South Florida Water Management District public meetings in 2024
26 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Audit & Finance Committee
The Audit & Finance Committee will review the proposed audit plan for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and a long-term plan through 2030. The body will also receive an investment summary as of October 31, 2024, and reports from the Inspector General.
- Proposed Audit Plan for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
- Long-Term Audit Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2030
- Summary of Investments as of October 31, 2024
- Inspector General Monitoring Review of Construction Change Orders
- Inspector General Audit of Department of Motor Vehicles File Security
December 2024 Governing Board Meeting
The Governing Board is deciding on the adoption of a five-year strategic plan and various land and infrastructure projects. The meeting includes votes on water treatment equipment, dredging services, and software implementation. Board members will also discuss progress on sending water south via the Central Everglades Planning Project South Phase.
- C-38S Aquifer Storage and Recovery membrane equipment contracts not to exceed $13,238,000
- STA-2 Cell 1 Spreader Canal Maintenance Dredging contract with Ryan Incorporated Civil for $4,540,380
- Sherpa Budget software subscription and implementation contract totaling $2,127,409
- S-9 Pump Station temporary pumps purchase order amendment not to exceed $908,950
- Acquisition of 1.0 acres in the Pal Mar project in Martin County for $16,000
Resiliency Coordination Forum
The District is hosting a forum to discuss resiliency updates and strategies. The meeting includes presentations from state, local, and federal partners regarding flood and saltwater intrusion monitoring.
- Saltwater Intrusion Monitoring Update
- Resilient Jacksonville interdisciplinary strategy presentation
- Central and Southern Florida Flood Resiliency Study and Integration Studies updates
- Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation workgroup updates
The forum served as a coordination meeting to share updates on flood vulnerability assessments, saltwater intrusion monitoring, and regional resiliency projects. No formal votes or legislative decisions were recorded; the session focused on reporting progress and inter-agency collaboration.
Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP)
The South Florida Water Management District, DEP, and FDACS are holding a joint public workshop. The meeting consists of progress updates and presentations regarding the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP).
- DEP update on Water Quality Restoration Program
- FDACS update on Agricultural Water Policy
- SFWMD update on Watershed Construction Projects
- Update on the NEEPP and Regional Simulation Model
Everglades Technical Oversight Committee (TOC)
The Everglades Technical Oversight Committee will meet to review the Second Quarter of Calendar Year 2024 Settlement Agreement Report. The committee will also receive an update on the S-333 Working Group and discuss 2025 meeting dates.
- Approval of October 1, 2024 meeting summary
- Second Quarter of Calendar Year 2024 Settlement Agreement Report
- S-333 Working Group Update
- Discussion of 2025 quarterly meeting dates
November 2024 Governing Board Meeting
The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board meets to vote on five-year cattle grazing lease extensions on 18,466 acres across Okeechobee, Osceola, and Polk counties, land acquisitions in Orange County, and major contracts including mowing services, a flight operations facility, and IT upgrades. The board also considers a settlement agreement in a closed session.
- Authorize five-year cattle grazing lease extensions with 441 Cattle, LLC on 4,466.34 acres in Okeechobee County for $81,000 annual revenue
- Authorize six five-year cattle grazing lease extensions on 14,000 acres in Osceola and Polk counties for $103,000 combined annual revenue
- Approve $148,000 purchase of 3.70 acres in Shingle Creek Project, Orange County
- Amend mowing contract with CM Harris, Inc. to add 3,250 acres for $332,832.50
- Authorize $3,144,588 amendment for Phase Two site development of Operations Facility in Palm Beach County
Reception/Public Event
Members of the Governing Board will attend a public reception at the Clewiston Museum. No official action will be taken by the Board during this event.
- Public reception at Clewiston Museum, 109 Central Avenue
Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Flood Resiliency Study
The South Florida Water Management District is conducting a project planning meeting regarding the Central and Southern Florida Flood Resiliency Study for Broward Basins. The session focuses on the Section 203 Water Resources Water Development Act of 1986 and the evaluation and modeling tools used for the study.
- Overview of Section 203 Water Resources Water Development Act of 1986
- Introduction to the C&SF Flood Resiliency Study - Broward Basins
- Discussion of evaluation and modelling tools
Recreational Public Forum
The South Florida Water Management District is hosting a public forum to discuss recreational projects and updates. The meeting includes presentations on the Okaloacoochee Slough Wildlife Management Area and the Grassy Island Bike Club.
- Presentation on Okaloacoochee Slough Wildlife Management Area
- Presentation by Grassy Island Bike Club
- Recreational project updates from SFWMD Section Leader Dan Cotter
Big Cypress Basin Board
The Big Cypress Basin Board will review progress on several ecosystem restoration and watershed initiatives. The meeting includes reports on saltwater intrusion mapping and current water conditions.
- Picayune Strand Restoration Project update from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Ecosystem Restoration Project update
- Corkscrew Watershed Initiative update
- 5-Year Update on the Lower West Coast Saltwater Intrusion Mapping
- Approval of August 23, 2024 meeting minutes
Lower Kissimmee Basin Water Supply Plan Update
The South Florida Water Management District is conducting a stakeholder meeting to discuss the draft 2024 Lower Kissimmee Basin Water Supply Plan Update. The session includes a review of water resource protection tools and an overview of the draft plan.
- Overview of the Draft 2024 Lower Kissimmee Basin Water Supply Plan Update
- Discussion of Water Resource Protection Tools
October 2024 Governing Board Meeting
The Governing Board is deciding on several land acquisitions, infrastructure contracts, and grant agreements. The meeting includes approvals for flood control projects and emergency orders issued in response to Hurricane Helene.
- Contract for C-23/C-24 RSTA Microwave Tower Project in St. Lucie County for $15,345,000
- Contract for Underground Storage Tank Replacement in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties for $14,272,000
- Purchase offer of $5,350,000 for 1.116 acres for the C-7 Basin Resiliency Project in Miami-Dade County
- Three Resilient Florida Grant agreements totaling approximately $45 million
- Contract for C-44 RSTA Recreation Features Project in Martin County for $2,200,000
Everglades Technical Oversight Committee (TOC)
The Everglades Technical Oversight Committee (TOC) meets to discuss the First Quarter 2024 Settlement Agreement Report and receive an update on the S-333 Working Group. The committee will also follow up on a 2023 water exceedance issue in Shark River Slough.
- Consider approval of June 25, 2024 meeting summary
- Review First Quarter 2024 Settlement Agreement Report
- Receive S-333 Working Group update
- Discuss Shark River Slough exceedance for Federal Water Year 2023
Final Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Final Millage Rates and Final Budget
The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board holds its final public hearing to adopt the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 final millage rates and final budget. The board will certify tax levies for four basins and the Everglades Construction Project, then adopt a $1,630,332,002 budget for the year.
- Adopt District-wide final millage rate of 0.0948 mill
- Adopt Big Cypress Basin final millage rate of 0.0978 mill
- Adopt Okeechobee Basin final millage rate of 0.1026 mill
- Adopt Everglades Construction Project final millage rate of 0.0327 mill
- Adopt final budget of $1,630,332,002 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Tentative Ad Valorem Millage Rates, Non Ad Valorem Tax Rolls, and Tentative Budget
The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board will hold a public hearing to adopt tentative millage rates for four basins and a $1.63 billion budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. Residents may comment on the proposed rates and budget before votes on six resolutions.
- Adopt District-wide millage rate of 0.0948 mill
- Adopt Big Cypress Basin millage rate of 0.0978 mill
- Adopt Okeechobee Basin millage rate of 0.1026 mill
- Adopt Everglades Construction Project millage rate of 0.0327 mill
- Approve $1,630,332,002 tentative budget for FY 2024-2025
September 2024 Governing Board Meeting
The Governing Board is reviewing several land acquisitions, environmental research agreements, and infrastructure contracts. Key decisions include the refurbishment of critical flood control structures and the release of conservation easements.
- Contract with Harry Pepper & Associates, Inc. for STA-1W Structure Refurbishments in Palm Beach County for $60,752,471
- Contract with Janus Research, Inc. for cultural resource surveys not to exceed $5,000,000
- Agreement with Archbold Expeditions DBA Buck Island Ranch for monitoring and outreach not to exceed $1,835,688
- Grounds maintenance contract with Inshape Maintenance, Inc. not to exceed $1,063,150
- Acquisition of 1.0 acres in the Pal Mar project in Martin County for $14,000
Kissimmee River Headwaters Revitalization Schedule Open House and National Environmental Policy Act Scoping Meeting #2
The South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers host an open house and NEPA scoping meeting to discuss the Kissimmee River Headwaters Revitalization Schedule. The event includes an overview of the restoration project, a presentation on the NEPA process, and a public comment period.
- Kissimmee River Restoration Project Headwaters Revitalization Schedule Overview
- NEPA Process presentation by USACE Biologist Richard Skinker
- Public comments session
Resiliency Coordination Forum
The South Florida Water Management District is convening a forum to discuss resiliency updates and flood readiness. The meeting includes reports on Hurricane Ian and the Central and Southern Florida Flood Resiliency Study.
- Hurricane Ian After Action Summary from the Florida Division of Emergency Management
- City of Hollywood Stormwater and Coastal Master Plan presentation
- Central and Southern Florida Flood Resiliency Study updates from USACE and SFWMD
- King Tide and Wet Season Readiness briefing
- Statewide Office of Resilience update
Community Meeting for the Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area
The South Florida Water Management District is holding an in-person open house to discuss the Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area Project. No formal presentation will take place; staff will be available to answer questions and receive public comments.
- Public discussion of the Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area Project
Community Meeting for the Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area
The South Florida Water Management District is hosting an in-person open house to discuss the Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area Project. Staff will be available to answer questions and receive public comments; no formal presentation is scheduled.
- Open house for the Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area Project
Big Cypress Basin Board
The Big Cypress Basin Board will meet to vote on two resolutions: one setting the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 millage rate at 0.0978 mills and another submitting a $22,006,945 basin budget to the South Florida Water Management District. The board will also hear staff reports on water conditions, financials, and field station activities, along with presentations on Lake Trafford restoration and Picayune Strand ecological projects.
- Approve $22,006,945 Fiscal Year 2024-2025 basin budget (Resolution BCBB 2024-0802)
- Set 0.0978 mill tax rate for Basin funding (Resolution BCBB 2024-0801)
- Lake Trafford Aquatic Enhancement presentation
- Picayune Strand Restoration plant and fauna update
- Bird Rookery Swamp Boardwalk Replacement discussion
August 2024 Governing Board Meeting
The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board will decide on multiple land acquisitions, exchanges, and contracts totaling over $16 million. Items include purchasing 11.18 acres in Orange County for $563,000, approving a $10.7M emergency response equipment package for hurricane season, and awarding a $16.2M contract for site preparation on the C-25 Reservoir project in St. Lucie County.
- Approve $563K purchase of 11.18 acres in Shingle Creek Project, Orange County
- Authorize $10.7M emergency response equipment for 2024 hurricane season
- Award $16.2M contract to Ryan Incorporated Southern for C-25 Reservoir site prep in St. Lucie County
- Approve $5.96M contract for Caloosahatchee Reservoir water quality treatment in Hendry County
- Authorize $6.69M communications tower project in Collier County
June 2024 Governing Board Meeting
The Governing Board approved significant funding for the C-43 Reservoir and several critical flood control infrastructure contracts. The Board also extended multiple cattle grazing leases and updated procurement policies.
- Approved $60M additional budgetary authority for C-43 Caloosahatchee Basin Storage Reservoir (Unanimous)
- Approved $5M contract amendment for Kirwin Norris, P.A. regarding C-43 Reservoir litigation (Unanimous)
- Approved $9,997,832 contract with Harry Pepper & Associates, Inc. for G-335 Trash Rake Replacement (Unanimous)
- Approved $3,997,000 contract with Expert Construction Managers, Inc. for B-1 Building infrastructure (Unanimous)
- Approved $10M increase across seven professional engineering services contracts (Unanimous)
- Approved five-year cattle grazing lease extensions for C 2 Ranch, Inc. and Byron & Janet P. Storey (Unanimous)
- Approved ten-year cattle grazing lease extensions for Brewer Cattle Company, LLC and Diamond 3 Cattle Company, LLC (Unanimous)
- Approved changes to delegated authority for procurement and contracting under District Policy (Unanimous)
April 2024 Governing Board Meeting
The Governing Board approved several land acquisitions, infrastructure contracts, and a $59.4M reservoir project in St. Lucie County. The Board also authorized $15M for science and technology support services across six private firms and proclaimed April as Water Conservation Month.
- Approved $59.4M contract with Phillips & Jordan, Inc. for C23/24 South Reservoir Project Package 1
- Authorized $15M for Science and Technology Support Services contracts with six private firms
- Approved $3.86M for Indian River Lagoon - South Project easement acquisitions (Unanimous)
- Approved $6.07M amendment for Clewiston Field Station IT Facility and Microwave Tower construction
- Authorized $803,518.12 Change Order No. 2 for C-23 Estuary Discharge Diversion
- Approved $3.3M Change Order No. 7 for S-9 and S-9A Trash Rake and Pump Station Refurbishments
- Approved agreement with Village of Wellington to allow a cell tower on 0.35 acres
- Proclaimed April 2024 as Water Conservation Month
Big Cypress Basin Board
The Board unanimously approved the minutes from the October 27, 2023, meeting. Other agenda items consisted of staff reports and discussions regarding watershed initiatives, mowing studies, and capital improvements.
- Approved October 27, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
February 2024 Governing Board Meeting
The Governing Board approved a series of professional engineering contracts totaling up to $500 million for restoration and operations projects. The Board also passed a consent agenda authorizing multiple infrastructure contracts, research agreements, and mowing services.
- Approved $500M for 17 professional engineering services contracts (Unanimous)
- Approved $1M contract with Pantropic Power, Inc. for Back Up Controller System
- Approved $1,140,465 agreement with Accurate Welding Services, LLC for crane refurbishment
- Approved $12,839,904 amendment for Okeechobee Field Station Relocation Project
- Approved $4,701,114 total for ASR Well studies with US Army Corps of Engineers
- Approved $705,127.50 mowing contract with Brightview Landscape Services, Inc.
- Approved $663,586 slope mowing contract with Toler Enterprises, Inc.
- Approved $279,000 research agreement with Florida International University