Appropriations

Appropriations

2025 Community Budget Requests (PENDING)

For FY 2025, Members of Congress were permitted to submit Community Project funding requests which met the needs of the communities they serve to the House Appropriations Committee. In the interest of full and complete transparency, Members are required to post information about the projects they submit on their official websites. Projects submitted must be a good and appropriate use of public funds and have a federal nexus.  Congressman Bilirakis received many high-quality proposals from local governments. While many of these proposals addressed significant need within the community, the Congressman could only select 15 projects. The selected projects are listed below.

  • Citrus County Sheriff  – Emergency Communications System Enhancements - $3 million-  The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, the only full-spectrum law enforcement agency serving citizens in the county, has a critical operational need to upgrade to advanced interoperability technology for law enforcement communications via portable and mobile radios. This project will facilitate the deployment of critically needed advanced technology, enhanced security, intuitive user interface, and integrated applications.  The requested amount would be used to purchase emergency radio equipment, including mobile and portable radios to replace current radio equipment, a significant portion of which is approaching the end of its operational life. This project is a mission essential, absolute good use of taxpayer funds because this equipment has the capability of facilitating seamless enhanced interoperability with other agencies and first responders.  Overall benefits include:  Advanced Technology: LTE connectivity, enabling seamless integration with broadband networks, Improved Situational Awareness: With integrated GPS and mapping capabilities, Advanced Security Features: including end-to-end encryption and secure authentication protocols, and Reliable Communication in Challenging All Hazards Environments.For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Citrus%20Sheriff%20Financial%20Disclosure.pdf

  • Hernando County Sheriff – Equipment/Technology Upgrades - $2,873,000- With this $2,873,000 project the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office seeks to advance community safety through State-of-the-Art Digital and Biological Forensics Tools. In an era marked by rapid technological advancement and evolving criminal tactics, ensuring community safety demands cutting-edge investigative techniques. This project intends to leverage the available advancements in technology to better serve the community through diverse disciplines, allowing for a broad- based deployment of investigative techniques.  For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Hernando%20Sheriff%20Financial%20Disclosure.pdf

  • Pasco County Sheriff –Pasco Sheriff’s Office Human Performance Program Equipment and Technology -$2 million -. Pasco Sheriff’s Office remains on the forefront of health and fitness for members. Law enforcement can be a physically demanding profession, with law enforcement officers regularly carrying several pounds of equipment while being asked to run, jump and other physical activities during the normal course of their job.  Through the Pasco Sheriff’s Office Human Performance Program, a focus has been developed on wellness and physical health for members through a regular physical training program. This focus reduces downtime for members, allowing the agency to best serve the community with minimal staffing, while reducing injuries and improving the quality of life of members of the Sheriff’s Office.  This appropriation would provide for additional equipment and technology for this program to allow the agency to best serve its members while also allowing them to serve the community. https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Updated%20Financial%20Disclosure%20Pasco%20Sheriff.pdf 

  • Hernando Schoolsand Hernando County Government– Hernando County Business Incubation Center - $3.5 million - This is a partnership between Hernando County School District and Government, located on the Wilton Simpson Technical College campus. The incubation center seeks to create an ecosystem where businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students can innovate and commercialize space technologies. Industry and education can meet to create emerging products and technologies in current technical fields. Through access to state-of-the-art facilities, mentorship programs, funding opportunities, and networking events, participants will be empowered to turn their ideas into viable businesses and research endeavors.This incubator can stimulate economic growth within Florida’s 12th District, and Florida as a whole with regards to becoming leaders in space innovation. This will create a space where 24,000+ students within the District (and surrounding areas), will have an opportunity to work with businesses who want to mentor the next generation. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Hernando%20Schools%20Financial%20Disclosure.pdf

  • Hernando County Government - Converting Private Sewer Package Plants to Centralized Sewer-$4.4 million- Hernando County Utilities Department received a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to decommission four existing RV sewer treatment package plants and construct lift stations to connect them to centralized sewer. The County is working on completing 100% of the design and 60% is currently finished. With the current cost estimates, there is only enough grant funding to complete one of the four lift stations needed. Hernando County Utilities Department would like to request additional funding from the State. The current shortfall to construct the remaining three totals $4.4 million. Attached are the current cost estimates. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.  https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Hernando%20County%20Sewer%20Financial%20Disclosure.pdf

  • Pasco County -Inline Chlorine Booster Station Project- $6,844,080 - To facilitate compliance with national primary and state drinking water regulations related to chlorine levels, the County frequently flushes potable water mains which results in the unnecessary disposal of treated drinking water that could otherwise be distributed to customers. Chlorine booster stations provide a better alternative by maintaining adequate disinfection levels for drinking water that avoids the unnecessary disposal of water. The chlorine booster stations will be constructed downstream of the points of connection from Tampa Bay Water, the County’s regional water provider. These stations will help maintain compliance and protect public health. The project supports the County’s Strategic Goal 1.3.A, to operate infrastructure systems in a safe, compliant, effective, and cost-efficient manner.  This request will fund the design, construction engineering, inspection services, testing and the cost of a competitively bid construction contract for three chlorine booster stations.https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Pasco%20County%20Booster%20Stations%20Financial%20Disclosure.pdf

  • City of Brooksville – Wastewater Expansion - $2.5 million - The City of Brooksville faces urgent wastewater capacity challenges due to rapid growth, with the wastewater treatment facility nearing full capacity by 2028-2029, as indicated by a recent engineering capacity analysis. Expansion to treat 5 million gallons daily and a local sewer interconnect is crucial for environmental safety and service sustainability. This project includes $2 million for engineering and design for the wastewater treatment plant expansion and $500,000 for the engineering and design of the sewer interconnect with Hernando County. These engineering efforts prioritize community well-being and future growth needs. With strategic planning and technical expertise, the requested $2 million funding for engineering phases addresses the first step in Brooksville's pressing wastewater infrastructure needs. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding. https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/bilirakis-blog/brooksville-wastewater-financial-disclosure

  • City of Inverness - $1 million ladder truck - The City of Inverness Fire Department does not have an aerial fire apparatus (ladder truck). The Insurance Services Office (ISO) states a fire department must have an aerial ladder if their response area has five or more buildings of three stories or more or with five buildings with a needed fire flow of 3500 GPM. The City of Inverness currently has over 40 buildings that meet the ISO criteria for a ladder truck requirement. These facilities are currently unprotected by an aerial fire apparatus in the jurisdiction. The purchase of one will enhance Pre-Disaster Mitigation by lowering risk to individuals and property. It will also spur economic development by lowering insurance rates for businesses and residents.   For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/City%20of%20Inverness%20Disclosure%20Form.pdf

  • USF – Molecular Profiling Center for Brain Research to help Advance Cures for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS and other neurological diseases - $4 million - The requested $4,000,000 would be used by the University of South Florida (USF) to purchase and install new single-cell proteomics and transcriptomics and other related research instruments. These new technologies will better enable USF researchers to tackle complex challenges in brain and biomedical research leading to lifesaving disease treatments. An immediate application of the single-cell capability is the investigation of mechanisms related to TBI, PTSD, and vascular dementia among veterans, and cellular dysfunction in brain disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and related neurological disorders. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because discoveries enabled by this equipment will lead to more clinical trials accessible to veterans and residents in and near Florida’s 12th district who are experiencing neuro-related illnesses.  For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/bilirakis-blog/usf-financial-disclosure

