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Margate's Fair Share of the Stimulus
• Energy grant already awarded to city
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Monday,
April 6, 2009
Hot off the press is a report released by Congressman Robert Wexler’s office (District 19) entitled Reinvesting in Florida’s Economy: an Economic Stimulus Guide for the South Florida Community, a composite version of Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment act that more clearly defines how federal stimulus funds might impact South Floridians.
Kind enough to field questions from Margate officials and the public at a recent city commission meeting, Wexler’s Assistant, Theresa Brier, explained Wexler’s position as a Congressman in the fight for Florida’s fair share of federal funds. Officially, Wexler has no control over how much state-awarded stimulus money his District receives.
As outlined in Wexler’s plan: Federal funds for many programs will distributed “by formula” to the states, and monies handed down to Florida municipalities will be at the discretion of the state. Read Wexler’s Plan
How does Margate get its fair share?
City officials in Margate will be matching up available grants in coming months with $28 million in needed capital projects. City staff will be attending state and county briefings and sitting in on webinars that address stimulus funding. Margate looks to fund projects mostly under three categories:
1. Environmental Protection: Build a water reuse facility for irrigation purposes. Construct a two million gallon above ground storage tank for treated water. Miscellaneous water treatment upgrades.
2. Transportation and Infrastructure: Redo Royal Palm Boulevard from State Road 7 west to the one-mile canal. Install retaining wall destroyed by Hurricane Wilma (from Rock Island Road west to NW 79th Avenue). 10 bus shelters. Mart arms at major city intersections. Margate Capital Projects List
3. Homeland Security: Installation of a precast concrete wall along the perimeter of the wastewater treatment plant; a continuation of the security measures adopted previously by the City to protect the city’s water and wastewater infrastructure.
City officials are optimistic over receiving stimulus monies. Florida has been one of the hardest hit states by the recession and is experiencing high foreclosure and unemployment rates. Since Margate already receive funds for public safety and community services through community development block grants, the city is positioned well to receive additional dollars, say officials.
Alongside neighboring cities Tamarac, Pompano and North Lauderdale, Margate has received a grant from the federal government in the amount of $498,200 for energy efficiency and conservation. One idea for the money, say city officials, is to put Margate meter readers in hybrid cars.
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Copyright Cassius Group 2009
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