Title:
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Approve and authorize the County Manager to execute a Standard Grant Agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the Septic Upgrade Incentive Project for $2,222,222.22; and approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Budget Amendment Request (BAR) 25-048 through the Environmental Services Grant Fund in the amount of $10,772.22 to appropriate the increase in the budget. Countywide (Kim Ornberg, Director of Environmental Services)
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Division:
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Environmental Services - Water Quality and Water Policy
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Authorized By:
Kim Ornberg, Director of Environmental Services
Contact/Phone Number:
Keeli Carlton/407-665-5798
Background:
The Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act (2016) identified Outstanding Florida Springs (OFS) and required the implementation of water quality protections and improvements for these springs. Seminole County is within two OFS spring basins: Wekiwa and Gemini. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has determined that conventional septic tanks are a major contributor of nutrients (primarily nitrogen) to these and other OFS. FDEP is requiring local governments to develop plans to remove and replace these systems with either centralized sanitary sewer connections (septic to sewer) or Advanced Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS), i.e., enhanced septic tank systems, which will significantly reduce nitrogen concentrations reaching the springs.
The FDEP Standard Grant Agreement (Agreement) provides the County with $2.2M to develop a Septic Upgrade Incentive Program (Program) to encourage and assist homeowners located within the OFS with conversion from conventional septic systems to Advanced OSTDS. It allows up to $10,000 assistance for each individual homeowner towards the upgrade of their system, as well as funding for the management and implementation of the County Program. The cost of the enhanced system ranges from $9,000 to $25,000. This grant cannot be used for septic to sewer connections.
The grant funding was appropriated in the FY25 adopted budget; however, the Agreement is in the amount of $2,222,222.22, which is $10,772 above the adopted budget. BAR 25-048 will appropriate the increase in the budget. The grant period ends on December 31, 2027, and there is no match requirement.
Requested Action:
Staff requests the Board approve and authorize the County Manager to execute a Standard Grant Agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the Septic Upgrade Incentive Project for $2,222,222.22; and approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Budget Amendment Request (BAR) 25-048 through the Environmental Services Grant Fund in the amount of $10,772.22 to appropriate the increase in the budget.