Month: February 2017

SWFMIA Local Government Agenda Items for the Week of February 27, 2017

• Lee County No Meetings

• City of Cape Coral Monday the 27^th @ 4:30PM

  No issues

• City of Fort Myers No Meetings

• Town of Fort Myers Beach No Meetings

• City of Sanibel No Meetings

• City of Bonita Springs Wednesday the 1^st @ 5:30pm

  No issues

• Village of Estero Wednesday the 1^st @ 9:30pm

  No issues

•  Charlotte County Tuesday the 28^th @ 9:00am

  No issues

• City of Punta Gorda Wednesday the 1^st @ 9:00am

  A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Punta Gorda, Florida, as Local Host Agency for the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, authorizing submission of a grant application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for National Estuary Program Annual Funding; authorizing the City Manager to sign the grant application and administer the grant on behalf of the City; appropriating grant award; and providing an effective date.

  Nominations
  Punta Gorda Isles Canal Advisory Committee

• Sarasota County Tuesday the 28^th and Wednesday the 1^st @ 9:am

  Tuesday

  To adopt a resolution amending the Sarasota County Fiscal Year 2017-2021 Capital Improvement Program (Resolution No. 2016-141) to add the Myakka Big Waters – MROB Project No. 85636;

  To adopt a resolution, Budget Amendment No. B2017-015, amending the Fiscal Year 2017 budget to appropriate funding for the Myakka Big Waters – MROB project, in the amount of $2,515,900.00;

  To adopt a resolution authorizing execution of a contract with Myakka Big Waters, Inc. for the purchase of approximately 2.2 acres of real property located at 121 Plamore Drive, Venice, in the amount of $2,000,000.00, authorizing execution of a concession agreement with Myakka River Oyster Bar, Inc. to provide concessionaire services, and authorizing the County Administrator, or designee, to execute all documents to complete the transaction and modify time limits and closing date.

  Wednesday
  No issues

• City of North Port Tuesday the 28^th @ 6:00pm

  No issues

• City of Sarasota No Meetings

• City of Venice Tuesday the 28^th @ 9:00am

  No issues

• Town of Longboat Key No Meetings

• Manatee County Thursday the 2^nd @ 9;00am

  No issues

• City of Anna Maria Thursday the 23^rd @ 6:00pm (Last Week)

  City Pier RFP Update – Mayor

• City of Bradenton Beach No Meetings

• City of Bradenton No Meetings

• City of Holmes Beach Tuesday the 28^th @6:00pm  

  No issues

• City of Palmetto Monday the 27^th @ 7:00pm

  No issues

• Hillsborough County Wednesday the 1^st @ 9:00am

  No issues

• Plant City Monday the 27^th @ 7:30pm

  No issues

• City of Tampa Thursday the 2nd @ 9:00am

  Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest a license and hold harmless agreement between the City of Tampa, as licensor, and Benjamin G. and Renee S. Walker, as licensees, for the construction and operation of a dock on and over submerged lands owned and held by the City in the vicinity of 8002 N. Highland Avenue; providing for an effective date.

• City of Temple Terrace No Meetings

• Pinellas County No Meetings

• Town of Belleair No Meetings

• City of Belleair Beach No Meetings

• City of Belleair Bluffs No Meetings

• City of Clearwater Monday the 27^th @ 1:00pm

  No issues

• City of Gulfport No Meetings

• City of Indian Rocks Beach No Meetings

• Town of Indian Shores No Meetings

• City of Largo Tuesday the 28^th @ 4:00pm

  No issues

• City of Madeira Beach No Meetings

• Town of North Redington Beach No Meetings

• City of Oldsmar No Meetings 

• City of Pinellas Park No Meetings

• Town of Redington Shores No Meetings

• City of Safety Harbor No Meetings

• City of Seminole Monday the 28^th @ 6:00pm

  No issues

• City South Pasadena No Meetings

• City of St. Pete Beach Tuesday the 28^th @ 6:00pm

  No issues

• City of St. Petersburg Thursday the 2^nd @ 8:30am

  Preconstruction services for the new pier
  http://www.stpete.org/agenda%20packets/2017-03-02%20Council%20Agenda.pdf#%5B%7B%22num%22%3A104%2C%22gen%22%3A0%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22XYZ%22%7D%2C69%2C735%2C0%5D

