Okaloosa County BOCC — June 7, 2016 — Approval of FY 2017 Defense Infrastructure Grant Application — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: June 7, 2016 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Elliot Kampert SUBJECT: Approval of FY 2017 Defense Infrastructure Grant Application DEPARTMENT: Growth Management BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Apply for FY 2017 Defense Infrastructure Grant to acquire land along the Shoal River to buffer Eglin Reservation and Duke Field from encroachment and protect the Shoal River and future potable water supply. BACKGROUND: Funds have become available through the Defense Infrastructure Grant (DIG) program as provided in Section Chapter 280.980 of the Florida Statutes. The purpose of the DIG program is to provide funds to local governments for projects (e.g. construction, land purchases, easements) that have a positive impact on an installation’s military value and which also benefit the local community. It is the intention of the program to address issues such as encroachment, transportation and access, utilities, communications, housing, environment, and security. Infrastructure related projects can include studies and analyses specifically in support of infrastructure projects. It is not the intent of the Florida Legislature to fund on-base military construction projects. There is a limit of $300,000.00 per application, and communities may submit an application for two projects per base or installation. The application deadline is June 10, 2016 The attached application requests $300,000 to be used by Okaloosa County to acquire property along the Shoal River that will protect a future water supply as well as buffer Duke Field from encroachment that could negatively impact missions. The attached application builds on previous Shoal River DIG applications as well as the Water and Sewer Department's prior acquisition of land along the Shoal River. OPTIONS: The Board may approve or deny submittal of the application. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board review and approve the proposed FY17 Defense Infrastructure Grant application, and authorize the Chairman to sign the grant application and for the Contracts and Grants Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court to submit the application to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and, if the application is successful, authorize the Chairman to sign the grant agreement any other grant documents required during the term of the grant. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator