Wakulla County moves ahead on Newport and Lake Ellen water projects; Lake Ellen may need extra funding

Wakulla County commissioners authorized staff to submit State Revolving Fund loan applications for improvements to the Newport drinking‑water system and the Lake Ellen septic‑to‑sewer project.

Staff told the board the Newport application will include pledged revenues and designate the county administrator as the authorized representative. For Lake Ellen, staff cited a federal appropriation administered by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and said the project is estimated at about $15 million while the program can cover roughly $13 million. Staff said the county would need to secure about $2 million more through a loan or other sources if external funding cannot be found.

A resident in the public hearing asked how many houses are included; staff answered that the project would encompass roughly 400 homes in Lake Ellen proper and Lake Ellen Estates Unit 1 and would connect to an existing force main. Commissioners approved the loan‑application resolutions unanimously.

Next steps: staff will submit the SRF application packets and continue looking for additional funding to close the identified gap.