• City of Tarpon Springs No Meetings

• City of Treasure Island No Meetings|

• Southwest Florida Water Management District Tuesday the 28^th @ 10:00AM

  No issues

• South Florida Water Management No Meetings

• WCIND No Meetings 

SWFMIA local government agenda items for the week of February 20, 2017

• Lee County Tuesday the 21^st @ 9:30am

  Approve Additional Nuisance Vegetation and Debris Removal Work on the Orange River

  Allows Woods & Wetlands, who is currently performing work on the Orange River, to remove nuisance vegetation and debris for an additional 8,255 lf up to the River’s intersection with Harns Marsh, thus restoring the flow in that area. (#20170030-NATURAL RESOURCES)

• City of Cape Coral No Meetings

• City of Fort Myers Tuesday the 21^st @ 4:30pm

  No issues

• Town of Fort Myers Beach Tuesday the 21^st @ 6:30pm

  No issues

• City of Sanibel No Meetings

• City of Bonita Springs No Meetings

• Village of Estero No Meetings

• Charlotte County No Meetings

• City of Punta Gorda No Meetings

• Sarasota County No Meetings

• City of North Port No Meetings

• City of Sarasota Tuesday the 21^st @ 2:30pm

  Approval Re: Authorize the Mayor and City Auditor and Clerk to execute the Subgrant Agreements between the City of Sarasota and Sarasota County, pertaining to the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) Waterway Development Program Project Agreements (Project No. S-327) for Marine Patrol in the amount of $100,000.00, and (Project No. S-314) for Derelict Vessel Removal in the amount of $20,000.00 – Presenter(s): Police Department Finance Manager Meadows
  http://sarasota.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=70&event_id=2449&meta_id=497626

  Approval Re: Authorize the Mayor and City Auditor and Clerk to execute the Subgrant Agreement between the City of Sarasota and Sarasota County, pertaining to the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) Waterway Development Program Project Agreement (Project No. S-331) for the 10th Street Boat Ramp and Basin Dredging in the amount of $200,000.00 – Presenter(s): Senior Utilities Engineer Nichols
  http://sarasota.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=70&event_id=2449&meta_id=497571

  Presentation and Discussion Re: Proposed Water Taxi Permit request by TevaTan, LLC – Presenter(s): Parking General Manager Lyons
  http://sarasota.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=70&event_id=2449&meta_id=497620

• City of Venice No Meetings

• Town of Longboat Key Tuesday the 21^st @ 1:00pm

  No issues

• Manatee County No Meetings

• City of Anna Maria Thursday the 23^rd @ 6:00pm

• Agenda not posted will check back next week

• City of Bradenton Beach No Meetings

• City of Bradenton Wednesday the 22^nd @ 6:00pm

  Agreement with Waterfront Property Services for annual maintenance dredging services.

  Public Event: DeSoto Heritage Fest Bottle Boat Regatta on April 8 at Palma Sola Causeway.

• City of Holmes Beach No Meetings  

• City of Palmetto No Meetings

• Hillsborough County No Meetings

• Plant City No Meetings

• City of Tampa Thursday the 23^rd @ 9:00am

  No issues

• City of Temple Terrace Tuesday the 21^st @ 6:00pm

  No issues

• Pinellas County Tuesday the 21^st @ 2:00pm

  Dock Fee Report for the month of January 2017.
  https://pinellas.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=4972154&GUID=DDE61A55-3DDE-464C-B9AB-71D5D27A998C

• Town of Belleair Tuesday the 21^st @ 6:00pm

  No issues

• City of Belleair Beach Tuesday the 21^st @ 4:30pm

  No issues

• City of Belleair Bluffs No Meetings

• City of Clearwater No Meetings

• City of Gulfport Tuesday the 21^st @ 7:00pm

  2017-18: A resolution of the City of Gulfport, Florida, providing for a budget amendment to account for the funding sources for the city’s mooring field project; and providing for an effective date.
  Item #7- a – Memorandum
  Item #7-a – Resolution

• City of Indian Rocks Beach No Meetings

• Town of Indian Shores No Meetings

• City of Largo Tuesday the 14^th @ 4:00pm (Last Week)

