TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Referendum Questions Related to Borrowing Authority for Infrastructure Projects and the North Port Police Department Headquarters for the May 13, 2025, Special Election.
Recommended Action
Direct staff to bring back Ordinances establishing referendum questions related to borrowing authority for infrastructure projects and the North Port Police Department Headquarters for first reading on January 28, 2025.
Background Information
During the City Commission Workshop held on January 6, 2025, the City Commission discussed potential referendum questions related to borrowing authority. At the conclusion of their discussion, the Commission made the following consensuses:
Ø To direct the City Manager to move forward with seeking voter approval to allow borrowing for the North Port Police Department Headquarters in the amount of up to $115 million dollars (M).
Ø To direct the City Manager to move forward with seeking voter approval to allow borrowing for the three identified Capital Improvement Projects in the amount of up to $31M.
The three identified Capital Improvement Projects were as follows:
1. Solid Waste Transfer Station (CIP SW22TS)
a. Estimated cost $15M.
i. Funding available: $2.5M
ii. Funding gap: $12.5M
b. Development of the Solid Waste Transfer Station will allow increased efficiencies, reduce travel time and impacts on vehicles and equipment.
c. Without the development of a transfer station, the Solid Waste Division will need to hire additional staff and increase fleet size to support multiple trips to the landfill on daily basis.
2. Master Pumping Station and Force Main (CIP U28MPS)
a. Estimated cost: $3,350,000
i. Funding identified: None
ii. Funding gap: $3,350,000
b. Without development of the Master Pumping Station and Force Main, the Utilities Department may be unable to adequately support the needs of this growing area.
3. Effluent Pumping Station and Pipeline (CIP U23EPS)
a. Estimated cost: $16,000,000
i. Funding identified: $1,000,000
ii. Funding gap: $15,000,000
b. Current demand is reaching effluent capacity.
c. This pumping station and pipeline are needed to support future development.
d. During wet weather events, the pipeline does not meet current treatment flow needs.
Staff has reevaluated the Master Pumping Station and Force Main project in conjunction with financing timelines and recommends that this project should be removed. The removal of this project would reduce the requested borrowing authority from up to $31M to an amount up to $27.5M.
Accordingly, staff requests Commission direction to bring back Ordinances establishing referendum questions seeking borrowing authority in an amount up $115M for the Police Department Headquarters and borrowing authority for the designated Capital Improvement projects (Solid Waste Transfer Station and Effluent Pumping Station and Pipeline project) in an amount up to $27.5M, for first reading on January 28, 2025.
Strategic Plan
Good Governance
Safe Community
Infrastructure and Facilities Integrity
Financial Impact
To be determined.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments: None.
Prepared by: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
Department Director: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager