County board green lights $2M for city fishing pier
The county commission recently approved more than $2 million to reconstruct the Sanibel Fishing Pier.
At its meeting on March 3, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 to approve a transfer of $2,148,209 from the Tourist Development Tax (TDT) reserves to the Beach and Shoreline Fund for the construction of the fishing pier at the Lighthouse Beach Park on Sanibel. It was damaged during Hurricane Ian in 2022.
According to county staff, Commissioner Kevin Ruane brought up a funding request from the city of Sanibel during a meeting last month. The city’s remaining Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding is insufficient to cover the project costs. The commission directed staff to explore the use of bed tax funds. FEMA funding in the amount of $145,844 will also be applied to the project.
The approval of the transfer authorizes county staff to coordinate with the city to review the project’s details and develop an interlocal agreement outlining the terms and criteria of the funding program.
The commissioners will consider the agreement for approval at a later date.
Prior to the vote, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) Executive Director Tamara Pigott gave an overview of the request and steps for the interlocal agreement and reimbursing the city.
Ruane voiced his appreciation for the agenda item being brought forward.
“Lighthouse is the first beach you go to when you get on the island. It is probably the most significant beach,” he said, also touching on the pier. “I think it’s really vital for the community and their resiliency. I think we’re going to go about this the right way.”
Vice Chairman David Mulicka asked about a timeline for the pier project.
County staff shared that city staff do not have a timeline yet as it has not gone out to bid.
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