City manager says state approved about $2.2 million for Homestead water and bridge projects pending governor's action

City Manager reported that, subject to the governor’s concurrence and any line-item vetoes, the Florida Legislature approved $625,000 for capacity upgrades to undersized and aged water mains, $1,000,000 for Chrome Avenue water-main upsizing and $575,000 for expansion of the Southwest 150 Second Avenue bridge — totaling approximately $2.2 million toward priorities the city submitted to the legislature.

The manager said the $625,000 will start a phased implementation program focused on undersized mains in the west side of the city and other identified areas; the $1,000,000 is earmarked for Chrome Avenue capacity work and the $575,000 for the bridge expansion. He described the allocations as conditional on the governor’s approval and noted the city and its lobbyists — Bekah Poliakoff of The Southern Group and Jose Bias among others — worked to advance the legislative priorities.

Manager remarks emphasized the funds are not final until the governor signs the budget or declines to veto specific items. “As of this afternoon, we received words subject to governor’s concurrence and no line item veto that the city of Homestead will be receiving $625,000 for capacity upgrade of all the water main undersized and aged mains,” the manager said, and later summarized the other approved line items and the combined total of about $2.2 million.

Council members requested a future briefing from state representatives about the legislative process and thanked staff and lobbyists for the results. The allocations will be pursued through the city’s project planning and capital-improvement processes if the governor signs the measures.