  • Pasco County /Area Agency on Aging – Affordable Housing for Seniors -$4 million - Pasco County Florida’s senior population continues to grow at an unprecedented rate while housing costs have outpaced senior incomes for decades.  These trends result in a senior housing affordability crisis for both renters (who are being forced out by rising rents) as well as homeowners who cannot afford their mortgages, rising property taxes and maintenance costs. Housing security is the number one predicator of health and wellness according to several published studies.  This funding will result in a dynamic community senior center located on the ground floor that will offer affordable senior apartments on the upper floors and provide a system of support and services to assist seniors to remain in their homes and community as they age in Pasco County. As seniors age, they need social connection with activities, wellness education, and congregate dining in a trusted, supportive community location. Seniors also need in-home supportive services, including delivered meals, light housekeeping and cooking, transportation to life-sustaining appointments and access to activities of socialization. The project will prioritize the creation of a dynamic senior center for the community and additional low-income affordable residential housing units to address the growing community need and demand for affordable housing for fixed income seniors in Pasco County.   This age friendly housing will provide seniors with options that allow them to age in place in a safe and affordable environment that provides access to evidence-based health and wellness programs to mitigate fall risks, mental health counseling and chronic disease management as well as light housekeeping, cooking/home delivered meals, transportation, emergency alert services as their needs change.  The need for the project is critical due to rising housing costs in Pasco County leading to seniors being evicted from their homes due to rising rents and condo fees they cannot afford on a fixed income.  Calls to the AAAPP’s federally mandated HelpLine regarding housing insecurity have increased by 46% over last year with more seniors identifying as in imminent risk of homelessness.  Pasco County Government values its partnership with the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco – Pinellas (AAAPP) a non-profit organization that has served seniors and individuals with disabilities in our community since 1974. The AAAPP is the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for Pasco and Pinellas counties, providing an initial entry point for all aging and disability social services and coordinating a network of partners and providers to better meet the needs of our aging community. The Federal Older Americans Act legislation mandates all Area Agencies on Aging will provide a system of support and services to assist older adults so that they can remain in their homes and communities as they age. The AAAPP’s mission is to be a trusted resource to advocate, educate and empower seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers which promotes independence, in partnership with the community.  Pasco County Government and the AAAPP serves seniors through services either directly or through vendors which includes case management, home and personal care, meals, transportation, adult day care, legal assistance, chore, caregiver support, emergency alert response, health and wellness evidenced based programs, emergency energy crisis assistance, information and assistance, mental health counseling, pet support and virtual programming to relieve social isolation. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.  https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/bilirakis-blog/pasco-county-senior-housing-financial-disclosure

  • City of Crystal River – Wastewater Treatment Plant $8 million- The City wastewater treatment facility (WWTP) is located within the Priority Focus Area (PFA) for the Kings Bay Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) which is impaired by Total Nitrogen (TN). Effluent discharged from the WWTP facilities has been identified as a significant contributor of TN to the impaired water bodies within Kings Bay. As a result,  the WWTF is required to meet an effluent TN concentration limit of 3.0 mg/L as part of its upcoming permit renewal period. Currently the WWTF does not meet the standards of the upcoming regulation, and improvements are required to bring the facility into compliance. The project will mitigate flood plain impacts and eliminate approximately 1,645 lbs/year of TN from the Kings Bay BMAP. The project will consist of design and construction of the WWTF improvements and upgrades. Some of the upgrades and improvements currently underway include: rehabilitation of existing headworks, internal cycle pump station and digester blower; installation of in-channel fine metal screens, new surface aerators on VFDs and supplemental aeration for oxidization ditch and supplemental carbon feed system; demolition of each return activated sludge/waste activated sludge pump station and construction of a single WAS pump station adjacent to proposed MBR tankage. The project will benefit residents by increasing the treatment level of the WWTP and improve the quality of effluent discharge which ultimately percolates into the aquifer that supplies the community’s drinking water.  The project will also improve the resilience of the wastewater treatment plant and make it more resistant to flooding, which will prevent any wastewater discharges that may have otherwise resulted from severe flooding incident.  For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Crystal%20River%20Financial%20Disclosure.pdf

  • Homosassa Wastewater Lift Station $4,132,000- Citrus County is located along the Florida gulf coast and is home to many unique and environmentally sensitive natural systems.  These include three first order magnitude springs and associated coastal rivers (Homosassa, Chassahowitzka and Crystal River), which are home to a large population of the endangered West Indian manatee.   The County also lies adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico’s largest seagrass bed and encompasses a significant area of conservation and preservation lands, including the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, the St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve, and the Withlacoochee State Forest.  These natural systems provide a wealth of recreational opportunities for all citizens to enjoy.  The proposed project is part of a larger ongoing effort to improve water quality within these environmentally sensitive areas by eliminating nutrient pollution due to existing septic tank effluent discharges.  The project is consistent with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Homosassa/Chassahowitzka Basin Management Action Plan, which details the need for septic to sewer conversions.  For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding. https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Financial%20Disclosure%20Citrus%20Lift%20Station.pdf

  • Pasco County – Pedestrian Overpass at 54 and Suncoast Pkwy Public Safety Project - $ 6.2 million-This project includes construction of a bike/ped overpass at SR54 and the Suncoast Parkway and will provide safety for both pedestrians and bicyclists. Benefits include safety, economic, and enhanced mobility.  There has been significant residential and commercial growth along 54 in recent years.   With the increased growth, there has been a significant impact on traffic volume.  This project will significantly help improve traffic flow through that intersection.  Additionally, this project will dramatically improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists who must cross six lanes of traffic along a major highway with a speed limit of 60 mph in order to access the 42 miles of trail that spans multiple counties. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding. https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Pasco%20Overpass%20Financial%20Disclosure.pdf

 FY2024 Community Budget Requests

For FY 2024 Members of Congress are permitted to submit Community Project funding requests which met the needs of the communities they serve to the House Appropriations Committee. In the interest of full and complete transparency, Members are required to post information about the projects they submit on their official websites. Projects submitted must be a good and appropriate use of public funds and have a federal nexus.  Congressman Bilirakis received many high-quality proposals from local governments, municipalities, and non-profits. While many of these proposals addressed significant need within the community, the Congressman could only select 15 projects. The selected projects are listed below.

 

Name of Entity Applying for Funding: Hernando County (FL) - FUNDED

Name and Email Address of Contact Person:  Steve Miller, Airport Manager, [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit?  Government

Title of Proposed Project:  Brooksville (BKV) Airport Control & Security Improvements

Amount of Funding Requested: $2,200,000

Brief Project Description:  BKV, a 2400-acre airport and technology center, is the economic engine of Hernando County.  BKV sees more than 90,000 aircraft operations annually, nearly doubling over the last 10 years.  The growth of aviation/aerospace has strained the aging infrastructure, including security/access to the infield.  The number of t-hangars has more than doubled, airside tenants have increased, and their employment has expanded putting significant demand on access points. BKV has 10 automatic gates which were installed over a period of 20+ years. The gates are differing makes and were not designed for the use they are subjected to today. The antiquated keypad system has resulted in sharing of codes, creating a potential security risk at the airport.  Installing an updated proximity card system coupled with surveillance cameras would greatly enhance security. This project will include design, engineering, construction, and installation of 10 airfield access gates, fence relocation, proximity access cards and security cameras.  https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/bilirakis-blog/statement-federal-nexus-and-no-financial-interest-disclaimer

Name of Entity Applying for Funding: Citrus County  FUNDED

Florida Name and Email Address of Contact Person:  Christina Malmberg, [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit? Yes

Title of Proposed Project: Homosassa Phase V Septic To Sewer

Amount of Funding Requested: $3,950,000

Brief Project Description:  This project consists of constructing a municipal sanitary sewer system located within the Old Homosassa community in Citrus County, Florida. Construction will allow for the connection of up to approximately 183 properties near the Homosassa River to the County’s wastewater collection system where flows will be routed to the Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility for advanced wastewater treatment. The Homosassa River has been deemed to be an impaired water body due to nutrient levels and is identified in the Chassahowitzka/Homosassa BMAP. Citrus County has prioritized replacing commercial and residential onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems with central sewer connections to reduce nutrient pollution impacting the Homosassa Springshed.  https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/homosassa-disclosure-letter.pdf

Name of Entity Applying for Funding: Pasco Sheriff’s Office  FUNDED

Name and Email Address of Contact Person: Chase Daniels, [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit? Yes

Title of Proposed Project: Pasco Sheriff’s Office Information Technology Security Center of Excellence

Amount of Funding Requested: $2,200,000

Brief Project Description:  Pasco Sheriff’s Office will utilize this funding to develop and implement cybersecurity plans to improve the capabilities in responding to cybersecurity incidents and ensure continuity of operations.  This project will allow PSO to support, in partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and lead technology integrations for security operations.  The center of excellence will provide the capability to collect more wide-ranging data on the threats specifically targeting local, state and federal law enforcement and share that information with our law enforcement partners.  https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/pasco-sheriff-disclosure-letter.pdf

Name of Entity Applying for Funding: City of Crystal River  FUNDED

Contact Person: Ken Frink [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit: Yes

Title of Proposed Project: Secondary Well Replacement

Amount of Funding Requested: $3,000,000

Brief Project Description:  The city currently provides potable water to over 2,000 customers.  The water is supplied through groundwater withdrawal, historically via a primary and secondary wells.  However, the secondary well was contaminated by a neighboring industrial site and had to be de-commissioned.  This funding will allow the city to replace the secondary well in order to increase capacity and ensure safe, reliable potable water to residents. https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/crystal-river-disclosure-letter.pdf

Name of Entity Applying for Funding: Citrus County Sheriff  

Name and Email Address of Contact Person:  Michael Prendergast, [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit?  Yes

Title of Proposed Project:  Public Safety Facility

Amount of Funding Requested: $2,000,000

Brief Project Description: The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, the only full-spectrum law enforcement agency in the county, has an urgent operational need for a dedicated public safety facility.  Training today’s law enforcement professionals has never been more critical, and the profession’s future hinges on timely in-service training, advanced training, and specialized training.  In addition to offering a location in which Citrus County Sheriff’s can receive critical training, the facility will house the county’s emergency community response teams which will allow improved responsiveness to public safety concerns.  https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/citrus-sheriff-discosure-letter.pdf

Nameof Entity Applying for Funding: Hernando County Sheriff’s Office

NameandEmailAddress of Contact Person: Col. Kenneth Hayden, [email protected]

Is the applicant a governmententity or a non-profit? Yes

Title of Proposed Project: Hernando County Crime Lab

Amount of Funding Requested: $2,000,000

Brief Project Description:  The building will provide advanced technological and scientific tools for forensic experts to meet current demands.  The Forensics Unit is currently working in the same space within the Sheriff’s Office since 1991.  The population of Hernando County has almost doubled in that time. The advent of Rapid DNA allows for both confirmation of known criminal offenders as well as clearing of innocent persons in a timely manner. As Rapid DNA evolves for investigative purposes, a modern sterile lab along with working space becomes a necessity.  The facility will allow for vehicular evidence processing bay(s), currently the agency is using a non-controlled environment (fleet garage bay).  The Crime lab will allow for expansion and the addition of modern technologies (crime gun processing, containment chambers/hoods and the future implementation of Brasstrax which will require a test firing range) and additional work stations, lab space and storage. https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/hernando-sheriff-disclosure-letter.pdf

Name of Entity Applying for Funding: Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (Facilities Management Department)   FUNDED

Name and Email Address of Contact Person:   Andrew Baxter    727-834-3292 x3921    [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit? Yes

Title of Proposed Project:  Design of Consolidated Public Safety Facility

Amount of Funding Requested:  $4,000,000.00

Brief Project Description:   Pasco County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is the oldest in the State of Florida for counties with a population of over 200,000. Pasco County, which has a population of 584,067 as of 2021, proposes to use this appropriation to design a new Public Safety Administration Building that will be located on the Public Safety Campus in Land O’ Lakes, FL. This building will replace the current EOC and consolidate the administrative operations of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue Department, Emergency Communications Department (911) and the Traffic Management Center into a hurricane rated joint operations center that will serve the citizens of Pasco County on a daily basis and become the hub of emergency response during major local emergencies. The requested funding will assist the County in designing the consolidated Public Safety Administration Building, which is similar to other Public Safety Facilities across the State of Florida. https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/pasco-eoc-disclosure-letter.pdf

Name of Entity Applying for Funding: Pasco County Housing Authority  FUNDED

Name and Email Address of Contact Person:   David Lambert, Board Chairman [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit? Yes

Title of Proposed Project: Pasco County Housing Veterans Housing  

Amount of Funding Requested:  $4,000,000.00

Brief Project Description:   The Pasco County Housing Authority, project sponsor, will be building 77 units of new construction housing for very low and low income homeless Veterans and their families and for non-elderly disabled and their families. 40 units will be for Homeless Veterans backed by VASH vouchers, and 37 will be non-elderly disabled that are transitioning out of institutional or other segregated settings, at serious risk of institutionalization, currently experiencing homelessness, previously experienced homelessness and currently a client in permanent supportive housing or rapid rehousing project, or those at risk of experiencing homelessness. Pasco County Coalition for the homeless has identified over 100 of the aforementioned individuals/families experiencing homelessness either living in Vet camps throughout the County or needing permanent housing on any given day. This new development will provide the housing needed for the target populations. The Pasco County Housing Authority has well established formal partnerships with all the agencies working with the targeted populations. The Authority has been providing the low income housing and the local agencies have been providing the social services needed to help these individuals/families become stable, get jobs as well as provide aftercare to ensure success of self-sufficiency, using and supportive services to "mainstream" these individuals/families into the community.  The Housing Authority has acquired the property with all infrastructure installed and is shovel ready. https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/housing-veterans-disclosure-letter.pdf

Name of Entity Applying for Funding: Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. FUNDED

Name, Phone Number and Email Address of Contact Person:  Ann Marie Winter:  [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit?  Yes

Title of Proposed Project: Housing Security for Seniors

Amount of Funds Requested: $3,000,000

Brief Project Description:  Housing costs have outpaced senior incomes for decades in Florida.  At the same time, the population of older adults is growing rapidly in Pasco and Pinellas counties.  The confluence of these 2 trends has brought housing affordability for older adults in focus and reaching crisis. This is affecting both renters who are being forced out by rising rents as well as homeowners who cannot afford to pay off their mortgages, pay rising property taxes and do necessary maintenance on their homes.  Housing security is the number one predicator of health and wellness according to several published studies.  The AAAPP will provide affordable housing units in Pasco County for seniors. https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/senior-housing-disclosure-letter.pdf

Name of Entity Applying for Funding: City of Brooksville   FUNDED

Name, Email Address of Contact Person: Charlene Kuhn - [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit? Yes

Title of Proposed Project: New Department of Public Works Facility

Amount of Funding Requested: $ 1,750,000.00

Brief Project Description: Construction of a new, 20,000 square foot Public Works facility to house the Department of Public Works, Fleet Services, Facilities Maintenance, Municipal Utilities and Sanitation. The existing DPW facility was constructed in 1941 and over the last two years has experienced several significant failures throughout the building. A portion of the main entry ceiling collapsed, major water leak causing major damage, extensive termite damage and several A/C units have failed. The facility has far exceeded its useful life. The new facility will provide staff offices, customer lobby, multi- use space for conference and training, restroom/locker-room facilities, break room, large vehicle garage bays and bay doors, sign shop, welding room, small engine repair and the required electrical/ mechanical rooms.  https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/brooksville-public-works-disclosure-letter.pdf

Name of Entity Applying for Funding:  Pasco County Schools

Name and Email Address of Contact Person: Ray Gadd, [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit?  Yes

Title of Proposed Project:  The EPIC Center

Amount of Funding Requested: $ 2,500,000

Brief Project Description:   Pasco County Schools has established partnerships with Moffitt Cancer Center, Pasco-Hernando State College and businesses to ensure the EPIC Center establishes and grows an economic development pipeline for career-ready graduates in high-demand fields, while increasing the effectiveness of teacher recruitment and retention efforts.  Funds will be used to equip a state of the art 10,000-square foot facility near Speros with the technology and tools to offer training related to blended instruction, the development of instructional continuity plans, best practices in oversight for blended learning.  The EPIC Center will focus on teacher recruitment and improve educator preparation throughout Florida, while also serving as a hub for flexible high school classes designed to immerse students in observations and interactions with professionals in healthcare, engineering, articifial intelligence, and cybersecurity.  An incubator for startup ventures will host and collaborate with entrepreneurs, giving valuable experience for students and teachers.  https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/epic-center-disclosure-letter.pdf

Name of Entity Applying for Funding:  Pasco County Board of County Commissioners  FUNDED

Name and Email Address of Contact Person:  David H. Engel, Pasco County Economic Growth Director, [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit?  Yes

Title of Proposed Project:  Public roadway construction for the new Speros, FL biomedical campus in Pasco County, FL

Amount of Funding Requested: $3 million

Brief Project Description:  Pasco County has teamed up with the Moffitt Cancer Center, and the State of Florida, to develop 775 acres of land in Pasco County to build a state-of-the-art healthcare hub for research and education.  The new town will be named Speros FL.  Once completed, the “Life Sciences Innovation District” at Speros FL will be a regional hub for healthcare, research, education, and biotech business development.  Moffitt estimates that the Pasco Campus expansion will create as many as 14,500 new jobs in Pasco County over the 10-year horizon of the project.  Construction of Speros FL begins this year on a new Moffitt cancer research facility that will anchor the first phase of Speros FL.  The Moffitt Economic Development Agreement that was approved by the Pasco County Board provided County funds covering the cost of the public “spine” road and utility mains on the Moffitt property. Three years hence, construction and material costs are up at least 200%.  Even with the $53m of FDOT administrated earmark funding, the project is still short $27m to complete the “spine” road and utility mains to the Sunlake Blvd. intersection. In addition to this request for a community budget request, Moffitt has received another $25 million commitment from the state for additional funds.  https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/pasco-roadway-disclosure-letter.pdf

