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Town lobbyist outlines 2026 legislative wins including six local grants totaling $1,035,894
Summary
Ballard Partners’ Jeff Atwater briefed council on the signed 2026 state budget, the town’s successful requests (six projects funded at full request totaling $1,035,894) and the status of Amendment 3, which will appear on the November ballot and faces pending lawsuits over clarity of ballot language.
Jeff Atwater of Ballard Partners told the council that the 2026 state budget was passed and signed on June 29 and described how the town’s legislative priorities fared.
“At the end, six of our eight requests were funded at full ask,” Atwater said, listing projects and awarded amounts: $100,000 for A1A beach-frontage drainage, $169,100 for Alma’s Place drainage, $125,000 for Sawfish Bay Outfall, $241,794 for Seminole Basin water quality, $50,000 for high‑speed rail safety fencing, and $350,000 for the Tony Penn and Central Boulevard intersection—totaling $1,035,894.
Atwater also briefed the council on Amendment 3, explaining that the measure will appear on the November ballot, requires 60% to pass and currently faces lawsuits alleging unclear ballot language. He said litigation can require the attorney general to revisit title and summary language but cannot remove the measure from the ballot.
Councilors and staff thanked Atwater and recognized town staff and the council’s legislative liaison for coordinating the requests. Atwater emphasized the value of early coalition-building with neighboring agencies to frame projects as regional rather than purely local needs.
What happens next: staff will monitor any court activity related to Amendment 3 and follow up with additional legislative clarification requested by council.