  No issues

• City of Madeira Beach Tuesday the 14^th @ 6:00pm (Last Week)

  No issues

• Town of North Redington Beach No Meetings

• City of Oldsmar Tuesday the 21^st @ 7:00pm  

  No issues

• City of Pinellas Park Thursday the 23^rd @ 7:30pm

  No issues

• Town of Redington Shores No Meetings

• City of Safety Harbor Monday the 20^th @ 7:30pm

  No issues

• City of Seminole No Meetings

• City South Pasadena No Meetings

• City of St. Pete Beach No Meetings

• City of St. Petersburg No Meetings

• City of Tarpon Springs Tuesday the 21^st @ 6:30pm

  No issues

• City of Treasure Island Tuesday the 21^st @ 6:00pm

  Agenda not posted will check back next week

• Southwest Florida Water Management District No Meetings

• South Florida Water Management No Meetings

• WCIND No Meetings

Industry Forum: Marine Thefts & Break-ins

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15TH — VENICE COMMUNITY CENTER

Thefts of boats, engines, electronics and parts has reached epidemic proportions on the west coast of Florida. It seems every week we receive new reports of members suffering a break-in or loss.

In Lee County, partially due to the efforts of SWFMIA, the Sheriff has appointed a full-time detective to investigate marine related crimes. To our knowledge, Lee is the first Florida county to take this action. Thank you Sheriff Scott! We hope others will soon follow suit.

We recently met with Detective Tim Galloway, and Lt. Chris Nyce, the head of Lee County’s Marine Unit, to kick around ideas. They are anxious to work more closely with the marine industry. We must continue to improve communications within our member businesses and with Law Enforcement on a local and regional level. We must help each other by sharing information. What are marinas and retailers doing to protect their businesses? What can SWFMIA do to be a better conduit of information? What is Law Enforcement doing to address the problem and what can we do to help them? What can manufacturers do to strengthen security measures at their level?

Our first step is to bring Law Enforcement and the Industry together to discuss the problem and establish better working relationships with each other. That will happen on Wednesday, March 15th at the Venice Community Center (it’s about in the middle of our membership base between Collier County and the Tampa Bay area). 

We expect strong region-wide representation from local, county and state law enforcement. Every marina, dealer and retailer in the marine industry must be there as well. We also want to encourage boat, engine, and electronics manufacturers to attend and need the help of our members to spread the word. Please contact and invite your representatives and stress what a unique opportunity for dialogue this will be. We are already reaching out to Law Enforcement Agencies but please feel free to pass the word to any personal contacts you may have as well.

We are working on an agenda and welcome any suggestions. SWFMIA is hosting the event and will provide lunch for all attendees. Space is somewhat limited and RSVP’s are required. E-mail laura@swfmia.com with company name and names of attendees. 

INDUSTRY FORUM Wednesday, March 15th
VENICE COMMUNITY CENTER – 326 South Nokomis Avenue, Venice, FL 34285
10:00AM – 11:15AM LAW ENFORCEMENT
11:30AM – 3:00PM LAW ENFORCEMENT & MARINE INDUSTRY

RSVP REQUIRED: laura@swfmia.com

ABYC Marine Systems Certification

This 4 day course is designed for the marine professional with at least 3 – 5 years’ experience working with marine systems design, installation or repair and will provide the student with a comprehensive and focused look at the key ABYC standards. The successful certification candidate should have some familiarity with ABYC standards.

Course registration fee:
ABYC Member price: $985
Non-Member price: $1,270
*Price includes Study Guide and lunch each day

The new certification requirements are in effect for this course. For more information click HERE (http://abyc.site-ym.com/page/CertProgram).

