NWFWMD Budget Reduces Tax Rates While Focusing on Natural Resource Protection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2014
CONTACT: NWFWMD Communications, (850) 539-2663 or Public.Information@yopmail.com

NWFWMD Budget Reduces Tax Rates While Focusing on Natural Resource Protection

HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District today submitted its proposed Tentative Budget for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 to Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature. The District’s proposed budget of $52.5 million reduces the millage rate for taxpayers and focuses on mission-critical projects, including springs protection; the development of minimum flows and levels; water supply development assistance to local communities; and protection of the Apalachicola River and Bay and St. Andrew Bay watersheds.

“Through this Tentative Budget, the District will continue to implement projects that will have a direct benefit to the communities and natural resources of Northwest Florida,” said Governing Board Chairman George Roberts. “This budget also reflects our commitment to protecting the environment without adding to the financial burden of our residents.”

The FY 2014-2015 Tentative Budget proposes levying the roll-back millage rate of .039, which is less than the 0.04 assessed in FY 2013-2014 and 22 percent below the constitutional and statutory cap of 0.05.

The District’s budget is comprised of a combination of ad valorem revenue, state and federal funding, and other revenues, including timber sales. The District will also continue to direct state revenue appropriated during prior fiscal years to fund key water resource protection projects.

The District continues its focus on core mission objectives of water supply, water quality, natural system protection and flood protection through numerous projects including:

• $8.2 million for springs restoration and protection projects. This includes more than $6.8 million in newly appropriated funding that was recommended by Governor Scott and appropriated by the Legislature during the 2014 Legislative Session to implement projects to improve the health of springs ecosystems throughout Northwest Florida.

• $2.4 million for the development of minimum flows and levels (MFLs). This funding will be used to help the District accomplish its ambitious schedule to develop MFLs—a major component of its overall effort to ensure the long-term protection and sustainability of Northwest Florida’s water resources. The District will move forward with intensive hydrologic, ecologic and water quality data collection that is vital to a successful MFL program.

• $15 million for water supply development assistance to local governments and non-profit utilities.  This includes $8 million for a new cycle of competitive grant funding designed to help communities in Northwest Florida meet local water supply challenges, building on the nearly $10 million in water supply grants awarded during the current Fiscal Year.

• $3.8 million for the protection and restoration of the Apalachicola River and Bay watershed. The District will continue to partner with state and local agencies to improve the health of this environmentally and economically important natural system, including the development of a hydrodynamic model that will help assess and evaluate potential actions to improve and maintain a healthy bay.

• $3.6 million for the restoration and protection of the St. Andrew Bay watershed. This includes grant funding assistance to local governments for water quality improvement activities, including four stormwater retrofits that will treat runoff generated from more than 500 acres of drainage area.

The District will hold two public hearings on the budget. The first will take place Thursday, September 11, 2014, at 5:05 p.m., ET, at the District’s Headquarters (81 Water Management Drive, Havana, FL). The second will be held Thursday, September 25, 2014, at 5:05 p.m., CT, in Panama City (Gulf Coast State College, Student Union Room 243, 5230 West U.S. Highway 98, Panama City, FL). The District’s Governing Board will vote to adopt the final budget at the September 25 meeting. Visit nwfwp.sgssys.info for more information.