CEPD signals support for apportionment method
The Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s commission directed staff to pursue one of the proposed apportionment models for the beach renourishment project and to schedule a public hearing during its recent meeting, as well as gave staff direction on preparing for next year’s budget and millage rate.
On June 7, CEPD Technical Director Daniel Munt reviewed two proposed methodologies that staff has explored for calculating the assessments to property owners to pay back the bond loan for the project.
The benefits based model, which has been used for previous renourishment projects, entails a storm protection benefit cost levied on all properties that front on the Gulf of Mexico and a recreation benefit cost levied on all properties on Captiva, to include single- and multi-family, condos and commercial.
After deducting federal and county cost shares for the project, the Gulf-front properties are broken down into six zones and the cost share for each calculated to find the storm protection benefit. Captiva as a whole is then broken down by property type, with the cost shares calculated for the recreation.
The types include homesteaded residential, non-homesteaded residential and commercial.
The hybrid model entails relying on the same storm protection benefit cost for Gulf-front properties broken down by zone, but an ad valorem-based calculation for determining the recreation benefit cost.
“They’re very similar models,” Munt said.
Following an explanation from the CEPD’s bond counsel on the project that the bank cannot complete the loan process — and consider approval — without a public hearing and agreed upon apportionment method, staff asked for direction on which model to pursue and suggested a public hearing on June 28.
Vice Chair John Silvia voiced support for the benefits based model.
“Then it’s a done deal and we can modify it in the future,” he said. “The simpler the better.”
Chairman Rene Miville echoed agreement for the methodology previously used.
Secretary Harry Kaiser sought clarification from staff on which model it was recommending for selection, to which Executive Director Jennifer Nelson explained that it was the benefits based one.
Staff noted that the traditional methodology would attribute the highest millage rate to commercial properties, followed by non-homesteaded, and offer a 42 percent discount to homesteaded ones.
A motion to direct staff to pursue the benefits based model and prepare a presentation for a public hearing was approved 4-0; Commissioner Mike Mullins was present, but he had to leave early.
The public hearing for the tentative apportionment hearing is set for June 28 at 5:01 p.m.
Also on the subject of the renourishment, staff explained that the project contractor — Great Lakes Dredge and Dock — provided updated timelines for the best case and worst case scenarios. The worst case one accounts for unplanned delays, such as storms or bad weather, equipment issues and such.
In the best case scenario, dredging and beach fill for the south half of Captiva will occur from Aug. 5-18, followed by the same for the north half from Aug. 18 through Sept. 6. In the worst case scenario, work on the south half will occur from Aug. 5-30, followed by the north half from Aug. 30 to Sept. 24.
Staff also discussed holding a public town hall in-person and via Zoom in late July.
2021-2022 BUDGET
Also at the meeting, staff sought direction on the coming year’s budget and proposed millage rate. Nelson explained that she had the accountant put together a preliminary budget, using staff’s proposed budget, and outlined the figures in terms of the rolled back rate and higher, based on needed votes.
“This is our general budget,” Administrative Director John Riegert added. “This budget runs everything, but our capital. This is mainly administrative costs and expenses.”
The commissioners discussed the option slightly higher than the rolled back rate of 0.4354. The proposed 0.4494 millage would be an increase of about 3.2 percent and raise the budget approximately $21,000. The CEPD’s current millage rate is 0.4395, with the general budget at about $662,958.
Treasurer Dick Pyle voiced support for the 0.4494 option.
“It would be approximately the same,” he said referring to the current general budget, pointing out for the other commissioners that it also includes the discretionary $100,000 for sea level rise projects.
“It’s a generous budget,” Pyle said.
A motion to direct staff to proceed with preparing a proposed budget using the 0.4494 millage rate passed 4-0. The commission also approved the TRIM budget hearing dates for Sept. 13 and 23.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The commission voted 5-0 to continue working with consultant APTIM under the current contract.
– Mullins voiced interest in stepping down from his seat at the end of the year, if possible.
– In the month of May, a total of 2,830 parking tickets were sold, with $87,074 in meter revenue collected. During the same month last year, 2,312 tickets were sold, with $52,105 collected.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email