Taylor County commissioners approve seeking $6 million to dredge storm-choked canals

Taylor County commissioners voted Jan. 20 to ask staff to pursue up to $6 million in federal Restore Act/Treasury funding to begin dredging and related permitting for several county waterways, a move residents and business owners urged after months of clogged canals, stranded boats and reported drops in local tourism revenue.

The board’s action followed extended public testimony from homeowners, charter captains and business owners who said canals on Keaton/Katon Beach, Steen Hatchee and other man-made channels are heavily silted and full of debris since multiple hurricanes. Several speakers described near-miss boating incidents, daily maintenance burdens for commercial fishers and a decline in bookings or local spending tied to navigability problems.

Why it matters: County staff said earlier bids for dredging at some sites came in roughly twice earlier estimates — roughly a $10 million bid where about $5 million had been anticipated — and that additional costs reflect mobilization, spoil disposal and environmental constraints. Staff and commissioners cited two practical funding levers: a roughly $4.5 million FDM grant the county already has available for permitting and design, and pot-one/pot-three Restore Act allocations that require Treasury approval through the Gulf Consortium and typically take about 12–18 months to process. The motion passed by voice vote; staff will return with an application recommendation.

What the board approved: The motion directs staff to seek up to $6 million in funding to move forward on permitted and bid-ready projects at Keaton/Katon Beach and Steen Hatchee, to pursue reimbursement to county reserves if Treasury rules allow, and to continue permitting and design work on additional waterways so future applications will include accurate cost estimates.

Key constraints and next steps: Staff told commissioners they will (1) confirm whether reserve funding may be used up front and reimbursed later (auditor and Treasury review required); (2) finalize which portions of the bypass earmark (approximately $7.7 million set aside earlier) can be reallocated without violating prior approvals; and (3) complete additional hydrographic studies and permitting where designs are not yet finished so construction applications present fixed costs and reduce the need for later amendments. The typical timeline for a Treasury/Restore Act award is 12–18 months, though staff said they will request federal support to expedite review where feasible.

Community concerns: Speakers urged a mix of immediate and longer-term actions: negotiate phased or segmented contracts with available bidders to avoid repeated mobilization costs; consider temporary use of reserve funds to start high-priority work; pursue local spoil-site options where environmental testing permits; and pursue code enforcement or county-managed cleanups for readily accessible debris. Residents also raised contamination concerns: several commenters said core samples identified arsenic in limited spots, increasing disposal costs because contaminated dredge material often must be trucked to a lined landfill rather than pumped to a spoil site.

What remains unresolved: The precise funding package, which specific projects will start first, and whether reserves can be used and later reimbursed depend on further staff work, consultant cost confirmations and Treasury/auditor guidance. Staff indicated they will present an application and implementation plan at a future meeting.

Board comments and vote: Commissioners repeatedly expressed support to prioritize dredging over some bypass projects, citing safety and the county’s tourism economy. The motion to seek up to $6 million for permitted projects and to pursue reimbursement to reserves if allowable passed by voice vote; staff will return with a formal application recommendation and clarifying legal/audit guidance.