Hardee County TDC backs gateway-sign design, will ask BOCC to seek funding

The Hardee County Tourism Development Council voted to send a gateway-sign concept and funding plan to the Hardee County Board of County Commissioners for approval and partner contributions.

The design consultant and county staff said the full project to fabricate and install six monument gateway signs across county entry points is estimated at about $402,000; a reduced first phase of four signs would cost roughly $320,000. Consultant Beau Connolly of Kimley‑Horn told the council, “We wanted it to be noticeable,” describing a masonry-and-brick monument that echoes the courthouse facade and includes downlighting.

Why it matters: The signs are intended to increase county visibility at primary entry corridors — U.S. 17 (north and south) and State Road 64 (east and west) — and to support broader tourism marketing the council is developing.

Council discussion and details: Staff and the consultant reviewed siting constraints, DOT permitting and visibility triangles, potential need for easements where right of way is insufficient, and options for electrical service including solar. Assistant County Manager Christopher Simpron summarized permitting and maintenance expectations, saying if a sign is placed in FDOT right of way “we will have to execute a maintenance agreement” between the county and the state.

The project budget and cost-sharing plan presented to the council proposed splitting the tab among four partners (the TDC, the BOCC and two economic-development partners such as the EDA and IDA) at about $80,000 per partner if the county proceeds with four signs in phase one. The TDC has already spent about $5,800 for consultant work to date; staff proposed the TDC contribute $30,000 from reserves in fiscal 2025 and budget $50,000 in the next year to meet an $80,000 share.

Board members asked about sign orientation and visibility, landscaping, the possibility of locating some signs off the right of way (requiring easements), local bidding and use of local contractors, and liability. Staff said the county would own and maintain the signs and that the county’s umbrella insurance would apply; liability beyond ownership was described as no greater than other county-owned infrastructure.

Action: The council voted to forward the design concept and a plan to seek outside funding to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. The vote was taken by voice; the record shows the motion carried by the council but did not include a roll-call tally in the meeting record.

Next steps: Staff will take the concept to the BOCC, pursue funding partners and begin permitting and design refinement with Kimley‑Horn if and when funding is secured. The council asked staff to explore a few design changes (logo size, sign angling where visibility allows, and potential middle-of-road placement only if DOT clearances permit).