By Steve Plunkett
Briny Breezes’ efforts to fix its drainage system to minimize future flooding received a boost in March when the federal government awarded the town $1.38 million to install new stormwater pumps.
“Residents of Briny Breezes have often faced the devastating impacts of floods, causing permanent damage to their residences and their property, and at times putting their safety at risk. The new stormwater pumps will help keep drain systems working properly and prevent future flooding,” U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel said in announcing the grant.
The money was included in the $1.2 trillion package of spending bills that President Joe Biden signed March 23 to avoid a federal government shutdown.
Town Manager Bill Thrasher said Briny Breezes will have to provide a local match of roughly $350,000 to get the federal dollars. He then expects to use the combined $1.75 million to secure an equal match from the Resilient Florida fund, or about $3.5 million in all for the new stormwater system.
The town originally applied for $2.7 million, about twice what the federal government approved, Thrasher said.
With his eyes set on securing a total $7.2 million from Resilient Florida, to be evenly matched by the town and to pay for the stormwater system and raising the town’s sea walls along the Intracoastal Waterway, Thrasher was reluctant to say much about the federal money.
“It is still way too early for this type of questioning,” he said.
A Flooding Adaptation Plan completed in April 2021 made several recommendations, including installing a multi-pump drainage system, pumping station and discharge pipes to help eliminate flooding of the roadways and prevent damage to personal property and homes.
Briny Breezes’ consultants are currently busy producing construction drawings for the project.
In a report to the Town Council on March 28 on how the budget for next year was shaping up, Thrasher said he would recommend holding property taxes at the same rate as this year, $3.75 per $1,000 of taxable valuation, provided the co-op corporation agrees to fund 70% of police and fire rescue services like it is now.
At the start of the meeting, Council President Liz Loper called for a moment of silence to mark the passing of resident Ira Friedman, a longtime member of the Planning & Zoning Board who continued to bring the council ideas for improving the town.
“He always had something to say, always had a smile on his face. He was Ira,” Loper said. “Ira’s (woodcarving) creations were legendary throughout the town of Briny, and we will miss him so much.”
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