By Steve Plunkett
Briny Breezes will borrow an extra $500,000 to kick-start the modernization of its drainage system.
Town Manager Bill Thrasher at first proposed getting a $2.5 million loan to cover the costs of the town’s ambitious project to upgrade its drainage system and raise its sea walls.
“This budget is anticipating a $3 million loan,” he told Town Council members on May 22.
Why the higher number? “Because of some costs involved with loan processing and some legal hoops that we have to jump through,” he said.
Thrasher had already alerted the aldermen of his plan to raise the town’s property tax rate by 80%, from $3.75 per $1,000 of taxable value to $6.75, to build reserves to pay back the money.
“We can handle a $3 million loan,” he said.
In the fiscal year 2026 budget, which begins Oct. 1, Thrasher said he anticipates using money already earmarked by the Resilient Florida program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for permitting and design of the drainage work.
The estimated construction cost is $3.3 million. He will use almost $1.4 million from FEMA, nearly $1.7 million from the state program and $268,266 from town reserves.
While some residents have wondered whether the town can delay doing the projects if circumstances change, Thrasher assured the council that he did not consider that an option.
“I want everybody to know that I have no intention whatsoever to shelve this project,” he said.
Thrasher has repeatedly said he plans to obtain other grants and accept donations to keep the cost to residents minimal.
Aldermen were scheduled to authorize Mayor Ted Gross to sign agreements to hire a bond counsel, accept the Resilient Florida grant and direct Engenuity Group to create construction drawings. But action on those items was postponed until the council’s June 26 meeting.
Also postponed was a discussion of resurrecting the town’s website.
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