Okaloosa County BOCC — March 17, 2015 — 2016 Defense Infrastructure Grant Application — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: March 17, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Elliot Kampert SUBJECT: 2016 Defense Infrastructure Grant Application DEPARTMENT: Growth Management BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Apply for 2015 Defense Infrastructure Grants for Shoal River Buffer 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. Applications must be submitted to Enterprise Florida through the Economic Development Council. The application deadline is March 19, 2015 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. In addition, it shows a $300,000 match which we anticipate receiving through the Department of Defense's Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative program. 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 Defense Infrastructure Grant application, and authorize the Chairman to sign the grant application and if successful, the subsequent grant agreement and any other grant documents required during the term of the grant. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator