Taylor County commissioners vote to apply for $6 million from POT 3 for Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach dredging

The Taylor County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 20 to apply for $6,000,000 from POT 3 funds to dredge the Steinhatchee Boat Basin and Keaton Beach boat ramp.

Commissioner Jamie English told the board the county had received $5 million in funding for dredging but "the bid came in double at $10 million," and recommended using RESTORE/POT-type funds for dredging rather than bypass funding reserved for boat ramps. Commissioner Pam Feagle said she was "100% in favor" of reallocating the bypass set-aside to support dredging. Commissioner Michael Newman moved to apply for $6,000,000 from POT 3 funds; Commissioner Jim Moody seconded the motion, which passed on a unanimous vote.

Clerk of Court Gary Knowles said staff would investigate whether reserve funds could temporarily cover costs and then be replenished when POT 3 money is received. The board did not commit county reserves at the meeting; the vote authorized staff to pursue POT 3 funding only.

The motion directs county staff to apply for the $6,000,000 allocation to cover dredging work at the named sites. The board did not award a dredging contract at the meeting and made no changes to project specifications; the motion concerns the source of funding only. Next steps identified by commissioners included staff follow-up on reserve-replacement timing and proceeding with competitive procurement if funding is secured.

The motion was recorded as: motion to apply for $6,000,000 from POT 3 funds for dredging in Steinhatchee Boat Basin and Keaton Beach boat ramp; mover: Commissioner Michael Newman; second: Commissioner Jim Moody; vote: English, Demps, Newman, Feagle, Moody — yes. Outcome: approved.