BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Some of the local requests from Bradford, Union and Clay counties made it into the state budget approved by the Florida Legislature at the end of its session earlier this month.
The $117.46 billion budget for 2024-25 is about $1.46 billion less than this year’s budget. Gov. Ron DeSantis could use his line-item veto to cut the final spending plan, but for now several significant local projects have been funded.
That includes the third phase of funding for the Union County Public Safety Complex. Union will receive another $6.935 million, bringing the total of this and last year’s appropriation to $13.87 million. The county previously received $3 million for the emergency operations and 911 center.
The public safety complex will combine EOC, 911, the jail and jail administration, and an alcohol blood testing unit.
Fire rescue in Union County was also awarded $2.25 million for a new station. The new facility would house emergency medical services, firefighting, forestry, community paramedicine and administration.
Rep. Chuck Brannan and Sen. Jennifer Bradley provided the results of the legislative requests, saying they were pretty successful getting projects funded throughout their districts. Several were in Bradford and Union counties.
Another public safety request was included for the town of Brooker, which had sought a new fire rescue station to reduce call response times in that portion of the county. It is slated to receive $506,096 for the station as well as $662,600 for a fire truck.
Bradford Fire Rescue had requested $950,000 to replace two firefighting vehicles in its aging fleet. It received half of that amount, $475,000.
Bradford County first responders will receive $1.25 million to replace critical radio communication equipment necessary to access the statewide law enforcement radio communication system as the state moves toward a new platform. (The request was $2.5 million.)
Starke is set to receive another $500,000 to improve and expand its drinking water system as part of a plan to attract and serve economic growth and development. (The request was $1 million.)
Hampton also has a water project funded at $550,000. According to the (originally $1.1 million) request, the funding will help renovate and rehabilitate the aging potable water facility, which has a failing backup well that needs to be replaced. A number of other improvements are needed to bring the system up to code, including installation of a new pump and electrical wiring, replacement of the chlorination tank, weather protection coverage and security.
The Arc of Bradford County was successful in its request for $500,000 to expand work opportunities for its clients. The funding will pay for two new full-time employees and 10 part-time employees to increase its workforce by 100%. It will also pay for new equipment and a vehicle to increase the capacity for more production and delivery of product, expanding work opportunities for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities or mental health issues.
Brannan said he and Bradley work in their respective chambers on behalf of the counties they represent, many of which they share. They also shared committee memberships in common this year. Each served as chair of criminal justice appropriations in their respective chambers, so they had an advantage helping fund those projects.
“I’m think probably we had more success than a lot of people. Of course, you know, this is all pending the governor’s signature,” he said.
Legislative funding requests from the Telegraph-Times-Monitor coverage area totaled nearly $46 million, but not all made the final list.
Some requests that did not make the cut include:
—Bradford County Emergency Operations Center, $8 million. According to the request, the current EOC is housed in a facility that falls short of meeting the hurricane safety standards required to respond to natural disasters and emergencies. The available workspace is also insufficient to accommodate the personnel and equipment required for efficient and coordinated response efforts during times of crisis.
—Starke Collection System Upgrades, $5 million. This would have helped pay for future phases of the wastewater collection system repair and rehabilitation which is currently underway. The city is under an environmental consent order to mitigate overflows of the sanitary sewer system and compliance violations for discharges into Alligator Creek.
—Starke Alligator Creek Discharge Elimination, $1 million. These were planning funds to evaluate alternatives for disposing of treated wastewater into the creek.
—Starke Historic District Upgrade to Improve Economic Opportunity, $5 million. A response to business lost to the bypass, this project reimagines downtown as a regional destination with a focus on interconnectivity with lakes, bike trails, public parks and local businesses. Funding would have upgraded the downtown water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure beneath the streets.
—Starke Emergency Operations Center and City Hall, $5 million. This would have been an opportunity to build a facility to house all city personnel and operations. (The request preceded the closure of the police department.)
—RJE Phase III, $900,911. Phase III would have continued the renovation of the historic Black high school.
—Keystone Heights Airport S.R. 100 Infrastructure, $3.5 million. This money would have added turn lanes, a new driveway and reconstructed the existing driveway.
—Camp Freedom Improvement Project, $267,243. The camp offers alternative treatment for active-duty service members and veterans suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. Amenities include, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities designed to build confidence within the group and to start an organic therapeutic conversation without the stigma of the traditional therapist or prescription of medications. Funds would have supported programs and provided capital outlay for an outdoor kitchen, walk-in cooler, fencing, barn roof repair a new pole barn, etc.