Name of Entity Applying for Funding:  City of Inverness  FUNDED

Name and Email Address of Contact Person:  Eric Williams:[email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit?  Yes

Title of Proposed Project:  Master Lift Station Resiliency Project

Amount of Funding Requested: $2,880,000 

Brief Project Description:  All sewage collected within the City of Inverness is conveyed from Lift Station 1 to the Waste Water Treatment Plant utilizing a 16" force main located within the Highway 41 Right of Way (ROW). The proposed project will install a new 14,200 LF 18-inch force main from the master lift station to the treatment plant on an alternate route along the Withlacoochee State Trail. This improvement will offer increased capacity and protection of this critical utility, ensuring reliable wastewater service to residents within our service area.  https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/inverness-disclosure.pdf

Name of Entity Applying for Funding:  Tampa Bay Water   FUNDED

Name and Email Address of Contact Person:  James Jacobs  [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit?  Yes

Title of Proposed Project:  Surface Water Treatment Plant Expansion- Design Study

Amount of Funding Requested: $3,000,000

Brief Project Description:  To maximize the available yield of surface water supplies and allow for more resiliency in the regional water supply system, funding would support the design phase of Tampa Bay Water’s project to expand the treatment capacity of the existing Tampa Bay Water Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant. Specifically, an engineering firm retained by Tampa Bay Water through a design-build contract will develop a basis of design report for the expansion of the agency's surface water treatment plant. The Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant is part of Tampa Bay Water's wholesale water supply system that provides up to 33.75 million gallons per day (mgd) of safe drinking water to the more than 2.5 million residents within the agency’s service area. The overall objective of the project is to increase Tampa Bay Water's annual average yield of existing surface water supply by 10 mgd to 12.5 mgd.  https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/tampa-water-disclosure-letter.pdf

Name of Entity Applying for Funding: University of South Florida   FUNDED

Name and Email Address of Contact Person: Monica McClanahan, [email protected]

Is the applicant a government entity or a non-profit? Yes

Title of Proposed Project:  Global and National Security Institute

Amount of Funding Requested: $3.25 million

Brief Project Description:USF’s Global and National Security Institute (GNSI) was established to cultivate the next generation of leaders trained to solve large-scale global and national security problems. Accordingly, GNSI proposes to collaborate with researchers across USF, active duty military, veterans and others to develop the National Security Human Dynamics Network (NSHDN). NSHDN will improve USCENTCOM’s current analysis and response capabilities to cybersecurity and other threats by better understanding and anticipating the cognitive behavior of adversaries through the development of real-time decision intelligence platforms.  If funded, this request would allow USF to purchase the infrastructure necessary to model cognitive human behavior using commercial artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and platforms developed by USF. These new capabilities would permit USF to use qualitative research, modeling, simulation, and AI to enable DOD and others to better anticipate outcomes in real time to support deterrence and strategic objectives within the political, military, economic, social, and information sectors. https://bilirakis.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/bilirakis.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/usf-disclosure-letter.pdf

 

FY 2024 District 12 Community Budget Requests:  Funding is only available for local government and non-profit applicants.  The completed form must be returned to [email protected]  no later than 5:00 pm on March 10, 2023, in order to be considered for selection.  In the Subject Line, please put the following:  Title FY2024 Community Budget Request. 

This year, Members of Congress will only be able to submit 15 projects.  If you would like to review a description of projects that have been selected in previous years, please click here.  This will serve as a guide for understanding the types of projects that have been previously approved and the amount of funding historically requested.  Please keep in mind that all projects MUST align with a currently authorized federal grant program and there must be a “federal nexus” for the project.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of interest in this program, and our limited staffing resources, we are not able to schedule meetings or calls to consult with applicants on their submissions prior to the deadline.  You may, of course, email me any questions about the process.  Once the 15 projects have been selected (mid-March) our teams will notify all applicants.  We will then work directly with each selected applicant to complete the entire application process and gather required documentation. Please note that everything must be submitted by our office to the Appropriations Committee by March 24, 2023, or the Committee will reject the application.  We recognize that this an extremely tight turn around time and we will do everything we can to make the process as seamless as possible for applicants.  We look forward to the opportunity to return as much of our constituents’ tax dollars to the community as possible.  To request the form, please call 727-232-2921.  

FY 2023 Submissions

Proposed Recipient: CARES FUNDED

Address of Recipient: 12417 Clock Tower Parkway, Hudson, FL 34667

Amount of Request: $2.5 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: CARES is proposing to purchase land and build an 8,000sf "One Stop Senior Center" in the West/Central Pasco County to include but not limited the communities of: Lands O'Lakes, Trinity, New Port Richey, Hudson, Shady Hills, Port Richey, and other surrounding communities. CARES anticipates promoting quality of life and independence for frail and vulnerable seniors and their families at this center. A safe environment where the lives of senior citizens and their caregivers and families of West/Central Pasco will be enriched by the existence of a "One Stop Senior Center" geared to assist these individuals with in-home and community care to remain living independently in their communities and prevent institutional/nursing home placement. Other direct services will include Adult Day Care facility, Case Management to provide information and referrals, mental health counseling and a FREE Health Clinic for non-invasive medical care. Land/site acquisition and the construction of an 8,000sf facility to provide public services in partnership with other service providers in the areas of: Mental Health Counseling, Adult Day Care Facility, Senior Congregate Dining Facility, Case Management, In-home and Community Care, FREE Senior Health Clinic for non-invasive medical care, Intake, Resources and Referrals among other services to enhance the lives of vulnerable seniors and their caregivers.

  • Seniors' needs keep growing and services keep diminishing.
  • The State, federal, local, and private funding/grants are no longer sufficient to meet the demand of our fast growing over 60+ population and their families.
  • The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration in conjunction with the Aging Integrated Database of the US Administration on Aging reported in 2019 that there were 14,025 medically underserved senior citizens living in Pasco County.
  • The same report showed that during the period of 2012-2016 there were 15,718 probable cases of Alzheimer's Disease among seniors living throughout Pasco County.
  • The Administration for Community Living in conjunction with the Administration on Aging under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported on their 2017 Profile of Older Americans published in April 2018 the fact that "Over the past 10 years, the population age 65 and over increased from 37.2 million in 2006 to 49.2 million in 2016 (a 32% increase) and is projected to almost double to 98 million in 2060." More alarming statistics in the same report shows that "the 85 and over population is projected to more than double from 6.4 million in 2016 to 14.6 million in 2040 (a 128% increase)."
  • The target population to be served will be 60 years of age and up and 18+ for those young adults with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease, low income, minority, disadvantage, and disabled adults. CARES is currently serving over 2,000 frail seniors who receive in-home and in-facility care services in the Central/West Pasco. CARES anticipates adding another 1,000 participants on an annual basis to the different programs offered by CARES through State, Federal and Local funded programs. According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs there are 3,000+ frail and vulnerable seniors waiting for in-home and in-facility services in Pasco County.

For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Proposed Recipient: Pinellas Education Foundation (Funded)

Address of Recipient: 12090 Starkey Rd, Largo, FL 33773

Amount of Request: $1,229,396

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: The Pinellas Early Literacy Initiative (PELI) prioritizes improvements in literacy instruction for Pre-K – 2nd grade in 16 Title I schools and up to 16 community Pre-K providers. Recognizing that a kindergarten readiness gap exists for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) participants, particularly for low-income and minority students, this initiative connects public and private Pre-K providers to developmentally appropriate literacy training and coaching. By leveraging high-quality training with coaching for both Pre-K and K-2 teachers, student literacy gaps will dissipate rapidly and prepare students for the more rigorous content of grades 3-5. Training on the science of reading and evidence-based early literacy practices are essential pathways to excellence. PELI will ensure that 100% of Pre-K-2nd grade teachers at these schools and private providers increase their knowledge of the science of reading and implement evidence-based practices, resulting in improvements in student outcomes. Ensuring that all students can read by 3rd grade is a community imperative that is being worked on by numerous community agencies in addition to all public and private school systems. Literate students are better citizens, improve the quality of life for all taxpayers, and increase economic opportunity for themselves and the region. Educators have long understood that reading achievement is a determinant of academic success in all subject areas. The Pinellas Early Literacy Initiative, a program developed by the Pinellas Education Foundation and Pinellas County Schools, aims to improve kindergarten readiness rates and literacy proficiency among Pre-K and elementary school students. The Initiative focuses on kindergarten readiness by extending the science of reading into Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) and K-2 classrooms where teachers have an opportunity to affect educational achievement through evidence-based instruction. Additionally, this is a private/public partnership. Philanthropy, the school district and the education foundation are matching with an additional $3,183,723 over four years toward this initiative. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Recipient: Pasco Alliance for Healthy Communities/Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (FUNDED)

