SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the recommended Penny for Pinellas project list, as revised for fiscal years 2021/2022 through 2029/2030.
Body
SUMMARY:
On March 6, 1997, the City Council adopted Ordinance 6137-97. The ordinance established the requirement for a special hearing prior to adoption of the capital improvement budget to discuss the use of Penny for Pinellas tax, and at any time in which there is any proposed change to the Penny for Pinellas project funding of $500,000 or more.
Changes to Penny for Pinellas projects that meet this criterion in the proposed 2021/22 capital improvement budget and six-year plan include the following:
• Fire Engines/Ladder Truck Replacement - The funding for this project is being reduced by a total of $350,300 due to recognizing the allocation of Fire Tax revenues from the county for fire services provided in unincorporated areas of the Clearwater Fire District. This funding is being reallocated to the City Hall project in fiscal year 2021/2022 to provide funding to respond to location studies, site surveys and/or property valuations if opportunities are presented in advance of construction funding which is available in fiscal year 2024/25.
• Public Safety Vehicle/Equipment Facility - This project with total funding of $1,500,000 is being separated into two separate projects, Fire Vehicle/Equipment Facility and Police Vehicle/Equipment Facility, budgeted at $750,000 each. These new projects, funded in fiscal year 2021/2022, are created to provide for location specific storage of the Fire and Police department’s oversized vehicles.
• Aviation Operations Center - The funding for this project, which provides for construction of a new operation center at the Clearwater Airpark facility, is being postponed to fiscal year 2026/2027.
• Sand Key Bridge Replacement Fund - This project, with total funding of $22,000,000 planned for fiscal years 2026/2027 through 2029/2030, is being eliminated from the project list due to an updated replacement timeline now estimated for 2070.
• Waterfront/Bluff Masterplan (Imagine Clearwater) - This project is being increased by $22,000,000 to provide additional funding needed for construction of the Imagine Clearwater waterfront/bluff redevelopment plan. This funding will be available in fiscal years 2026/2027 through 2029/2030.