By Margie Plunkett
A $9 million beach renourishment project will proceed, after Delray Beach commissioners committed to spending the money even though anticipated federal financing has not been allocated.
“It will cost us way more if we don’t,” said Commissioner Al Jacquet, echoing the sentiment that the beach is the city’s most important resource.
In August, commissioners questioned whether Delray Beach could afford to pay for the project itself, given extensive budget-cutting. But at a special meeting in September, City Manager David Harden explained that the general fund debt service would shrink by about $1.4 million in the 2014 fiscal year, providing leeway to finance beach renourishment.
Commissioners gave their thumbs-up after city staff assured them it would pursue federal reimbursement, which represents about $5.2 million — or 56 percent — of the cost. The state and county have committed money to pay the balance, amounting to about $2 million each.
“We would make every effort to get the funding — the authorization is there,” Harden said. “We would continue to lobby the delegation.”
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock LLC, which was the successful bidder in a fall competition for the beach work, was awarded the contract at the special meeting. The work was expected to begin in November.
The Beach Property Owners Association had urged city lawmakers to go ahead with beach renourishment in a letter from President Mary Renaud.
Beach renourishment was essential not only for the recreation and beauty the coastline provides but also to stave off storm erosion or a breach that could mean the loss of millions of dollars in property value and revenue to Delray Beach, the BPOA said.
“This is not money being spent on an extra ‘nice’ item the community can enjoy,” the letter said. “It is money being spent on the backbone of our town. Without the beach, we could easily see our town underwater and have the sea claim our town.” Ú
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