Subject:
Title
Memorandum of Agreement and Application for Use of WeatherStem Weather Monitoring Stations with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Corresponding Agreement with WeatherStem.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Application (Application) for Use of WeatherStem weather monitoring stations with the Florida Division of Emergency (FDEM) and Agreement (Agreement) with WeatherStem.
• Execution of the original MOA and Agreement.
• MOA authorizes Application and initial funding to a potential award of WeatherStem weather monitoring stations for a ten (10) year period.
• Agreement aligns with MOA for continuing term.
• No cost for installation and initial three (3) year period for maintenance.
• Maintenance fee costs required during contract years four (4) through ten (10).
• No prior Board actions have taken place.
• The MOA, by itself, has no fiscal impact on Pinellas County until year 4 and then an estimated $12,500 per year will apply to the Emergency Management General Fund budget dependent upon adoption of the annual County Operating Budget(s).
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Summary:
MOA does provide for Pinellas County (County) to request 5 (five) weather stations through Application. The term of this MOA is ten (10) years from the date of installation of the weather station, or until weather station ceases operation, whichever occurs first. Weather stations are transferred to County ownership upon installation. Costs for purchase, installation and initial (3) years of maintenance are pre-paid by FDEM as included in the MOA. The remaining (7) years require the County to provide for maintenance, repair and software upgrades at their expense. The Agreement aligns with the MOA for the remaining contract period. Cost of ownership during the remaining seven-year term is $2,500.00 per station, per year for a total of $12,500.00 annually with an allowable CPI increase of no greater than 3% annually.
Costs may be applied to the Emergency Management Preparedness Assistance (EMPA) or Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). Both grants currently provide assistance to fund staff; in addition, EMPG pays for storage facilities.
The term of this contract is ten (10) years from the date of installation of the weather station, or until weather station ceases operation, whichever occurs first.
Background/Explanation:
FDEM appropriated funds to Florida Severe Weather Network (FSWN) - WeatherStem. The appropriation includes pre-identified areas to receive valuable equipment for providing critical weather data. Weather stations listed in the Application provide FDEM hyper-local real time weather data in strategic locations. The data is critical information to assist in response activities, operational decision support, and deployment of resources.
Pinellas County currently owns four (4) weather stations installed in 2016 and 2017. Two of which are currently on non-County property.
If the County is awarded all five (5) stations, we will request the new units all be installed on County property to provide broader geographic positioning for weather data collection.
Fiscal Impact:
The scope of work provides Pinellas County with five (5) proposed weather stations. Costs are zero from installation for the first three (3) years and then are estimated $12,500 annually with a 3% CPI applied to the Emergency Management General Fund.
The MOA by itself, has no fiscal impact on Pinellas County until year 4 and then an estimated $12,500 per year will apply to the Emergency Management General Fund budget dependent upon adoption of the annual County Operating Budget(s).
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this MOA is granted under Code Section 2-62(a)(2).
Staff Member Responsible:
Cathie Perkins, Director, Emergency Management
Partners:
Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)
Attachments:
MOA-FDEM2026.05.11
2025WeatherStemApplication
Agreement-WeatherStem2026.06.08
2025FAQSheetWeatherStation