Topics Covered:
Potable water systems
Marine sanitation systems
Tankage
Hull piping
Electrical installations
Compressed gas for cooking and heating
Air conditioning and refrigeration systems
Fuel systems (gas and diesel)
Steering and control systems
Accessory control systems
Fire protection systems
General knowledge and boatyard etiquette. (Addresses specific tool usage and precision measurement)

Standards Covered: 

ABYC Standards

A-4, Fire Fighting Equipment
A-6, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment
A-24, Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems on Boats
E-11, AC and DC Electrical Systems on Boats
H-22, Electric Bilge Pump Systems
H-23, Water Systems for Use on Boats
H-27, Seacocks, Thru-hull Fittings, and Drain Plugs
H-24, Gasoline Fuel Systems
H-25, Portable Gasoline Fuel Systems
H-32, Ventilation of Boats Using Diesel
H-33, Diesel Fuel Systems
P-1, Installation of Exhaust Systems for Propulsion and Auxiliary Engines
P-14, Mechanical Propulsion Control Systems
P-24, Electric/Electronic Propulsion Control Systems
Code of Federal Regulations
33 CFR 183

Visit http://abycinc.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=927988&group for more details and registration. Online registration is available until April 21, 2017.

SWFMIA local government agenda items for the week of February 13, 2017

• Lee County No Meetings

• City of Cape Coral No Meetings 

• City of Fort Myers No Meetings

• Town of Fort Myers Beach No Meetings

• City of Sanibel No Meetings

• City of Bonita Springs Wednesday the 15^th @ 9:00am 

  No issues

• Village of Estero Wednesday the 15^th @ 9:30am

  No issues

• Charlotte County Tuesday the 14^th @ 9:00am

  Gulf Cove Waterway Benefit Unit is seeking one member to fill a vacant unexpired term through 10/31/2018.

  Harbour Heights Waterway Benefit Unit is seeking one member to fill a vacant unexpired term through October 31, 2018. 

  Northwest Port Charlotte Waterway Unit is seeking one member to fill a vacant unexpired term. The length of the term will be drawn at the next regular MSBU Advisory Board meeting.

  Appointment – Gulf Cove Waterway MSBU Advisory Board
  Approve the appointment of Mr. Leon Demere to fill a 2 year vacant term on the Gulf Cove Waterway MSBU Advisory Board effective immediately with term expiring October 31, 2018.

  Appointment – Marine Advisory Committee
  Approve the appointment of the Marine Advisory Committee’s recommendation of Mr. Garland Wilson, as member-at-large on the Charlotte County Marine Advisory Committee. Mr. Wilson will fill the unexpired term of the late Mr. Jay Buckley. The term is effective immediately and will expire on December 31, 2018. Pursuant to the ByLaws of the Marine Advisory Committee, the committee members met with the individuals who applied for the position and voted by ballot. The result was previous member, Mr. Garland Wilson. (Mr. Wilson served as the representative to the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club and is no longer a member of such). MAC recommendation, draft minutes, application and resume are attached for your consideration.

  Appointment – Pirate Harbor Waterway MSBU Advisory Board
  Approve the appointment of Lynn McCulloch to the Pirate Harbor Waterway MSBU Advisory Board to fill a vacant, unexpired three year term expiring October 31, 2019.

  Manatee Protection Plan
  Approve submission of the draft Charlotte County Manatee Protection Plan to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for review and approval.

• City of Punta Gorda Wednesday the 15^th @ 9:00am

  Vacancies
  Punta Gorda Isles Canal Advisory Committee

• Sarasota County No Meetings

• City of North Port Tuesday the 14^th @ 1:00pm

  No issues

• City of Sarasota No Meetings

• City of Venice Tuesday the 14^th @ 9:00am

  Disposal of Two Outboard Motors
  Accept Funds from West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND)
  Waterway Development Program, Project #S-330 for Police Department
  Marine Patrol in the Amount of $90,000

• Town of Longboat Key No meetings

• Manatee County No Meetings

• City of Anna Maria No Meetings

• City of Bradenton Beach Thursday the 16^th @ 12:00pm

  First Reading and Public Hearing of Ordinance 17-479 (Marine Anchorage & Mooring Field)

• City of Bradenton No Meetings

• City of Holmes Beach Tuesday the 14^th @ 6:00pm  

  No issues

• City of Palmetto No Meetings

• Hillsborough County Wednesday the 15^th @ 9:00am

  Approve the third amendment to use agreement with the Tampa Bypass Canal Rowing Council Inc. (Rowing Council), extending the term of the agreement through September 19, 2021. The amendment enables the Rowing Council to continue managing and scheduling rowing events at the Tampa Bypass Canal/Harney Park site. There are no additional costs associated with this amendment.