Address of Recipient: 7809 Massachusetts Ave, New Port Richey, FL 34653

Amount of Request: $800,000

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit:

The opioid overdose and addiction crisis has hit an all-time high nationally, costing our nation over 600 billion annually; and in our community Pasco Sheriff's Office data shows the number of drug related overdoses locally reached 1,526 overdoses in 2021, which is a record high. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Pasco County has also experienced a concerning spike in overdose rates that are higher than the national average. In 2020, during the COVID-19 mandated "Stay At Home Order", Pasco County saw the highest overdose rates in its history. Furthermore, according to the Florida Department of Health's data, drug poisonings were already the third leading cause of unintentional injury hospitalizations among youth ages 15-19 in Pasco County (FDOH, 2019.) Suicide attempts with medications also hit an all-time high among youth ages 10 -14 increasing 63% from 27 attempts in 2015 to 44 attempts in 2018. (Florida Poison Control, 2019.) With the ever-increasing circle of family, friends and loved ones impacted by the overdose crisis, this project could foreseeably reach up to 100,000 constituents in our area each year. The Alliance for Healthy Communities (AHC) is perfectly poised to continue to convene Pasco County; bringing all stakeholders in addiction prevention, treatment and recovery together to work collaboratively on the opioid overdose and addiction epidemic for community level change. With the funding, the Alliance for Communities, Incorporated (AHC) will collaborate with The Hope Shot, a 501c3 non-profit organization, to open an inclusive community center for addiction prevention and recovery. This center will be a "one-stop-shop" for Pasco County residents on addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery resources. The center will house resources for those seeking help for addiction, their children, family members, youth, and anyone impacted by the opioid epidemic. Supports will include (but are not limited to): recovery and mental health Peer Support Specialists; Navigation Specialists; prevention education, individual support, and classes; peer support meetings; overdose prevention education; medication safety and Narcan. The center will also engage additional community partners, identified by AHC's Pasco ASAP coalition, to bring rotating services such as medical assistance, housing, job skills and more to the recovery community in Pasco County Florida. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest

Recipient: Youth and Family Alternatives (Not-Funded)

Address of Recipient: 7524 Plathe Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34653

Amount of Request: $2.5 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: This project will assist Pasco County in providing the highest quality services to children and families in need in the most effective manner. Most importantly is the ability to collaborate and centralize services so that they can be provided seamlessly and as early as possible, increasing the success of families served. The Center will provide comprehensive care by providing needed services under one roof, but it will also reduce lease expenses for all the agencies, thus being able to reinvest the savings directly into services for the children and families served. The targeted population includes families with open investigations with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office Child Protection Investigation Division, families served by the Lead Agency subcontracted Diversion provider as a result of an investigation in order to divert them from entering the child welfare system, and families in the child welfare system who have an open case and are receiving Case Management services. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.This social services partnership model (co-location) will deliver a single point of access to a variety of services for children and families. Studies have shown that integrating protective services with foster and adoption services have positive short-term and long-term outcomes in the following areas: increased communication between agencies, staff experience a greater understanding of each other's programs, improved system coordination, more timely access to services for families, enhanced family engagement, enhanced family systems approach, and clients are more likely to be referred to community-based services. Creating continuity of care and improved communication will eliminate challenges among various not for profit agencies that are currently experienced in serving children and families involved in the child welfare system. The Center will provide the opportunity to create robust partnerships between state agencies and public, private, and community organizations. It will also improve the resources available through reduced lease cost savings to multiple organizations to be provided to caregivers and those in care. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Recipient: City of Tarpon Springs (Funded)

Address of Recipient: 324 E. Pine Street, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688

Amount of Request: $4,000,000

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: Craig Park/Spring Bayou Seawall and Sidewalk Repair and Resiliency Upgrade Project. Funds would be used to replace deteriorating historic seawalls and waterfront sidewalk, raising them to address sea level rise. Tarpon Springs is the lowest city land area in Pinellas County and is the greatest at risk to flooding. The sidewalks and City dock on Spring Bayou are frequently underwater. This has also caused structural problems. Access to the scenic Spring Bayou area is often barricaded to pedestrian access. Replacement of the aging, historic seawall and sidewalk along Spring Bayou at Craig Park is necessary. The new seawall and sidewalk would be installed at a higher elevation to address sea level rise. Craig Park, adjacent to Spring Bayou, is over 130 years old and has 1,910 feet of seawall and waterfront sidewalk facilities as well as a public boat launch, kayak/canoe dock, shuffleboard, tennis, children's playground, a bandshell, a war memorial, the City's Heritage Museum, and a City Recreation Center. The Park functions as a central park for the City, attracting numerous annual events, festivals, weddings, gatherings, the Greek Epiphany Celebration, and seasonal manatee viewing in Spring Bayou. The existing seawall and waterfront sidewalk on Spring Bayou is suffering severe deficiencies having been constructed at a low elevation when originally installed in the 1880s. Twenty years ago, the sidewalks surrounding Craig Park and Spring Bayou were submerged three to four times per year from "sunny day flooding," but recently the sidewalks are submerged three to four times per month, making the sidewalks more frequently inaccessible than ever. The increase in the frequency of the flooding has accelerated deterioration of the structural steel within the concrete sidewalks; and because of this continuous deterioration and subsequent structural failure, the sidewalks are often barricaded until emergency spot repairs can be made. An independent engineering analysis recommends that the wall and sidewalk should be replaced with a new wall and sidewalk with an elevation of at least two (2) feet higher than the existing sidewalk and seawall to provide resiliency and to mitigate the catastrophic effects of sea level rise. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Recipient: PACE Center for Girls, Pasco and Hernando Counties (FUNDED)

Address of Recipient: 7545 Little Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34654

Amount of Request: $500,000

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: The pandemic exacerbated academic and mental health needs of at-risk girls at Pace Pasco and Hernando, as well as retaining teachers to address their needs. As of March 2022, both Centers reported a drop in girls' academic achievement and a 30% teacher vacancy rate. This project will ensure more than 300 at-risk middle and high school aged girls in Pasco and Hernando counties graduate from high school and enter higher education, certification training, and employment to achieve long-term socio-economic independence. As good stewards of taxpayer funds, Pace Pasco and Hernando annually provide free quality educational and support services to more than 300 girls who are at-risk of dropping out of school, long-term economic dependence, substance abuse, human trafficking, and entering the juvenile justice system. Pace is a lower cost to taxpayers and more effective alternative to these risk factors by addressing the underlying needs of marginalized girls and ensuring long-term economic independence through gender responsive educational and wrap around support services. The pandemic required new ways of delivering academic and social services, professional development for teachers to implement new tools and services, developing an alternative certification program to recruit new teachers and updated technology and curriculum to ensure girls are successful after Pace. When underserved and marginalized girls graduate from high school, enter post-secondary education, and find permanent employment, they are more likely to become productive taxpaying citizens and their children more likely to become economically independent. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Recipient: Moffitt Cancer Center (FUNDED)

Address of Recipient: 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612

Amount of Request: $3,000,000

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: This project will be used to fund the Moffitt Cancer Research and Life Science Facility at Pasco. Federal funds will help to supplement state, local and private sector dollars that will be used to construct a 300,000 square-foot state-of-the-art building for cancer research. Funding for an important health care initiative that will benefit the State of Florida and our nation. Working with Pasco County and the State of Florida, Moffitt is in the process of developing 775 acres of land in Pasco County into a "Life Sciences Innovation District" that will be a regional hub for health care, research, education, and biotech business development. The construction of the Moffitt Cancer Research and Life Science Facility at Pasco is scheduled to begin in 2023. Along with a new outpatient cancer treatment facility, the research building will anchor the first phase in the development of the Life Sciences Innovation District. From there Moffitt will look to partner with global leaders in healthcare, science, and biotechnology to build out the campus with ventures in joint science and discovery; manufacturing and business incubator/accelerators; as well as other initiatives across many sectors. The new Life Sciences Innovation District will also include academic, training, recruitment and employment initiatives with a focus on developing the next generation of nurses, scientists, physicians, technicians. Such efforts are essential to the life sciences industries and will become resources to attract companies and provide an environment that attracts top talent. The new campus will be a place for thought leaders from around the globe to come together to innovate.With new clinical facilities for cancer care and research, the project addresses an urgent demand for access to precision oncology care in Florida. More than 155,000 Florida residents are newly diagnosed with cancer each year. Our state ranks #2 in the U.S. for cancer incidence and mortality. The project will also have a transformative effect on the residential and economic vitality of Florida's 12th Congressional District. In a recent economic analysis, Moffitt estimates that the overall project will create as many as 14,500 new jobs in Pasco County over the next 10 years. More information is available at https://moffitt.org/endeavor/Pasco/index.html.

