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County green-lights grant applications and phased park work; FM dredging amendment approved
Summary
Taylor County approved submitting RIP grant applications (hangar construction and a $1.5M federal channel dredging match), authorized grant actions for FRDAP and Restore/LWCF coordination for Haj Park, and approved Amendment One to an FM grant for survey/design/dredging work after contaminant discovery; staff will pursue matches and advertise as needed.
Taylor County commissioners authorized several grant and project actions June 16 aimed at coastal recovery, park improvements and airport infrastructure.
Grants writer Melody (staff) asked permission to apply for the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) for a shovel-ready project at Steen Hatche Coastal Park (up to $200,000, no state match required) and to pursue a federal coastal partnership match if awarded. The board approved moving forward and holding required public hearings.
Because the Rural Infrastructure Program (RIP) funding cycle moved up, staff requested approval to submit two applications by the July 18 deadline: (1) construction of aircraft hangars at Perry Bowie Airport (to match FDOT hanger funding that now requires a county match), and (2) a request for a $1.5 million cost-share for a federal channel dredging project. Commissioners approved submittal for both projects and understood matching and eligibility issues would be resolved as part of application work.
Separately, the board approved Amendment One to a FM grant agreement (C151, $550,000 amendment) to extend work and add additional survey, design and dredging tasks at Keaton Beach, Steen Hatchee basin, Dickler Beach, Dark Island and Cedar Island. Staff said the amendment and added surveys were necessary after arsenic was discovered in some areas and that additional sampling and engineering were underway.
To protect federal/state LWCF and Restore Act funding for Haj (Hampton) Park, staff asked the board to allow phased work: construct two picnic pads, a volleyball court, and staged playground pieces using available Restore Act funds and smaller LWCF-eligible items to meet an August deliverable. Staff emphasized restrooms are still a Restore Act priority and discussed interim trailer restrooms as a temporary solution; the board approved breaking the scope into deliverable elements and directed staff to proceed with the phased implementation and required grant amendments.
The combined approvals position the county to pursue near-term grant opportunities and to continue design and remediation work where contaminants were found, while moving limited park improvements forward under Restore/LWCF rules.
