When Charlotte County Commissioners send their legislative delegation to Tallahassee on Nov. 20, it will seek $46 million in funding for various infrastructure projects and send letters of support for a school, nonprofit and water authority.
During Thursday’s regular and land-use meetings, commissioners decided to ask for the $2.5 million for flood monitoring and a response network. This is for the design and installation of a stormwater system elevation gage network, which will be a warning system to provide emergency response staff with the necessary tools in the event of potentially life-threatening flood events. The county will partner with the U.S. Geological Survey and monitor the Myakka River, Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay in addition to canals.
In addition, $4 million will be sought for the expansion of a central sewer system, which includes constructing central wastewater services to 2,172 properties with aging and failing septic tanks, and $12.6 million for the expansion of Harborview Road in Port Charlotte, a major evacuation roadway.
In an effort to renovate and expand Charlotte Sports Park, the legislative delegation will ask for $16 million for the stadium, which can be used for pre- and post-disaster staging and housing of volunteers and disaster response personnel. The county also will seek $3.5 million for an event plaza and activation space, which can be used as a staging area and/or distribution of critical supplies after a disaster.
To harden Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office’s 911 system, the legislative delegation will request $5 million.
Lastly, $2.4 million will be sought for intersection improvements, including turn lanes and a traffic signal mast arm at Flamingo Road and state Road 776 in Port Charlotte.
The county will provide its letter of support for the reconstruction of Port Charlotte Middle School, which was heavily damaged from Hurricane Ian. Charlotte County Public Schools is asking for an initial $30 million. It is unclear whether the school would be repaired or rebuilt, as it depends on how much funding will be available.
Letters of support also will be given to the Legislature for the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority’s request for a pipeline project and expansions of the regional transmission system. Also, it will support the authority’s request to fund an off-stream reservoir.
Recently added to the county’s legislative agenda is a letter of support for funding the Boys & Girls Club for construction of their Englewood club.
