County moves ahead with CDBG‑DR applications; adds Rotunda Bridge to dredging requests

At the July 22 meeting, County staff sought and received authorization to pursue multiple Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG‑DR) applications tied to the 2023–24 storms. Community Development grant coordinator Luke Wright outlined eligible project types — infrastructure repair, hazard‑mitigation match, planning grants and housing assistance tied to low‑to‑moderate‑income (LMI) households — and described scoring priorities: tieback to the storms, readiness to start construction, and demonstrated LMI benefit.

Staff proposed a slate of projects: wastewater capacity upgrades in Rotunda and Westport, stormwater pipe relining within LMI block groups, railroad culvert improvements, stormwater upgrades near Eastport and Loveland, park pavilion replacements, and emergency communications and shelter planning. Wright told the board that HUD requires a policy manual, Davis‑Bacon wage compliance and NEPA review for selected projects.

Commissioners added the Rotunda Bridge project to the CDBG‑DR project list for consideration but asked staff to confirm duplication‑of‑benefit rules (FEMA/Federal) because some work may overlap with FEMA funding. Deputy County Administrator Emily Lewis cautioned that duplication‑of‑benefit and FEMA rules could affect eligibility and that staff should retain discretion to adjust projects as needed.

Separately, the board approved Sunrise Waterway maintenance dredging (item F25/R25) with funding identified from the Public Works MSBU dredging plan, ad valorem hurricane recovery adjustments, FEMA, FDEP and anticipated West Coast Inland Navigation District contributions; the motion clarified that MSBU assessments will fund required local matches and that renourishment portions for certain parks are not charged to the MSBU. The dredging motion passed unanimously.