Subject:
Title
Joint Funding Agreement with the United States Geological Survey, Department of Interior for the Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center Water Resource Investigations.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of a one-year Joint Funding Agreement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Department of Interior for the Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center Water Resource Investigations.
• USGS has constructed and installed data gathering stations at various locations throughout Pinellas County to collect continuous monitoring data, including flood stages, discharge, and rainfall.
• Data is utilized to meet County’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, stormwater permit water quality requirements, watershed planning and stormwater modeling, and flood forecasting.
• USGS will manage and perform field and analytical work for a total cost of $267,300.00 for the one-year period of May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027.
• County will contribute $195,574.00 and the USGS will contribute $71,726.00.
• Funding for this authorization is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for Public Work within the General Fund and Surface Water Utility Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget.
Agreement No. 26MCJFA0030; Total project cost is $267,300.00 for the period May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. County will contribute $195,574.00 and the USGS will contribute $71,726.00; Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.4 Improve environmental quality.
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
Smart Service Delivery
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement.
Summary:
Summary
The purpose of this JFA is to continue funding the joint effort with the USGS to collect scientific data used to develop watershed management plans, design surface water management projects, and aid in compliance with the County’s NPDES stormwater permit. Data is utilized to meet the County’s NPDES stormwater permit water quality requirements, watershed planning and stormwater modeling, and flood forecasting.
USGS will manage and perform the necessary field and analytical work. Project total cost is $267,300.00 for the one (1) year period of May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. The County will contribute $195,574.00 and the USGS will contribute $71,726.00. The Agreement is effective May 1, 2026; however, the Federal Government shutdown delayed receipt. USGS understands they will receive the executed document on or about May 8, 2026.
Body
Background Information:
The USGS has constructed and installed data gathering stations at various locations throughout the County. These stations collect continuous monitoring data including flood stages, discharge, and rainfall. This information, combined with water quality data, allows the County to report pollutant loading information to meet federal and state water quality requirements; supports the planning and design of systems to address flooding and is used in the development of watershed models which aids in the understanding of our surface waters and the overall function of the stormwater system. The Water Discipline Data Collection Program has been an ongoing program since 1999.
Fiscal Impact:
Total cost of this countywide effort is $267,300.00 for the one (1) year period of May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. The County will contribute $195,574.00, and the USGS will contribute $71,726.00.
Funding for this authorization is included in the FY26 budget for Public Work within the General Fund and Surface Water Utility Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
USGS
Attachments:
Agreement