  Adopt the Board Policy on the Coastal Canal Grant Program to promote proper functioning of coastal navigable canals/waterways within unincorporated Hillsborough County. Funds are available in the adopted FY 17 budget for this program.
  http://agenda.hillsboroughcounty.org/cache/00003/836/B-15.pdf

• Plant City Monday the 13^th @ 7:30pm

  No issues

• City of Tampa Thursday the 16^th @ 9:00am

  Agenda not posted will check back next week

• City of Temple Terrace No Meetings

• Pinellas County No Meetings

• Town of Belleair No Meetings

• City of Belleair Beach No Meetings

• City of Belleair Bluffs No Meetings

• City of Clearwater Monday the 13^th @ 1:00pm

  No issues

• City of Gulfport No Meetings

• City of Indian Rocks Beach Tuesday the 14^th @ 7:00pm

  No issues

• Town of Indian Shores Tuesday the 14^th @ 5:00pm

  No issues

• City of Largo No Meetings

• City of Madeira Beach Tuesday the 14^th@ 6:00pm

  No issues

• Town of North Redington Beach No Meetings

• City of Oldsmar No Meetings  

• City of Pinellas Park No Meetings

• Town of Redington Shores No Meetings

• City of Safety Harbor No Meetings

• City of Seminole Tuesday the 14^th @ 6:00pm

  No issues

• City South Pasadena Tuesday the 14^th @ 7:00pm

  No issues

• City of St. Pete Beach Tuesday the 14^th @ 6:00pm

  No issues

• City of St. Petersburg Thursday the 16^th @ 3:00pm

  A resolution of the City Council of the City of St. Petersburg, Florida authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $2,545,000 Non-Ad Valorem Revenue Note, Series 2017A to finance the acquisition, construction, reconstruction and equipping of various capital improvements to the City’s marina, and to pay associated transactional costs and not to exceed $3,290,000 Non-Ad Valorem Refunding Revenue Note, Series 2017B to refund the City’s outstanding loan related to First Florida Governmental Financing Commission Improvement and Refunding Revenue Bonds, series 2007, and to pay associated transactional costs; providing that such notes shall be limited obligations of the City payable solely from Non-Ad Valorem Revenues budgeted and appropriated as provided herein; providing for the rights, securities and remedies for the owners of such notes; designating an Escrow Agent and approving the form of and authorizing the execution of an Escrow Deposit Agreement; making certain covenants and agreements in connection therewith.

  Resolution authorizing a license agreement with the National Caravan Stage Company to utilize submerged lands in the western basin of Bayboro Harbor for anchoring the Caravan Theater Tall Ship
  http://www.stpete.org/agenda%20packets/2017-02-16%20Council%20Agenda.pdf#%5B%7B%22num%22%3A161%2C%22gen%22%3A0%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22XYZ%22%7D%2C69%2C735%2C0%5D

• City of Tarpon Springs No Meetings

• City of Treasure Island No Meetings

• Southwest Florida Water Management District No Meetings

• South Florida Water Management No Meetings

• WCIND No Meetings

SWFMIA local government agenda items for the week of February 6, 2017

• Lee County Tuesday the 7th @ 9:30am

  No issues

• City of Cape Coral Monday the 6th @ 4:30PM

  No issues

• City of Fort Myers Monday the 6th @ 4:30pm

  No issues

• Town of Fort Myers Beach Monday the 6th @ 2:00pm

  No issues

• City of Sanibel Tuesday the 7th @ 9:00am

  No issues

• City of Bonita Springs No Meetings

• Village of Estero No Meetings

• Charlotte County No Meetings

• City of Punta Gorda No Meetings

• Sarasota County Tuesday the 7th @ 9:00am

  Updates on Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates, Inc., and the status of the 2017 World Rowing Championships.