For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Recipient: Pasco County Sheriff's Office (FUNDED)

Address of Recipient: 8700 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34654

Amount of Request: $2,000,000

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: The Center for the Recovery of Endangered and Missing Persons (CREMP) was approved by the Florida Legislature during the 2022 legislative session. This innovative, cutting-edge center will serve the Pasco County community, as well as regional partners, by providing assistance with the location of endangered and missing persons. CREMP will take a wholesale approach to locating missing persons, including through technological means such as social media research and other tactics and techniques and will be the first center in the Tampa Bay Area focused on locating and recovering endangered and missing persons. In addition, CREMP will serve as an incubator for the development of technological and tactical methods to aid in the recovery of endangered missing persons, staying on the cutting edge.This request will provide for technological upgrades to the Center for Missing and Endangered Persons and will benefit the public by enhancing law enforcement efforts to recover missing and endangered persons. This is a good use of taxpayer funds as recovering missing and endangered persons is a top priority.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Recipient: Lighthouse for the Blind of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties (FUNDED)

Address of Recipient: 9130 Ridge Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34654

Amount of Request: $600,000

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: The World Health Organization provides studies that have shown that vision impairment reduces quality of life due to isolation, anxiety, fear, and depression; poor mental health is a cause of worsening vision impairment; and that seniors who are visually impaired experience a greater number of falls, hip fractures, and a higher rate of mortality compared to their sighted peers. The program is tailored to older adults with disabilities who live in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus, FL Counties to provide a holistic, person-centric approach to care. The program is designed empower clients in these 3 counties to live more independently in their home and communities with a focus on improved mental health. This is done through independent living classes, orientation and mobility training and assistive technology trainings with curriculum focused around clients' physical, cognitive, leisure, social, psychological and emotional well-being. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Recipient: Pasco County  (FUNDED)

Address of Recipient: 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34654

Amount of Request: $3 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: The Moon Lake ADA-compliant bus stop projects is a collaboration with Project Management, GoPasco, and Community Development to enhance identified critical non-ADA bus stop locations to better service the citizens of Pasco County. The proposed project will install approximately 4 miles of accessible sidewalks to service along eighteen (18) bus stops within the GoPasco Bus Route 16 within the Low to Moderate Income (LMI) area of Moon Lake area located within Pasco County. This portion of GoPasco Route 16 runs through the heart of the Moon Lake area along Bethwood Avenue, Catalona Avenue, Lake Drive, and Banbury Avenue and services the majority of the 4,234 citizens living in the area. The project would include installing sidewalks along the previously mentioned roadways, including mid-block crossings walks on Lake Drive. These sidewalks will serve as ADA accessible route access to GoPasco bus stops, create safe routes for children exiting school buses along the route, as well as offer access to financially disadvantaged citizens for shopping and work opportunities. Pasco County seeks to continue the effort to protect our citizens and deter any future fatalities within the region by expanding safe and accessible opportunities for our citizens. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Recipient: Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services   (FUNDED)

Address of Recipient: 1254 58th St, Pinellas Park, FL 33782

Amount of Request: $2 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services (PEMHS) is seeking support to fund a new 20-bed Children's Crisis Stabilization Unit and Community Diversion Center. PEMHS has been providing acute inpatient psychiatric services for children in Pinellas County, 24 hours, 7 days a week since 1981, and is dedicated to serving its most vulnerable citizens. This is a critical endeavor that will have a lasting positive impact on the residents as well as the providers' who are working collaboratively to protect our children. This project will expand the County's service capacity ensuring timely, appropriate and quality care. Unfortunately, the current 15-bed facility does not meet the needs of the community in relation to the number of beds or allow for separation of children from adolescents, which is necessary, as treatment and interventions are very different for each population. The proximity of the existing Children's Crisis Stabilization Unit to the adult unit does not provide for the most effective therapeutic environment. Funding of this facility will allow PEMHS to provide a more therapeutic environment and facilitate enhanced trauma-informed care for children and adolescents in need of acute inpatient psychiatric services. It will allow agencies to collaborate in alleviating the identified needs and barriers of individuals, children and their families by providing coordinated access to continued mental health care, as well as substance use treatment, physical health screening, housing and other services when necessary. Diversion services will ensure that children and adolescents receive care in the least restrictive manner possible. The goal is to provide safety, continuity of care, education for families, and to ensure that community-based services are available for continued treatment. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Recipient: City of Dunedin  (NOT FUNDED)

Address of Recipient: 542 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698

Amount of Request: $2 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: According to St. Petersburg/Clearwater report tourism in Pinellas County has had a significant increase. For Dunedin, this increased demand accounts for approximately 300,000 additional cars on its already at-capacity roads. This project will provide funds to build an additional parking garage in downtown Dunedin. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Recipient: Suncoast YMCA (NOT FUNDED)

Address of Recipient: 8411 Photonics Dr, New Port Richey, FL 34655

Amount of Request: $750,000

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: James P. Gills Family YMCA Healthy Living Program Area Improvements. This project will fund significant renovations and improvements to various healthy living areas at the Y. These improved spaces will allow us to provide quality outdoor programs and services in West Pasco County and create new spaces for families to engage in healthy activities together. The renovations and improvements will improve and expand healthy living opportunities for over 17,000 people - youth, adults, seniors, and families. We currently have wait lists for youth sports programs, before and after school care programs, and senior sports programs; as a result of these improvements, we will reduce those on waitlists and begin to serve more residents in our community. As the leading provider of active recreational programs in Pasco County, particularly those serving lower-income families, as a result of these improvements, we will increase the number of people we serve in our community, provide expanded services to low-income adjacent neighborhoods, and continue to provide quality healthy living programs and services for youth, adults, and families in West Pasco County. For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Recipient: Pinellas County Government   (FUNDED)

Address of Recipient: 315 Court St # 501, Clearwater, FL 33756

Amount of Request: $2 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: Anclote Road is a 2.4-mile collector road serving underdeveloped industrial and commercial areas, a work release center and residential areas in unincorporated Pinellas County and the City of Tarpon Springs. The area has been identified as a Target Employment Center for economic development which will allow increased density for uses such as manufacturing, office and research and development. Objectives for improving this corridor include providing multimodal access to industrial, workforce and residential areas; improving roadway safety, and improving stormwater management thorough stormwater infrastructure upgrades and incorporation of green stormwater infrastructure where practicable. The project is in close proximity to the Pinellas/ Pasco County Line and will service communities from the two counties. This project will be an excellent use of taxpayer funds because it will improve the region in the following major areas:

  1. Drainage Improvements:
  • Correct frequent severe localized flooding with new storm sewer and outfalls to Anclote River
  • Address tide related flooding affects on existing wetlands and surrounding communities
  • Add detention/retention ponds for additional runoff storage in conjunction with possible expanded wetlands
  • Minimize/eliminate roadway intersection ponding and overtopping
  • Upgrade existing outfall culverts for increased volume conveyance
  1. Roadway Improvements:
  • All of Anclote Road needs to be completely replaced and will be widened and reconstructed
  • Widen narrow bridge crossing to add shoulders and bike lanes for safety
  • Study Roundabout intersection improvement at Anclote Rd. and Anclote Blvd. to correct unsafe angle of intersection
  • Improve Alt 19 intersection for safety
  • Street lighting at intersections for increased safety
  • Traffic control devices to help reduce speeds
  1. Community Connectivity:
  • Construct new sidewalks throughout for pedestrian connectivity
  • Construct multi-use path in conjunction with possible bike lanes for bicyclists
  • Proposed Multi-Use paths to add connectivity to existing Elfers Spur Trail and Costal Anclote Trail
  • Ensure all pedestrian facilities are ADA compliant
  1. Economic Development:
  • Improvements will allow for local commercial, industrial and residential development adding tax base and jobs
  • Resulting increased quality of living in the community
  1. Environmental Enhancements:
  • Increase water quality with the application of numerous BMP's, such as bio-swales, vegetative conveyance swales, vegetative filter strips, LID treatments, off-line stormwater systems, and in-line stormwater system.
  • Expansion of existing wetlands
  • Potential for Partial cleanup of areas related to Stauffer Chemical Superfund Site

