TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Approval of Projects for 2027 State and Federal Legislative Funding Consideration.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approval of projects for 2027 State and Federal legislative funding consideration, after discussion.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approval of projects for 2027 State and Federal legislative funding consideration, after discussion.
• Pros: Creates a Commission-approved list of projects to pursue through State and Federal legislative funding opportunities.
• Cons: Grants and Department staff must prepare applications and coordinate with funding partners.
Option 2: Allow City Manager to decide what to apply to for State and Federal legislative funding.
• Pros: City Commission time saved.
• Cons: City Commission does not weigh in on the priorities.
Option 3: Not consider any projects for State and Federal legislative funding.
• Pros: Avoids the application development and coordination associated with these specific funding requests.
• Cons: The City would not pursue potential State or Federal legislative funding opportunities for the identified projects.
Background Information
Each year, staff presents potential projects for the upcoming State and Federal legislative funding cycles for Commission consideration.
Key considerations for funding requests:
Ø State legislative funding amounts vary by program and legislative appropriation. Historically, many local funding requests have been $1 million or less; however, larger requests may be considered depending on the funding opportunity, project scope, and legislative priorities. Priority should be given to urgent, shovel-ready projects or projects nearing design completion.
Ø Federal funding involves stricter requirements, including bidding, permitting, and construction constraints, which can extend project timelines. Projects that have already gone through the City’s standard procurement process are not good candidates for federal funding.
Ø State and Federal funding requests typically require a local match or cost share, often at least 20%, depending on the funding source and program requirements.
For 2027, staff recommends using one consolidated list of priority projects to reduce duplication and allow each project to be evaluated and matched with the most appropriate State or Federal funding opportunity.
Staff suggested projects for discussion and consideration:
Ø Emergency Services Buildings and Equipment
Ø Warm Mineral Springs Connector Trail & Trailhead
Ø Water Control Structure Rehabilitation & Improvements
Ø Price Boulevard Widening Phase II
Ø Bridge Rehabilitation & Improvements
Ø Water and Sewer Service Expansion
Ø Solid Waste Facility Expansion
Ø Preservation of Environmental Lands
Legislative funding opportunities often have short application windows, typically one to two weeks, and eligibility criteria may vary each year. Having a Commission-approved project list allows staff to respond quickly when appropriate funding opportunities become available.
The following action items will be performed by the Grants Division staff after approval:
Ø Evaluate application guidelines once released.
Ø Collaborate with relevant Departments to prepare applications for eligible projects.
Ø Prioritize and submit no more than two to three applications for State funding and two to three applications for Federal funding, as appropriate, to focus staff resources and unnecessary internal competition.
Ø Notify the Commission via memo and additional agenda items regarding the projects submitted.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Good Governance
Financial Impact
Financial impacts will be presented with future agenda items for each specific project application.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Prepared by: Valerie Malingowski, CFM, CGMS, Grants Division Manager
Department Director: Kaitlyn Griffin, MPA, Performance & Accountability Officer