TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Funding Options for the Effluent Pumping Station and Pipeline Project (U23EPS).
Recommended Action
Option 1: Direct the City Manager to prioritize the evaluation of funding options for the Effluent Pumping Station and Pipeline Project (U23EPS) in the following order: First, the State Revolving Fund (SRF) option in collaboration with the West Villages Improvement District (WVID); Second, the Pay As You Go option; and to reject the Public-Private Partnership (P3) option in accordance with the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Section 2-420, Public-Private Partnerships (P3), subsection (7)b.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Direct the City Manager to prioritize the evaluation of funding options for the Effluent Pumping Station and Pipeline Project (U23EPS) in the following order: First, the State Revolving Fund (SRF) option in collaboration with the West Villages Improvement District (WVID); Second, the Pay As You Go option; and to reject the Public-Private Partnership (P3) option in accordance with the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Section 2-420, Public-Private Partnerships (P3), subsection (7)b.
• Pros: Provides clear direction to staff from the City Commission on prioritization of funding options.
• Cons: Results in the rejection of the proposed Public-Private Partnership (P3) option.
Option 2: The City Commission provide an alternate ranking list of funding options for the Effluent Pumping Station and Pipeline Project (U23EPS).
• Pros: Staff efforts to secure funding for project will align directly with Commission ranking prioritization.
• Cons: Alternative funding option ranking may result in higher overall project cost.
Background Information
The following provides a chronological order of events regarding the Effluent Pumping Station and Pipeline Project (U23EPS):
Ø July 8, 2025: During the City Commission Regular Meeting, the Commission considered an unsolicited Public-Private Partnership (P3) conceptual proposal submitted by Florida Development Solutions, LLC (FDS). The proposal encompasses three capital projects: the Police Department Headquarters Facility, Solid Waste Transfer Station, and Wastewater Treatment Facility.
At the conclusion of their discussion regarding the proposal for the Wastewater Treatment Facility, the City Commission approved the following motion:
1. Motion: To direct the City Manager to move forward with Option 2, accepting the P3 conceptual proposal for substantive review, providing written notification to the private entity regarding the anticipated timeframe required for the City to complete a comprehensive review of the unsolicited P3 conceptual proposal for the Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Ø May 27, 2025: During the City Commission Regular Meeting, funding options for the Effluent Pumping Station and Pipeline Project (U23EPS) were discussed. At the conclusion of their discussion, the Commission approved the following motion:
1. Motion: To direct the City Manager to explore Certificates of Participation (COPS), Public-Private Partnerships (P3), including West Villages option, State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loans, and increasing fund balance reserves for this project.
Staff has completed their review of the P3 proposal and other possible funding options for the Effluent Pumping Station and Pipeline Project (U23EPS) as outlined in the attached presentation.
Per the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Section 2-420, Public-Private Partnerships (P3), subsection (7) states: Upon completing its review of the P3 conceptual proposal, the city will notify the private entity in writing of the city's position regarding the proposed project. The city manager may:
a. Decide not to pursue the proposed project;
b. Decide to pursue the proposed project or a similar project, using other procurement methods (which, if open to private companies, the private entity may compete if otherwise qualified); or
c. Decide to continue considering the proposed project under the P3 statute and request that the private entity submit an unsolicited P3 detailed proposal. Such a request does not constitute a formal P3 solicitation, and a responsive proposal is subject to section 2-420(c).
Strategic Plan Pillar
Infrastructure & Facilities Integrity
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Presentation
2. FDS P3 Proposal
3. U23EPS Funding Strategy Memo
Prepared by: Tricia Wisner, Interim Utilities Director
Department Director: Tricia Wisner, Interim Utilities Director