• City of North Port No Meetings

• City of Sarasota Monday the 6th @ 2:30pm

  No issues

• City of Venice No Meetings

• Town of Longboat Key Monday the 6th @ 7:00pm

  No issues

• Manatee County Tuesday the 7th @ 9:00am

  No issues

• City of Anna Maria No Meetings

• City of Bradenton Beach No Meetings

• City of Bradenton Wednesday the 8th @ 8:30am

  No issues

• City of Holmes Beach No Meetings

• City of Palmetto Monday the 6th @ 7:00pm

  No issue

• Hillsborough County Tuesday the 7th @ 9:00am

  No issues

• Plant City No Meetings

• City of Tampa Thursday the 9th @ 6:00pm

  No issues

• City of Temple Terrace Tuesday the 7th @ 6:00pm

  No issues

• Pinellas County Tuesday the 7th @ 9:30am

  No issues

• Town of Belleair Tuesday the 7th @ 6:00pm

  No issues

• City of Belleair Beach Monday the 6th @ 5:30pm

  No issues

• City of Belleair Bluffs No Meetings

• City of Clearwater No Meetings

• City of Gulfport Tuesday the 7th @ 7:00pm

  2017-01: First Reading: An ordinance of the City of Gulfport, Florida, amending Article I of Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to Beaches, Boats, Boating and Waterfront Structures; providing for amendment of Subsection (11) of Section 6-1 Definitions, providing for amendment of Subsection (3) and Subsection (4) of Section 6-13.2 Living Aboard Vessel Prohibited; Exceptions; providing for the repeal of ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, to the extent of such conflict; and providing for an effective date.
  Item #6 – Memorandum
  Item #6 – Ordinance

  2017-12:  A resolution of the City of Gulfport, Florida, authorizing the city manager to seek grant funding from the Florida Boating Improvements Grant Program; to provide for the applicable design, permitting, development, engineering and construction of a city operated mooring field; to enter into a Funding Agreement with Pinellas County for financial support and enter into a contract with GHS Environmental for the grant, permitting, engineering, environmental and support services for the Gulfport Municipal Marina Mooring Field Project; and providing for an effective date.
  Item #7-b – Memorandum
  Item #7-b – Mooring Field Project Statement
  Item #7-b – Resolution

• City of Indian Rocks Beach No Meetings

• Town of Indian Shores No Meetings

• City of Largo Tuesday the 7th @ 6:00pm

  No issues

• City of Madeira Beach No Meetings

• Town of North Redington Beach Thursday the 9th @ 6:00pm

  ORDINANCE NO. 2017-784
  AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF NORTH REDINGTON BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 18, BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS, RTICLE VI, SEAWALLS AND MARINE STRUCTURES, SECTION 18-139, MINIMUM CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS FOR SEAWALLS ON WATERS OTHER THAN GULF OF MEXICO, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF NORTH REDINGTON BEACH TO CHANGE THE MAXIUM SEAWALL HEIGHT, PROVIDNG FOR VARIANCE PROCEDURE, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. FIRST READING

• City of Oldsmar Tuesday the 7th @ 7:00pm

  No issues

• City of Pinellas Park No Meetings

• Town of Redington Shores Wednesday the 8th @ 7:00pm

  No issues

• City of Safety Harbor Monday th e6th @ 7:30pm

  No issues

• City of Seminole No Meetings

• City South Pasadena No Meetings

• City of St. Pete Beach No Meetings

• City of St. Petersburg Thursday the 9th @ 3:00pm

  No issues

• City of Tarpon Springs Tuesday the 7th @ 6:30pm

  No issues

• City of Treasure Island Tuesday the 7th @ 6:00pm

  No issues

• Southwest Florida Water Management District No Meetings

• South Florida Water Management Thursday the 9th @ 9:00am

  No issues

• WCIND No Meetings

Scott’s $84 billion budget wish list marks clear battle lines with House, Senate leaders

Article by: Matt Dixon of POLITICOFLORIDA

01/31/2017 07:01 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott outlined a nearly $84 billion budget proposal Tuesday that would boost state funding to record levels, sock away roughly $5 billion in state reserves, and continues his administration’s fight with the hospital industry.

The governor’s plan is laced with potential landmines that will make portions of it untenable for legislative leaders, who will push hard for their priorities. That’s not uncommon this early in the budget process, but without question clear fault lines exist between the governor and both chambers of the Legislature.

Any governor’s spending plan is often viewed as a wish list to highlight both policy and political priorities. Lawmakers view them as the governor’s recommendations, but they are actually the ones responsible for writing the state budget. The state’s top economists will meet one more time before lawmaker’s need to finalize a budget, which means the revenue outlook will likely look different when they build their spending plan.

