UPDATE:
Both the Whiting Aviation Park ($1.5 Million) and the City of Milton Riverwalk ($688,713) are featured on the veto list for the 2015-2016 budget, which was signed by Florida Governor Rick Scott on Tuesday, immediately following the print deadline for the Wednesday’s (June 24th) edition.
In a letter to Florida’s Secretary of State Ken Detzner, Scott’s office states both the Riverwalk project and Whiting Aviation Park were vetoed because “they circumvent current established grant review processes, or funding is available through other resources.” To view the complete veto list and the transmittal letter further explaining the “Keep Florida Working” budget, including explanation to vetoed items, visit http://bit.ly/1ddSU5i.
Florida lawmakers passed a $78 billion state budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year Friday. Should the budget receive approval from Governor Rick Scott in which the governor does not veto any budget spending item by June 30, several Santa Rosa County projects including the Milton Riverwalk and the Whiting Aviation Park would see additional funding.
The City of Milton’s Riverwalk is budgeted to receive $688,173.
“Funding will be directly employed in the pre-construction activities for the development of approximately 2800 lineal feet of Riverfront boardwalk to include land acquisition, geo-technical investigation, surveys, design, and permitting,” said Randy Jorgenson, the city’s planning director. “The Riverwalk project is an extension of the City's existing boardwalk and a planned addition to the Riverfront and Downtown Redevelopment areas.”
The Riverfront Master plan would better accommodate for increasing crowds at community events, like Bands on the Blackwater, Jorgenson said.
“(Milton) has witnessed unprecedented increases in attendance at the city's free concert series and other events over the last three years,” he said in an email. “The riverfront extension will not only create the much needed room to provide for event attendees but as part of the larger vision presented in the City's Riverfront Master Plan, it will help to bridge the downtown area and the community's recreational and commercial opportunities.”
Jorgenson said the city previously attained nearly $900,000 in funding through past legislative appropriations and a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant.
“The City of Milton has already committed funds to the project through the employ of Peter J. Smith and Company Inc. in the Design of the Riverfront Master Plan which includes the extension of the Riverwalk,” Jorgenson said. “The Riverwalk project correlates directly with the goals, objectives, and vision of not only the City of Milton Comprehensive Plan but also the Santa Rosa County Comprehensive Plan as well. The project has undergone, as part of the Riverfront Master Plan outreach, a number of public meetings, surveys, and input sessions.”
Milton Council member Ashley Lay, was among several city officials including fellow city council member Jimmy Messick and City Manager Brian Watkins to meet with state senators on behalf of the Riverwalk project. Lay previously took a trip to Tallahassee in order to advocate for several projects in the works for the Milton area.
“In my meeting with Representative Clay Ingram, he took an interest in our project. He commented that he appreciated how we had the project costs separated out and would work on it for us,” Lay said. “I heard from Rep. Ingram two weeks ago and he said he was still trying to make it happen. We also had support from Senator Greg Evers and Senator Jack Latvala.”
Lay said this an “excellent start” for the Riverwalk project.
“I appreciate the relationships we have with our State Legislators and the hard work they have put in to fight for our community. I am happy to be able to have a small part in securing funding for Milton. It is very rewarding to see a project move forward. I am looking forward to seeing this allocation pass through the Governor’s office,” Lay said. “I am also excited about finding our voice and look forward to continuing to work together with all levels of government to make our community better.”
The Whiting Aviation Park is also budgeted to receive $1.5 million in state funding. Shannon Ogletree, the director of the Santa Rosa County Economic Development, will allow for the development of construction plans for the park and some capital improvements to the site.
“This additional funding will kick start the project allowing us to start with the phase 1 development,” Ogletree said in a email. “With Aviation (and) Defense being ours and Northwest Florida’s top industry sector it is important we start with the development of this park.”
Another budgeted item is the Jay water system which is budgeted to receive $200,000. Linda Carden, the city’s clerk, said the funding would be utilized towards replacing the outdated water lines and updating water valves. Carden said the water system did receive more than $650,000 from the Northwest Florida Water Management last year.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: UPDATE: Santa Rosa County officials react to state budget