Board elevates Chassahowitzka Campground repair request, seeks $800,000 state appropriation
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Summary
The commission unanimously moved an $800,000 state appropriation request to repair storm-damaged Chassahowitzka River Campground, noting a SWFWMD grant of $200,000 and roughly $500,000 in local campground revenues as potential match toward an estimated $1.4 million total repair need.
The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to elevate an $800,000 legislative appropriations request to repair storm damage at the Chassahowitzka River Campground.
Alexander Ault, the county’s intergovernmental affairs liaison, said Representative Groh expressed support for elevating the campground request to the primary appropriations list. Ault recommended adding an $800,000 ask on the senate side; commissioners discussed potential local matches and funding sources.
Staff and commissioners said the county already has approximately $526,000 in campground revenues available that could be dedicated as local match, and noted $200,000 from the South West Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has been provided. County staff said a SWFWMD assessment estimated the total repairs in the $1.4 million range, meaning the $800,000 state request would be a key part of meeting the projected total.
Commissioners debated prioritization of appropriation asks but ultimately agreed to elevate the campground request so the county’s delegation can pursue the funding; they instructed staff to incorporate the ask into the appropriations materials and to discuss reprioritization if necessary when the full list is considered.
What’s next: Staff will incorporate the $800,000 request into the county’s appropriations filing and coordinate with legislative staff to identify matching funds and next steps for the request.
