Tallahassee, capital region economy could get $200 million boost from state budget
The $117 billion state budget Florida lawmakers approved Friday to end their annual session boosts the capital region with a major construction project and provides tens of millions of dollars for social services, health care, and environmental protection programs.
There’s $201 million in state spending for Senate District 3, which includes Tallahassee, Leon County and 12 rural, sparsely populated counties, taking in much of the Big Bend.
A big chunk of that total includes $80 million to build a new headquarters for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and another $50 million for school construction, leaving the rest to go towards local projects.
When the Legislature spends money, local interests are represented by a four-member delegation of Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, and Democratic state representatives Allison Tant and Gallop Franklin, both of Tallahassee.
Their top priority is a pay raise for the 20,000 state workers in Gadsden and Leon counties. This year’s 3% increase could translate into an additional $26 million into the regional economy.
The group also secured money to renovate a kitchen to double the number of people Elder Care’s meals-on-wheels program serves. There's money to build schools in Wakulla and Gadsden counties, and continue improvements and protection of Lake Jackson, Munson Slough and Wakulla Springs.
“The hard-working folks of Big Bend contribute their fair share and deserve a return on their investment,” Simon said. “I promised the people of Senate District 3 that we’d have the seat at the table they’ve long been denied, and I’m proud to say that this year, we’ve delivered on that promise.”
The Agriculture building is a state project, but after it is removed from the total, the delegation with new members Simon and Franklin followed up last year’s $96 million for local projects with $131 million this year, plus the pay raise for state workers.
Shoaf was able to steer more than $4 million to buy land to protect Wakulla Springs and research its unique geological features and hydrology.
“With a better understanding about all the factors that contribute to the springs’ current cloudiness, we can begin to restore our beloved gem to its original and clear natural beauty,” Shoaf said.
Leon County is in line for $250,000 to clear Munson Slough of debris and sediment and make improvements along its embankment so water can be cleansed by a slow drain into Lake Munson.
Tant said she was enthusiastic about the budget because of the pay raise for state workers and expansion of meals-on-wheels.
“We have the largest number of state employees here and we’re the seat of government. (The state) is basically our economy,” Tant said when asked about her 'yes' vote on the budget.
Of course, this is all subject to review by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has line-item veto authority. Tant and the others were guarded when discussion turned to specific projects, wanting not to draw attention to them while DeSantis decided what gets the red pen.
“We’re going to work really hard and advocate with the governor’s office to talk about the impact our projects have in our communities,” said Franklin. “We’ve been in communication with his office throughout the budget process ... we’re hopeful.”
Here's a list of items in next year’s state budget for Tallahassee, Leon County, and the rest of Senate District 3.
Big Bend budget boosters
Tallahassee
Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Trauma Center Readiness: $750,000
Well tanks security cameras: $401,400
Renovations at Florida Department of Law Enforcement Capital Circle complex and restrooms at the J. Edwin Larson and Duncan U. Fletcher buildings: $1,530,257
Apalachee Ridge Neighborhood Technology Center: $350,000
Independence Landing: RedEye Coffee Workforce training: $200,000
Independence Landing: Workforce Development for Persons with Disabilities: $500,000
Conner Complex Center construction: $80,000,000
Total: $83,731,657
Leon County
Adult with Disabilities Program: $225,000
Fords Arm of Lake Jackson Restoration: $250,000
Lake Munson Slough Embankments: $250,000
Network Cybersecurity Assessment: $100,000
Generators for branch libraries and community centers: $250,000
Leon County School District Nursing Education Pipeline: $651,106
Student Success Technical Education Incentive Fund: $65,050
Career Expo and Junior Apprenticeship: $50,000
Total: $1,841,156
Gadsden County
Construction (school buildings, preK-8, year 2 of 2): $32,794,471
AMIkids Prevention Programs - Leon and Gadsden: $350,000
Midway Volunteer Fire and Hazmat vehicle: $1,000,000
Gadsden County EOC: $3,505,251
Gretna Fire Rescue: $235,000
Greensboro street signs: $12,600
Total: $37,897,322
Wakulla County
Wakulla Springs research: $750,000
Chips Hole site acquisition: $3,782,000
Wakulla County well sites: $875,00
Community Center Shelter: $225,000
St. Marks Fire Rescue Facility: $2,100,000
Shell Point-US 98 Fire Rescue Facility: $2,100,000
Wakulla High (year 1 of 3): $21,949,527
Adults with Disabilities Program: $42,500
Total: $29,724,027
Taylor County
Taylor County Development Authority: $125,000
Taylor County Public Safety Complex: $2,500,000
Taylor County Public Works generator: $10,500
Taylor County 911 communications equipment: $525,000
Total: $2,635,500
Elsewhere in Senate District 3
Elder Care (Meals on Wheels): $990,000
Aucilla Research Institute Archaeological Education: $400,000
Feeding Rural North Florida (13 counties) Hurricane Response: $1,000,000
Madison County Emergency Operations Center: $650,000
Madison County Fire Rescue Station #4: $850,000
Port St. Joe Workforce Housing access road: $1,000,000
Dixie County middle school chiller: $2,100,000
North Florida College (Madison) Industrial Workforce education: $3,103,000
Apalachee Center - Forensic treatment services: $1,401,600
Apalachee Center - Civil treatment services: $1,593,853
Apalachee Center (general): $2,739,126
Apalachee Center, Lifestream and Gracepoint: $3,750,000
Apalachee Center, Lifestream, and Gracepoint Program 2: $4,000,000
School readiness programs: $24,302,732
Voluntary pre-kindergarten programs: $7,138,868
Madison County schools workforce training: $88,061
Dixie County flood/stormwater mitigation: $1,500,000
Dixie County highway safety resilience project: $1,000,000
Dixie County first responder communications: $1,600,000
Ruth Rains Middle School roof replacement: $5,349,000
Franklin County bear-resistant refuse containers: $683,500
St. James/Lanark EMS substation: $600,000
Gulf County Water System: $1,000,000
Suwannee County Regional Shelter: $2,500,000
Suwannee County Critical 911 Communications Equipment: $550,000
Suwannee County Emergency Communications System: $1,500,000
Suwannee School District School Door Barricades: $172,500
Total: $74,613,741
James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on him Twitter: @CallTallahassee
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Big Bend secures $85 million in state budget for local projects