For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

Recipient: Vincent House of Pasco County (VAAC)  (FUNDED)

Address of Recipient: 111454 Denton Avenue Hudson, FL 34667

Amount of Request: $1.25 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: The project will be used to build ten units of new housing for Vincent House participants. Each unit at approximately 450 square feet will use to house people with mental illness below 20% or below the average median income. These units will be for those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Most of Vincent House participants, called members, receive SSI or SSDI benefits. The maximum monthly SSI benefit in Florida is $841 in 2022. A 560 SF, one bedroom apartment in Hudson rents for $1070 per month. Even a 288 SF studio apartment is $729 monthly. They are completely priced out of the market leaving many members housing insecure. Other possible options include:

  • Section 8 housing vouchers, but they are extremely difficult to find unless a person is homeless and even then, it takes a long time. Regular Section 8 housing has proven to be nearly impossible with members on the wait list for years without success.
  • Assisted Living facilities take a member's government check leaving the member a stipend of $54.00 and often there are 2-3 people sharing one small room.
  • Blighted housing can be extremely scary and dangerous to someone with paranoia and especially for female members.
  • Homelessness is a dire circumstance for someone with a serious mental illness. They are often vulnerable and preyed upon by others who see their weakness.

VAAC plans to build 38 tiny homes in a phased in approach for members on six acres behind Vincent House Pasco along with an eight-bedroom group home that could provide a transition for some members to independent housing. These houses will provide a safe decent place to live close to their support system. These homes will provide community for members and keep them from being homeless. With homelessness a problem in Pasco County, these homes will support the community while assisting the people living in them.

For these reasons, this project is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest.

FY 2022 Community Project Funding Requests (All 10 FUNDED)

In 2021, Members of Congress were permitted to submit Community Project funding requests which met the needs of the communities they serve to the House Appropriations Committee. In the interest of full and complete transparency, Members were required to post information about the projects they submit on their official websites. Congressman Bilirakis received dozens of high-quality proposals from local governments, municipalities, and non-profits. While many of these proposals addressed significant need within the community, the Congressman could only select 10 projects. The selected projects are listed below. As of March of 2022, all ten of these projects were approved and fully funded in the FY 22 Appropriations Package.

Proposed Recipient: City of Dade City

Address of Recipient: 38020 Meridian Ave, Dade City, FL 33525

Amount of Request: $1.75 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: This project involves the design and permitting of the city's wastewater treatment plant relocation and upgrade. The existing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is located within the Historic Mickens-Harper neighborhood. The neighborhood is a historic Black community originally created in 1948 during segregation. In the 1950s, the City constructed a WWTP in the Mickens-Harper neighborhood. Understanding this is an issue of environmental justice, the City Commission made a commitment in 2012 to relocate the WWTP when its capacity needs to be expanded. Over the years, there has been tremendous community involvement and support for the relocation of the WWTP. On February 28, 2012, the City Commission adopted Ordinance 2012-01 stating the Commission's commitment. At the February 9, 2021 City Commission meeting, the Commission reaffirmed their desire to right a wrong and relocate the WWTP. Along with environmental justice, this project will provide significant environmental benefits. The WWTP is adjacent to the Green Swamp, where the Withlacoochee River meets the Hillsborough River Watersheds and will provide significant environmental benefit. The WWTP will reduce nutrients in surface water that contribute to algae blooms and degradation of the ecosystem of the watersheds. Excess nutrients are a major contributor to water quality issues in Florida. The project will provide economic benefits and create 150 direct and indirect jobs through construction. Expanded capacity will allow for planned economic growth in the City allowing for additional indirect job growth. The economic impact, environmental benefits, and social justice equity of the proposed project uniquely qualify it as an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Dade City Signed Member Cert.pdf (208.24 KB)

Proposed Recipient: City of Zephyrhills

Address of Recipient: 5335 8th Street Zephyrhills, FL 33542

Amount of Request: $1.5 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: The City of Zephyrhills is requesting matching funds to assist with wastewater system improvement that will allow the city to balance wastewater flow, provide water quality protection and support water supply needs in the Hillsborough River Basin. The existing wastewater infrastructure is at capacity and cannot accommodate additional flow from the northside of the town to the city's advanced wastewater treatment (AWT) facilities on the southside of the town. The proposed improvements include a force main and associated lift stations that will allow the city to take approximately 300 residents off of either septic systems or aging package plant facilities and sent this wastewater flow and send this wastewater flow to the city's AWT plant. The environmental improvements and public safety enhancements that will accompany this project uniquely qualify it is an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Zephyrhills Signed Member Cert.pdf (183.87 KB)

Proposed Recipient: City of Oldsmar

Address of Recipient: 100 State St W, Oldsmar, FL 34677

Amount of Request: $1.6 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: The State Street Drainage Ditch project will enclose the ditch with a box cover to mitigate the unsafe conditions resulting from the undermining of driveways, streets, and sidewalks on a public street. Geo-netting has failed to improve ditch bank erosion in an essential downtown thoroughfare in an emerging redevelopment area. Systemic water flow is impeded by the ditch failing to discharge water properly during storm events. The ditch passes beneath residential driveways and there are several utility services spanning the ditch and attendant rights of way. At locations along the ditch, the water flows too swiftly, dislodging vegetation and eroding the banks. Driveway culverts are inconsistent in size and constrict flow resulting in erosion around and underneath structures. A concrete culvert, as opposed to the existing earthen ditch will eliminate erosion issues, improve motorist/bicyclist/pedestrian safety, prevent bottlenecking and variations in flow velocities. More effective water flow management and reduced maintenance are tertiary benefits of this project. The environmental and public safety benefits of this project uniquely qualify it as an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Oldsmar Signed Member Cert.pdf (185.32 KB)

Proposed Recipient: Pasco County Board of County Commissioners

Address of Recipient: 37918 Meridian Avenue, Dade City, FL 33525

Amount of Request: $1 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: Rural Northeast Pasco Community Park Site Acquisition- Pasco County's Parks Master Plan targets the following levels of service: 1 community park per 20,000 people, 1 district park per 50,000 people, and 1 wilderness park per 100,000 people. Elsewhere in the county, impact fees pay for buying and developing parks. In rural northeast Pasco County, lands are not being developed and not generating impact fees. Although the area calls for a community park, the county does not have an income source to buy park property there. As such, the county fall short of meeting its Level of Service goals. The County also does not own any land in the rural, northeast county where the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department could add a community park. The proposed federal funding would allow Pasco County to plan, identify, and buy the new community park site, including appraisals, boundary surveys, closing costs, insurance, etc. Due to the geographic inequity that exists, this project is uniquely qualified as an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Pasco Park Member Cert.pdf (209.89 KB)

Proposed Recipient: Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners

Address of Recipient: 315 Court St # 501, Clearwater, FL 33756

Amount of Request: $1.75 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: This project involves the purchase of a countywide Pinellas County consolidated Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System which will allow a singular platform for all emergency response agencies for everything from call taking, closes unite deployment countywide, records management, evidence management, situation awareness and planning. If funded, the project will significantly improve public safety and increase interagency efficiency throughout the county. The public safety and intergovernmental agency efficiencies that will be achieved through this project uniquely qualify it as an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

CAD System Signed Member Cert.pdf (186.11 KB)

Proposed Recipient: Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners

Address of Recipient: 315 Court St # 501, Clearwater, FL 33756

Amount of Request $240,000

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: The Pinellas County Tidal Check Valves project involves purchasing and installing 15-25 tidal check valves to prevent saltwater intrusion into stormwater drains. Sea level rise is currently impacting the performance of coastal stormwater outfalls and is expected to worsen over time. During high tides, saltwater backs up into the stormwater system and results in street flooding, even when there is no rain. Almost 2,000 stormwater outfalls across Pinellas County discharge at or below sea level and that number is anticipated to reach 2300 within 20 years. The check valves will improve public safety and extend the life of stormwater and roadway systems. The improved public safety, environmental and economic impact achieved through this project uniquely qualify it as an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Check Valves Signed Member Cert.pdf (182.92 KB)

Proposed Recipient: Community Health Centers of Pinellas, Inc.

