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Hernando County secures $308,000 federal boost for Lake Townsend boat ramp; agreement extended
Summary
County staff said a US Fish & Wildlife grant of about $308,000 will be added to the Lake Townsend boat ramp budget and the county will extend its agreement with the Florida Fish and Wildlife body to align construction timing; the board approved the extension.
Hernando County commissioners approved staff's request Dec. 16 to extend the agreement schedule for the Lake Townsend boat ramp project and add a federal funding source from US Fish and Wildlife of approximately $308,000.
Carla Urban, the county's natural resources manager, told the board the added grant funding pushes the project budget closer to the engineers' estimates and would allow staff to release the solicitation for construction bidding. "We have acquired federal funding from US Fish and Wildlife, approximately $308,000 to add to this project," Urban said, and added that staff were ready to bid once the funding is finalized. Urban said the extension will push the construction schedule into 2027 so the timeline matches available funds.
Why it matters: The boat ramp has been on the county's list for reconstruction and the additional funding is intended to close the shortfall in current estimates and allow the county to complete the project without further budget amendments.
Board reaction and next steps: Commissioners encouraged staff to accelerate procurement once the funding is finalized. The board voted 5‑0 to approve the extension and authorize the chair to sign the resolution; staff said they will publish solicitation documents once funding is secured and seek to proceed to bid.
Implementation note: Staff indicated the project is in queue for bidding once US Fish and Wildlife and local agreements are finalized and that the county will amend the capital budget to add the grant revenue.
