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 the Use of Surtax Funds for the Funding of the Police Department Headquarters Project.
Recommended Action
Discussion and possible action.
Background Information
The City of North Port is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Our population totals are nearing 90,000 with more and more arriving daily. The City of North Port was ranked No. 21 on Southern Living Magazine’s list of The South’s Best Cities on the Rise for 2024. The initial list pointed to Warm Mineral Springs, the Myakka State Forest, and the emerging Downtown Wellen Park as main draws. MoneyGeek placed North Port No. 1 on its list of “Most Up and Coming Small Cities in the U.S.,” and No. 7 on its list of “15 Most Affordable and Safe Small Cities.” With a five-year population growth of 28.4%, North Port was the fastest-growing city on the Up-and-Coming list.
The growth of the City has presented a great deal of excitement but also comes with challenges. The North Port Police Department outgrew their space originally built in 2006. Police leadership is already working on acquiring portable units to provide some spatial relief for the current Police Department Headquarters. In 2023, the City Commission approved the purchase of land for the new Police Department Headquarters, approximately 19 acres near the Toledo Blade Boulevard and I-75 Interchange. Architect and design work have the new facility price range from $122M to $100M, depending on the final model selection.
City staff has worked through various funding options and one source proposed to the City Commission is using $50M in Surtax IV funding to help offset the cost. The rationale for this suggestion is to relieve the amount of financial burden that comes with general obligation bonds and a millage rate increase to pay for them. City staff has heard from multiple parties within the North Port Area Chamber of Commerce (NPACC) that using Surtax on this project, at the cost of delaying the Price Widening Phase 2 Project, from Sumter Boulevard to Biscayne Drive, from years 2035-2039 to the beginning of Surtax V in year 2040, should not be done.
Our business community is growing rapidly as well and we appreciate the opinions and feedback from NPACC, who represents the voice of our business community. The City values the relationship with NPACC, so the City Manager suggested a meeting of the two Boards to publicly answer any questions and concerns with the proposed use of Surtax IV funds for the new proposed Police Headquarters. This meeting and discussion should aid the Commission in the upcoming choices on moving forward with the project.
Strategic Plan
Good Governance
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