Punta Gorda Isles committee backs $1,500 FY27 seawall assessment and delays costly materials study

The Punta Gorda Isles Canal Advisory Committee recommended on June 9 that City Council proceed with a proposed FY27 single-family seawall assessment of $1,500 — a $150 increase — and postponed authorizing a new, full seawall materials study pending additional staff research.

Finance Director Kristen Simeone presented the committee with the pro forma and the administration’s recommendation, saying "we currently have a proposed assessment rate of $1,500" and that the packet assumes $150-per-year increases in future years for planning. The proposed FY27 rate was presented as the maximum that would appear on the non-ad valorem assessment roll, with Council scheduled to set the proposed rate at its June 17 meeting and the final rate in September.

The committee’s discussion turned to whether the district should commission an updated engineering study of seawall materials — including newer vinyl-panel systems — or continue with the existing approach. Staff and members reviewed a prior Taylor engineering study (2020/2021) that estimated vinyl life expectancy in the 40-year range and modified concrete solutions at longer lifespans. Mark Storm, Public Works, said prior work had shown vinyl ‘‘in that 40 range’’ while concrete options were estimated at "60, 65 years to 90." He cautioned that changing materials would require reengineering and permitting changes.

Members pressed on cost and value: staff recalled the last study cost about $87,000, and estimated that a similar new study in today’s market could approach $150,000. Committee member Jake Dye urged an incremental approach — "informally look and see whether or not there’s enough information out there to warrant actually going out and doing some kind of a formal study" — and several members agreed. The committee asked staff to check procurement rules and to contact the previous firm to determine whether an update (rather than a full new study) would be feasible and less expensive.

On the assessment, members debated program capacity. Staff presented a planning target of 10,000 lineal feet per year; Mark Storm said the study recommended 12,000 and that emergency work (fallen walls) can pull resources from scheduled replacement. Finance staff warned that the pro forma’s reserves decline in later years under some scenarios; Simeone said the model assumes conservative spending patterns and annual review. After discussion the committee said it would recommend the $1,500 proposed FY27 rate to City Council and asked staff to continue monitoring capacity and reserves.

The committee also instructed staff to research materials developments and procurement options and to return with findings before committing to a large, new study. The recommendation will be carried to City Council at its June 17 meeting; the committee will revisit materials and budget planning in future monthly meetings.