County applies for HMGP upgrades to multiple traffic signals; commissioners discuss matching funds and impact fees

Hardee County General Services Director Laurie Ayers and interim grants coordinator Topanga Arana briefed the Board July 14 on applications to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to upgrade traffic signals at the REA Road/US‑17 intersection and Florida Avenue/West Main Street.

Staff said the targeted signals are more than 15–20 years old, were installed by private developers (Walmart was cited in one example) and have reached typical service lifespans. County staff said the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state guidance point to HMGP as an eligible funding source for signal hardening and that the grant requires a 25% cash match. Ayers and staff noted FDOT provides annual maintenance agreements (TSMC) for signals in the state right-of-way and that the county is responsible for maintenance because the facilities are within county limits.

Commissioners asked about potential local funding sources for the 25% match. Staff and county attorneys discussed impact fees and special assessments as long-term options: impact fees require a study and must be proportionate to development impacts, while special assessments require a different process and voter or property-owner approvals in many cases. Commissioner Wells asked whether Florida Commerce might provide match support; staff said Florida Commerce has a HUD-funded work plan tied to Hurricane Milton recovery that includes assistance to communities for HMGP match funding and that staff will apply for that assistance when it opens.

County staff said the HMGP applications will proceed with the 25% match on these aging signals and that they will seek Florida Commerce support to cover the local share where eligible. No grant awards were recorded at the meeting.