City hears Emergency Operations Center presentation; budget amendment for project moved to second reading
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Summary
Emergency Manager Stacy Helescio outlined the operational and resilience needs for a dedicated Emergency Operations Center after recent storms and described funding from the building fund, surtax proceeds and a $900,000 grant application; the ordinance to add $1,685,105 in EOC funding was continued to second reading Dec. 9.
Emergency Manager Stacy Helescio told the City Commission the city needs a dedicated Emergency Operations Center (EOC) equipped for 24/7 operations, backup utilities and space for joint communications and GIS after lessons learned in Tropical Storm Elsa and Hurricane Ian. She described incidents where North Port was locally impacted and county resources were not available, saying the city must be better prepared to be self‑sufficient in no‑notice events.
Helescio listed functional needs for the proposed facility — staff workspaces for emergency management, development services and IT; breakout rooms; sleeping and kitchen facilities for extended operations; backup water and power; and space to host trainings and partner meetings. She said the city’s adopted building fund, surtax proceeds and a grants request for about $900,000 together provide the funding approach presented to the commission, and warned of construction cost escalation if the project is delayed: “8% compounded... it’s a little bit over $1,000,000 each year every time we put it off,” she said.
The City Clerk read Ordinance 2025‑34 (F24 EOC) on first reading — a budget amendment in the amount of $1,685,105 to add EOC funding. Commissioners expressed general support and the body voted 5‑0 to continue the ordinance to second reading on Dec. 9, 2025 to complete the formal adoption process.
No public commenters spoke on the ordinance at this meeting; staff remain available for follow‑up questions, and second reading will return the item to a future agenda.