Okaloosa County BOCC — October 6, 2015 — Support for option to bond RESTORE funds — reading text

From: Jim Muller To: Alan Pierce (alanp@franklincountyflorida.com); Andrew P Squires (asquires@pinellascounty.org); Betsy Barfield (bbarfield@jeffersoncountyfl.gov); charlie.hunsicker@mymanatee.org; "donnafiala@colliergov.net"; dustin.hinkel@taylorcountygov.com; Fred Moody (moody-fred@levycounty.org); Kelly Windes; Ken Cheek (Ken.Cheek@citrusbocc.fl.us); LSossamon@hernandocounty.us; "lwreford@scgov.net"; McAlpinGary; Mike Cassidy (dixiecm51@bellsouth.net); pbarwick@jeffersoncountyfl.gov; Tim Alexander (tim.alexander@dixieemergency.com); tomhenning@colliergov.net; Warren Yeager (wyeager@gulfcounty- fl.gov); Billy Williams; "cfranklin@pascocountyfl.net"; Collier, Mindy; Finley, Wayne; Glen Salyer (gsalyer@leegov.com); Keith Wilkins (KTWILKIN@myescambia.com); Kelli Levy (klevy@pinellascounty.org); Kurt Harclerode (kharclerode@leegov.com); Larry Jones; Lynn Lanier (llanier@gulfcounty-fl.gov); maggie.marr@mymanatee.org; Melinda Gates; Mendes, Jessica; PE Roger Blaylock (rogerb@santarosa.fl.gov); Rick Owen; "rottolini@leegov.com"; Salmon, Robert; Sheila Fitzgerald; Shelly Marshall (smarshall@co.escambia.fl.us); Sheree Keeler; Shoemaker, Kelly; Tennyson-Lisa (Tennyson- Lisa@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov); wagnerb@hillsboroughcounty.org Cc: Bob Majka; Terrell K. Arline; "Erin Deady"; "Sarah Bleakley" Subject: ! by 9/17, support for option to bond RESTORE funds - reply by Friday, Sept.17, 3 pm CT Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 3:19:31 PM Attachments: Finance Alt Corres 091615 v2b.docx RESTORE Financing Alts 091615 Final2.pdf Importance: High Actions needed by Friday, Sept. 17, 3 pm CT: review of attached materials by each Florida Gulf coastal county, each county decides whether it wishes to sign on, and each signing county provide name and title of the county’s signatory DO NOT “reply all”. This issue could come before the Consortium for action at a future time, and some on this distribution list are Consortium directors. Reportedly the BP Deepwater Horizon settlement language will be finalized soon. It is likely that the payout of RESTORE Act funds will be as proposed in the settlement in principle – level funding metered out over 15 years. Multiple counties have indicated that they would like the option of using bonds or a similar process to access the funds more rapidly. Reasons include being able to implement significant projects more quickly and reduction of administrative costs by not having to administer federal RESTORE grants over 15 years. It may be advantageous to have this option recognized in the settlement agreement, either in a general discussion or a preamble. This could make it easier to take whatever future actions are needed to secure this capability. Attached is a letter to Florida Gulf coast U.S. Representatives and Florida’s U.S. Senators outlining why a bonding-like option is a good idea and providing examples of other federal grant programs where this was allowed. Also attached is an internal memo for counties’ use that provides additional information. This internal memo will not accompany the signed letter. If your county supports consideration of a bonding-like option for RESTORE funds, please indicate this in a reply to jmuller@baycountyfl.gov Please provide the county signatory’s name and position at the county. For expediency, we will list the signatories rather than cutting and pasting signatures (“signatures waived to expedite delivery”). We will also adjust the list of Representatives and will only include those who represent counties that sign the letter. I will provide a copy of the final letter to all on this email distribution list. You may then want to share the letter with others that are involved in Gulf restoration activities. This is just the first step in what could be a lengthy effort. You will also have an opportunity to comment during the public comment period after the settlement language is released. However, I believe the sooner this issue is raised, and by more people, the more likely that we will succeed. Please call or email me if you have questions. I apologize for the very short timeframe, but feel that this is an opportunity we don’t want to pass up. Jim Muller Bay County RESTORE Act Coordinator 840 W. 11th Street Panama City, FL 32401 www.baycountyfl.gov/restore 850.248.8253 Mobile 850.866.6850 Please Note: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.