Subject:
Title
Interlocal Agreement with Tampa Bay Water for consultant and professional services Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Interlocal Agreement with Tampa Bay Water (TBW) for consultant and professional services administered by two FTEs equivalent to two full time positions.
•TBW has been providing funding to Florida Friendly Landscaping™, (FFL) for
two decades.
•FFL uses education and outreach to conserve and protect water resources.
•Revenue and expenses totaling $204,650 (Exhibit B) are included in the FY26 Adopted Budget for the Parks and Conservation Resources Department within the General Fund.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.4 Improve environmental quality
1.6 Ensure sustainable water management
Smart Service Delivery
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement
Summary:
This interlocal agreement provides funding from TBW to UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension to run the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) program. The FFL program focuses on protecting and conserving water resources through education and targeted outreach. The program supports TBW’s goals and objectives regarding water conservation and the reduction of pollutants to stormwater runoff.
Background/Explanation:
TBW has been providing funding for the FFL program for two decades. In FY2014, Tampa Bay Water increased funding levels to support a second full-time position that was historically funded by Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).
The scope of work is focused on protecting water resources through environmentally- friendly landscaping practices. The landscape practices taught through the program are based on research and publications from the University of Florida/IFAS.
The funding supports two full-time employees within Parks and Conservation Resources (PCR)/Extension. The Program Manager’s responsibilities include broad education such as water quality, water conservation, and the importance of protecting natural resources through a variety of outlets. The target audience is community associations. The Public Education Program Coordinator position focuses on water conservation throughout the County by addressing homeowners through workshop presentations, site visits and irrigation evaluations
Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact associated with this agreement is net $0. Revenue and expenses totaling $204,650 (Exhibit B) are included in the FY26 Adopted Budget for the Parks and Conservation Resources Department within the General Fund. The agreement increases the revenue and expense budget to $212,836 in FY27 (Exhibit C), subject to funding availability.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Interlocal Agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Paul Cozzie, Director, Parks and Conservation Resources
Jeffrey P. Gellermann, Director, Pinellas County Extension
Partners:
Tampa Bay Water
Attachments:
Interlocal Agreement