This year, Scott put forward a budget that is more than $1 billion bigger than the current budget, a trend that has continued throughout his administration as the economy and state revenues rebounded from a depressed past. Scott’s first budget proposal in 2011 was $69 million.

When breaking down the topline budget number, $30.8 million is state general revenue money, which is the pot of funding lawmakers have the most control over. That’s up $600 million from the current year spending plan. The rest is comprised of a mix of federal dollars and trust fund money tied to specific policy areas.

Though the overall size of the budget would grow by roughly 1 percent under Scott’s plan, he did propose a total of $1.1 billion in spending cuts, most of which would be felt by hospitals. Nearly half the cuts — $581 million — would be achieved by allowing Medicaid managed care plans to reimburse hospitals at “more efficient rates” than traditional Medicaid.

He is also pushing hard for a $618 million tax cut package, 70 percent of which would be a reduction of the tax businesses pay on leases. That tax cut, which has long been pushed for by the business community, would take effect Jan. 1, 2017, because most leases run on a calendar — not fiscal — year.

“Florida is the only state in the nation that has this tax,” Scott told reporters Tuesday at the Associated Press planning session in Tallahassee. “it unfairly targets small businesses.”

Scott’s budget includes a $815 million boost in K-12 education funding, but much of that increase would be shouldered by local property owners. Scott’s increases include 458 million more from local property taxes. House Speaker Richard Corcoran has already said he deems that method of funding education a tax increase on local property owners. Scott counters that it’s due to increasing property values, not an increased tax rate, so it should not be viewed as a hike.

“When your house goes up in value, most of us like that, so anybody that doesn’t understand that that’s not a tax increase, I’m surprised,” Scott told reporters. “I would assume those same people then are going to propose reducing sales tax when they see a consumer good go up in price also, because under their scenario, that would be a tax increase, I presume.”

Along with increased spending, Scott’s budget boosts the state workforce by 327 positions, a departure from position cuts ingrained in recent state budgets. There were roughly 160,000 state workers when Scott took office, a number that’s down to about 114,000 in the current year budget.

The only subset of those workers who would get raises under Scott’s proposal are prison guards, who have long pushed for pay increases but fallen short. Scott’s budget includes $38 million for both base-pay rate increases and starting salaries for guards working in the Department of Corrections.

Scott did not include across-the-board pay raises for state workers, which is likely to be one of the many sticking points he will have with the Legislature as his staff spreads out across the Capitol next week to begin pitching his budget proposal to lawmakers.

Scott also gave an uncharacteristically passionate defense of his request for $85 million in economic incentives for businesses and nearly $80 billion in tourism marketing money for Visit Florida. The Senate is supportive of Scott, but he is again feuding with House leaders, who are philosophically opposed to using taxpayer money for economic development.

“If you want to understand how business works, you market things,” said Scott, his voice clearly tinged with annoyance. “You want to get businesses to this state … it is a process, you are competing.”

Corcoran and other House leaders cast the incentive money as “corporate welfare” that only flows to wealthy business owners, but does not help the average state resident. He prefers tax cuts and boosting funding for things like education as an economic development tool.

Along with the fight with House leaders, Scott’s budget also did not include money for an Everglades reservoir and provides only $25 million in land buying, which is Negron’s top priority. Under Negron’s plan, the state and federal government would split the $2.4 billion cost for a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee.

As part of that, Negron has proposed bonding, or having the state take on additional debt, to fund the proposal. Taking on additional state debt for the project has so far been a non-starter for Corcoran and Scott, who along with opposing bonding opposes the proposal in general. That sentiment is shared by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who has long opposed the idea of land purchases south of Lake Okeechobee.

Scott’s budget includes no money for bonding in other traditional areas where the financing mechanism is commonly used. A vast majority of the state’s debt load is tied up in transportation and education facility construction. Scott’s budget authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation to issue debt.

Now that Scott’s budget has been released, his staff will make presentations to legislative budget subcommittees next week as lawmakers prepare their spending plans. The beginning of that process — what’s known as the setting of allocations — generally comes around the midpoint of the legislative session, which is set to begin March 7.