County council backs state funding requests and $6.98M beach program budget

Andy Miller, Collier County’s Coastal Zone Manager, told the Tourist Development Council that staff must submit the county’s Local Government Funding Request (LGFR) applications to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to preserve eligibility for state cost-share on future beach renourishment projects. He framed the request as routine but time-sensitive because of a July 31 application deadline.

Miller also presented the proposed FY26–27 beach program budget and related projects, asking the board to approve a grant-application request totaling $6,977,900 and to adopt the 10‑year capital planning document for TDT Beach Renourishment and associated engineering funds. "The recommendation is to approve the tourist development council grant application request for Collier County for fiscal year 26–27 in the amount of $6,977,900," Miller said, and the council voted to approve the recommendation.

Miller described how local cost-share contributions are typically applied across county beaches, Marco Island and Wiggins Pass, noting percentage contributions and limitations at certain access points. A separate planning document was presented to outline projected budgets over five and 10 years; Miller characterized figures farther out as increasingly uncertain. Council members asked clarifying questions about timing and whether the state is likely to approve awards; Miller said he had a positive sense but that final action rests with FDEP.

The board adopted the resolution supporting submittal of LGFR applications, approved the FY26–27 budget request, and approved the 10‑year capital planning document, enabling the county to move forward with the state funding process.