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Regional water cooperative seeks state help to finish multi-city sewer and water project
Summary
Representatives of a three-town cooperative asked the Levy County legislative delegation for assistance to close a funding gap for a regional wastewater and potable water project serving Bronson, Cedar Key and Otter Creek; presenters said grants and SRF loans total much of the plan but the three cities face an estimated $15,000,000 shortfall.
Representatives of a regional water and wastewater cooperative told the Levy County legislative delegation that Hurricane damage and recurring flooding have left small coastal and inland towns struggling to maintain safe drinking water and sewer systems.
Robert Beltran, consulting engineer for the cooperative, said the program would build both water and wastewater plants plus roughly 35 miles of water and force mains to reach Cedar Key, Bronson and Otter Creek. He told the delegation the objective is resilient local systems and to increase access to state funding and loan programs. "We are building both water plant and waste water plant in the time of processing to serve these communities along with 35 miles of water main and force main to get all the way down to Cedar Key," Beltran said.
Rachel Weeks, identified as W3C chair, urged lawmakers to close the remaining funding gap to make the project shovel ready. "We have applied for many grants and many SRF loans... If we do receive all of them, we will still be short about $15,000,000," Weeks said, adding the shortfall would be split among the three cities over 30 years. She and other speakers asked the delegation to help secure matching funds and legislative fixes that would allow special districts to receive advance reimbursements for recovery grants.
Speakers noted the Suwannee River Water Management District had supported design funding and that Department of Environmental Protection grants and loan programs typically require reimbursement after work is completed. A delegation member flagged Florida statute language (discussed later in the meeting) that has been interpreted to bar special districts from upfront recovery payments, increasing local borrowing and interest costs.
The delegation did not make a formal appropriation during the meeting but delegation staff and presenters agreed to follow up with draft statutory language and additional project materials.
The delegation's next procedural step is to receive requested drafting language and continue conversations in committee weeks and with appropriations staff.
