) to fund the ground storage tank and pumping facilities. The finance director was authorized to modify budget appropriations accordingly.

Ending: Staff said work on the tank and booster pumps is advancing and that a separate resolution to fund any Singer Island water-main replacement would be brought back to the board for approval.