Okaloosa County BOCC — January 19, 2016 — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Grant $127K — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: January 19, 2016 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Ed Schroeder SUBJECT: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Grant $127K DEPARTMENT: Tourist Development Department BCC DISTRICT: 2,4,5 STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request approval of the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Construction 2016-17 grant in the amount of $60,000 (FWC Agreement No. 15274), with a $67,000 matching contribution. BACKGROUND: The County has determined that constructing artificial reefs will promote tourism by offering diving, snorkeling, and fishing activities. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has awarded Okaloosa County $60,000 for the construction of an artificial reef approximately 450 ft south of the reef patch deployed at Fish Haven 13 under grant FWC-13243. The project will be utilizing Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and Eglin AFB donated concrete target materials. The County will be matching the grant with $67,000 in match funds remaining from grant FWC-13243. The grant award will be presented to the Tourist Development Council on January 13. OPTIONS: Approve or Disapprove RECOMMENDATION TO BCC: Request approval of the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Construction 2016-17 grant in the amount of $60,000 (FWC Agreement No. 15274), with a $67,000 matching contribution, and authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement and other grant documents as may be required during the term of the grant. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator