Florida Senate outlines funding plan for Hurricane Michael recovery

May 6, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.(WCTV) -- The Florida Senate has released its conference report on Senate Bill 2500, the 2019-2020 General Appropriations Act, which designates funding for Hurricane Michael recovery.

The funding brings the total state investment in Hurricane Michael recovery to $1.859 billion.

The Senate released the following details about the bill:

• Emergency Funds Allocated: $1.639 Billion

• SPB 2500, General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2019-2020: $220.9 million

Restore Critical Life-Safety Services to Panhandle Communities

• Calhoun Liberty Hospital – Rebuild, $3 million

• Jackson Hospital – Emergency Backup Water System, $0.3 million

• Doctors Memorial – Critical Rural Clinic, $1 million

• Mental and Telehealth Services - $0.2 million

• Public Safety Communications Tower – Washington County, $0.6 million

• Volunteer Fire Department – Calhoun County, $0.2 million

• Repair Guard Rails and Replace Road Signs – Liberty County, $0.1 million

• Fire Hydrants and Road Signs – City of Parker, $0.04 million

• New building for the Bay County Sheriff’s Office $1.4 million

• Affordable Housing for Hurricane Recovery – $115 million

• Grant program for local governments and schools in Division of Emergency Management, $25 million

• Jackson County Courthouse Repairs, $1.6 million

• Repair and Rebuild City of Blountstown Infrastructure, $0.8 million

• Repair and Rebuild City of Altha Infrastructure, $0.6 million

• Repair and Rebuild Calhoun County Infrastructure, $0.6 million

• Repair and Rebuild Franklin County Infrastructure, $0.8 million

• Repair and Rebuild City of Port St. Joe Infrastructure, $0.3 million

• Repair and Rebuild City of Wewahitchka Infrastructure, $0.6 million

• Repair and Rebuild Gulf County Infrastructure, $0.9 million

• Repair and Rebuild City of Parker Infrastructure, $0.2 million

• Repair and Rebuild Gadsden County Infrastructure, $0.3 million

• City of Gretna Water System Damage, $0.08 million

• City of Callaway Storm Water System Repairs, $0.5 million

• Bay County Storm Water and Wastewater System Repairs, $1.9 million

• Repair and Rebuild City of Quincy Infrastructure, $.08 million

• Repair and Rebuild City of Chattahoochee Infrastructure, $.08 million

• Repair and Rebuild Liberty County Infrastructure, $0.8 million

• Repair and Rebuild Washington County Agriculture Center, $0.05 million

• Repair and Rebuild Bay County Infrastructure, $1.4 million

• County and Municipal Roads, $15 million

• City of Callaway Road Repairs, $0.5 million

• Panama City Roadways and Drainage Repairs, $0.5 million

• Bay County Road Repair and Traffic Safety, $3.8 million

• City of Lynn Haven Road Repair, $1 million

• Senate Bill 7068, which passed in both the House and Senate, provides an additional $20 million.

• Student Enrollment Decline – Hold Harmless, $14.2 million

• Special Facility School Construction – Jackson County, $19.1 million

• Special Facility School Construction – Liberty County, $6.1 million

• Veterans Memorial Railroad Park – Liberty County, $0.08 million

• Local Parks and Sports Complex – City of Parker, $0.04 million

• Division of Emergency Management Local Government Assistance, 20 FTE and $1.5 million

• City of Parker Emergency Protective Measures, $.03 million

• Bay County Emergency Protective Measures, $0.6 million

Tax Relief for Impacted Property Owners

• Partnership with Triumph Gulf Coast – $15 million TF

House Bill 7123, the 2019 Tax Relief Package under consideration in the House and Senate, creates several tax relief benefits related to hurricane response, recovery, and preparedness.

• Tangible personal property owned and operated by a farm, farm operation, or agriculture processing facility located in Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, or Wakulla County that was unable to be used for at least 60 days following Hurricane Michael will be valued at its salvage value for the 2019 ad valorem tax roll.

• Sales tax exemption for building materials used to replace or repair nonresidential farm buildings damaged as a direct result of Hurricane Michael and purchased during the period from October 10, 2018, through June 30, 2019.

• Sales tax exemption for fencing materials used to replace or repair farm fences on agricultural land damaged as a direct result of Hurricane Michael and purchased during the period from October 10, 2018, through June 30, 2019.

• Refund of fuel taxes used for agricultural shipment or hurricane debris removal after Hurricane Michael. The exemption applies to state and local taxes on fuel purchased and used in Florida during the period of October 10, 2018, through June 30, 2019.

House Bill 7123 would also create a seven-day “disaster preparedness” sales tax holiday from May 31 to June 6, 2019, for disaster preparedness supplies. Tax-free items include: flashlights and lanterns costing $20 or less; radios and tarps costing $50 or less; coolers and batteries costing $30 or less; and, generators costing $750 or less, among others.