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File ID: 25-0628 Indian River County, Florida MEMORANDUM qG Indian River County Administration Complex 1801 27th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 indianriver.gov Type: Consent Staff Report Meeting Date: 6/17/2025 TO: Board of County Commissioners THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr. County Administrator Kylie Yanchula, Natural Resources Director FROM: Quintin Bergman, Coastal Resource Manager DATE: June 3, 2025 SUBJECT: Grant Application for Funding Assistance from the State of Florida Beach Erosion Control Program - FY 2026/27 BACKGROUND The Coastal Division is planning a beach restoration project for Sector 5 in Fiscal Year 25/26. This beach restoration project will involve sand placement and installation of dune plants to address background erosion as well as losses from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. In August of 2023, it was estimated that 112,100 cubic yards of sand and 423,360 dune plants have been lost from the permitted Sector 5 construction template. The estimated construction cost to replace all template losses is $8,407,887. Following the completion of the Summer 2025 Hydrographic Surveys, the Engineer of Record will update the estimated sand volume and construction costs. As of June 1, 2025, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is accepting applications for the FY 2026/27 Local Government Funding Request (LGFR) through the Beach Management Funding Assistance Program (Program). LGFR Grants provide State cost share funds to assist governmental entities with expenses for approved activities associated with beach nourishment projects that include project design, engineering studies, environmental studies, construction activities and monitoring costs consistent with the FDEP's Strategic Beach Management Plan. If awarded, the program provides financial assistance for up to 50% reimbursement of the project costs. On June 20, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) approved LGFR Grant 23182 for state legislatively allocated reimbursement funds in which the local match requirement was waived. 23IR2 contained funds for several beach management sectors, including $885,600 for Sector 5. On June 6, 2024, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) obligated federal assistance for losses associated with Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in the amount of 75%. Losses from Sector 5 associated with these storm events amount to 13,036 cubic yards of sand and 423,360 dune plants, with an estimated construction cost of $2,358,712. The upcoming Sector 5 Hurricanes Ian and Nicole Beach and Dune Restoration Project is eligible for FDEP's recently announced 2026/27 LGFR Program. The proposed grant application would identify approximately $5,113,574.81 in needed funds. If awarded this additional LGFR grant, with the anticipated 50/50 state/local cost share, FDEP would obligate $2,556,787.41 and the County's share would be $2,556,787.41. The Program application requires a funding resolution from the Local Sponsor indicating the County's ability to provide Indian River County, Florida Page 1 of 2 Printed on 6/12/2025 powered by Legistarn^ 96