TO: The Honorable Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
THROUGH: Michael C. Zito, Deputy County Administrator
Beth Powell, Parks, Recreation, & Conservation Director
FROM: Wendy Swindell, Parks, Recreation & Conservation Assistant Director
DATE: September 9, 2025
SUBJECT: Wabasso Causeway Park FIND Grant IR-24-78 Withdrawal
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BACKGROUND
Wabasso Causeway Park is located along Wabasso Beach Road (CR 510) and consists of four separate spoil island lobes encompassing an area of approximately 13.4 acres. Features include a boat launch, restroom facilities, picnic tables, pavilions, and shoreline areas for recreation. Conditions within the park have deteriorated over the years due to storm damage, increases in wave energy associated with high water events from King Tides, and wear from public use. The boat ramp and adjacent parking area require significant repair and replacement, and amenities along the shoreline areas are significantly affected by continuous erosion.
On March 5, 2024, the Board passed the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) Resolution For Assistance 2024 (Resolution #2024-008) as required for the Waterways Assistance Program (WAP) grant application process. The approved Resolution was included as part of the WAP application submitted by staff to FIND on April 1, 2024, for “Phase 1 Design and Engineering of Wabasso Causeway Park Improvements.” The FIND application included a $150,000 project to design and engineer improvements to the existing parking areas and boat ramps. The County was required to provide a $75,000 (50:50) match for this grant. On October 15, 2024, FIND notified the County that the project had been selected for funding and provided a project agreement for consideration by the Board. The Wabasso Causeway WAP Grant Agreement IR-24-78 was executed by FIND on December 2, 2024.
ANALYSIS
Following the award of the grant, staff moved forward with a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for design and engineering of improvements to the boat ramp and parking areas. In addition to engineered plans, the scope of work included preparation of a conceptual plan for the entire causeway park. The RFQ process was completed, and an engineering firm (Halff) was selected, and approved by the Board at the November 5, 2024, meeting. The proposed scope of work and corresponding proposed fee proposed by Halff exceeded the funding amount that was projected by staff at the time the grant application was submitted to FIND.
Throughout this process, staff have been coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) staff on proposed improvements. As the owners of the causeway, this coordination was needed to ensure that the County’s design would not conflict with any future plans that FDOT is undertaking.
On July 8, 2025, the County Administrator held a meeting with FDOT and staff to discuss the FDOT long-range plan for the causeway. The FDOT identified that there are plans for an improved sidewalk and an additional bike lane, however, the schedule for the design and engineering of this work has not been finalized. Future bridge replacement is also considered in FDOT’s long-term planning.
Given the uncertainty of the FDOT plans, as well as the additional cost for the proposed Halff planning and design (which included expanded design for future uses), staff were directed to pause moving forward with an agreement with Halff, and to discuss withdrawing the FIND grant. Staff notified FIND and they approved the withdrawal of the grant without prejudice.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
There is no budgetary impact for the item.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
24-0194 Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners Authorizing Funding for a Florida Inland Navigation District Waterways Assistance Program Grant for the Wabasso Causeway Park
24-0880 Florida Inland Navigation District Grant Agreement for the Wabasso Causeway Park Improvements Phase 1
25-0449 Final Ranking of Firms and Authorization to Negotiate - RFQ 2025023 for Design & Engineering for the Wabasso Causeway Park
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
None at this time.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Quality of Life
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
This is presented for informational purposes only.