Address of Recipient: 707 Druid Rd, Clearwater, FL 33756

Amount of Request: $2 million

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: The Mental Health Collaborative Project between Premier Community Health Center and Community Health Centers of Pinellas County (both of which are federally-qualified community health centers) will help to address unmet mental health needs in Pasco and Pinellas counties. The demand for mental health services has spiked throughout the pandemic. Both Pasco and Pinellas have seen a dramatic rise in suicide rates over the past decade. The pandemic has exacerbated the crisis. This project would enable these two Federally Qualified Community Health Centers to increase the number of insured, uninsured and underinsured patients in Pasco and Pinellas counties who are able to access quality mental health treatment. The improved public health benefit which will be achieved through this project uniquely qualify it as an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Community Health Centers Signed Member Cert.pdf (210.91 KB)

Proposed Recipient: AmSkills

Address of Recipient: 4606 Darlington Rd., Holiday, Florida, 34690

Amount of Request $950,000

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: The project would fund the renovation of the AmSkills Workforce Training Innovation Center that will become an attraction and serve a low income area of Pasco County, as an Economic Redevelopment training facility for local residents of the Holiday, New Port Richey, Port Richey and surrounding communities, as well as create the beginning of a regional workforce training district. AmSkills Mission is to Transform Lives and Strengthen Communities through Workforce Training and Apprenticeships, focusing on Manufacturing and the Construction industry. AmSkills is an Industry led program, working with more than 30 manufacturing and other employers to provide direct, hand-on training, required by industry, and is an FDOE registered Apprenticeship and Pre-apprenticeship program. The facility will be designed to conduct a variety of programs to attract youth, adults, Veterans, unemployed, and underemployed individuals, from throughout the Tampa Bay region and support the much needed Workforce entry pipeline of skilled workers to help Manufacturing and related industry trades and help residents in these areas enter into and remain in career employment. The economic impact this project will have on the region uniquely qualifies it as an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Amskills Signed Member Cert.pdf (218.31 KB)

Proposed Recipient: U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking

Address of Recipient: 11 DuPont Circle NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20036

Amount of Request: $750,000

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: Human Trafficking is a significant problem throughout the Tampa Bay area. This project will enable the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking to expand prevention, intervention, and long-term support services for victims of human trafficking throughout Tampa Bay. The societal benefit and the individual empowerment of individual human trafficking survivors uniquely qualifies this project as an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funding.

Institute Against HT Signed Member Cert.pdf (210.45 KB)

Proposed Recipient: The Pasco-Pinellas Public Defender's Office

Address of Recipient: 7530 Little Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34654

Amount of Request: $200,000

Project Description and Statement of Public Benefit: The project is titled INTERCEPT UNIT of the Public Defender's Office. It would be funded by through the Department of Justice's Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) Program. The project is titled "INTERCEPT UNIT" based upon the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) developed in the early 2000's. As stated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, "the SIM helps communities identify resources and gaps in services at each intercept and develop local strategic action plans. The SIM mapping process brings together leaders and different agencies and systems to work together to identify strategies to divert people with mental and substance use disorders away from the justice system into treatment." The INTERCEPT UNIT will take on the task of delivering food, personal hygiene items and other necessities to our homeless population, Veterans, and our local children faced with food insecurity. We also provide transportation for those transitioning to inpatient treatment programs and others who do not have the ability to facilitate necessary transportation to behavioral health appointments. To support the project, the UNIT is in need of an employee dedicated to identifying the needs and delivering goods to this population. The Public Defender's Office is often the primary navigator of behavioral health, medical services, and assistance with supporting independence for those transiting from incarceration and overcoming homelessness in Pinellas and Pasco counties. Providing basic individual needs and fostering self-reliance has proven to reduce recidivism and create a safer community. We work with multiple agencies to accomplish these goals but due to the reduction in community behavioral health funding and services, we are asking for your assistance in supporting some of our current initiatives that have demonstrated success in our community. The economic impact of reduced recidivism throughout the community uniquely qualifies this project as an appropriate and good use of taxpayer funds.

Public Defender Signed Member Cert.pdf (192.87 KB)

For more information about the Community Project Funding program, please view this Appropriations Committee document.

Surface Transportation Infrastructure Projects

In addition to the Community Project Funding Requests, each Member of Congress is permitted to submit funding proposals for Surface Transportation Infrastructure Projects (STIP). The list of STIP projects submitted by Congressman Bilirakis for 2021 is provided below.

  • Ridge Road Extension Phase IIB- The physical address of the project is Ridge Road, Land O' Lakes, FL 34638 in Pasco County. The project will extend the existing Ridge Road from Sunlake Blvd. in Land O'Lakes to U.S. Hwy 41 (also commonly referred to as Land O' Lakes Blvd.). This new road construction will help provide much needed Eastbound emergency evacuation routes for Northern Pinellas and West Pasco residents. Additionally, it will help to alleviate significant traffic congestion. Congressman Bilirakis has deemed this project to be a high priority and has requested $15 million dollars to help fund the project. If funded by the Appropriations' Committee, the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners would be the recipient of the funding.

Link to certification of no economic interest

  • The Dunedin Causeway Bridge is in need of reconstruction. The location of the project is: Dunedin Causeway Boulevard, from Royal Stewart Arms Parkway on Honeymoon Island to the intersection of Gary Place/Gary Circle on Ward Island in Dunedin, FL 34698. Pinellas County, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), has conducted a Project Development and Environment PD&E Study on the Dunedin Causeway Bridges. The study extends along Dunedin Causeway Boulevard from Royal Stewart Arms Parkway on Honeymoon Island to the intersection of Gary Place/Gary Circle on Ward Island; the length of the project is about two miles. The existing Main (bascule) Bridge connects Ward Island to Dunedin Causeway. The existing Tide Relief Bridge is a fixed bridge which connects Dunedin Causeway to Honeymoon Island State Park. The Dunedin Causeway Bridges project consists of the replacement of the Main Bridge with a new, two-lane mid-level movable bridge and replacement of the Tide Relief Bridge with a new, two-lane low-level fixed bridge. There are no improvements planned for the Dunedin Causeway beaches or recreation areas. Minor roadway improvements will be needed to transition the existing roadway to the roadway on the replacement bridges. The existing Dunedin Causeway bridges provides the only access that connects the City of Dunedin to Honeymoon Island State Park. Both bridges were constructed in 1963 and are considered "functionally obsolete" because of their narrow width. According to a 2015 FDOT Bridge Inspection Report, the main bascule bridge contains fractured critical components and is considered scour critical. It has a sufficiency rating of 48.6 out of 100. There are no shoulders on the bridges and sidewalks on the north side are only three (3) and one-half feet wide. The multi-use path on the south side of the bridge is only six (6) feet wide. Both the main and tide relief bridges do not meet current engineering standards for resisting damage from high waves during significant storms and vessel impact. Ongoing maintenance and repair of the main (bascule) bridge machinery also affects reliability and results in traffic delays. Major rehabilitation or replacement of both bridges is needed to keep the bridges open and the main (bascule) bridge operating efficiently. Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, Pinellas County is home to nearly one million residents, with an additional 15.5 million visitors each year, including seasonal residents and tourists. The County values the significance the City of Dunedin and Honeymoon Island State Park brings to the community, both economically and as a favorite destination for citizens and visitors to enjoy natural Florida. Honeymoon Island State Park is enriched with serene beaches, bountiful wildlife and natural vegetation and is also the ferry terminal for access to another unspoiled state park, Caladesi Island. Honeymoon Island has a direct annual economic impact of $150 million to the county. The Dunedin Causeway located along the existing bridges is a popular area for citizens and visitors to enjoy recreational activities such as walking, jogging, and biking on the designated trail and swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing in the Intracoastal Waterway. The new bridge design will better accommodate these outdoor activities residents and visitors partake in when visiting the Causeway, with wider and safer bicycle lanes, sidewalk, and trail. The Dunedin Causeway Bridges project directly aligns with Pinellas County's Strategic Plan goal to Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality by investing in infrastructure to meet current and future needs, and in doing so, providing safe and efficient transportation systems to support the efficient flow of motorists, commerce and regional connectivity. The Congressman has deemed this project to be a significant community priority and he has requested $5 million in federal funding this year. If funded, the recipient would be the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners.
Dunedin Causeway Member Cert.pdf (447.14 KB)
Washington DC Office
2306 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-5755
Brooksville District Office
15 N Main Street, Suite B
Brooksville, FL  34601
Phone: (352) 691-1231
New Port Richey District Office
8731 Citizens Drive
Suite 135
New Port Richey, FL  34654
Phone: (727) 232-2921
Inverness District Office
212 W Main Street, Suite 208A
Inverness, FL  34450
Phone: (352) 654-1004