BRADENTON – At Tuesday's BOCC work session, Charlie Hunsicker, Director of Parks and Natural Resources, presented Manatee County Commissioners with an overview of the department's Boat Ramp Project Report.
Hunsicker said the county maintains eight boat ramps within its limits. He mentioned ground maintenance, bathrooms, parking lots, pilings, decks, stormwater and bumpers being the county's responsibility.
Hunsicker then reported the current conditions and scheduled improvements of each of the boat ramps in the project.
He started with the financial condition of the department's investment in the project, stating revenue remains low and the responsibilities high.
Hunsicker reminded the commission that there are 1,000 navigation markers, abandoned vessels, and salary for four Marine Officers that also share the same budget, adding, "É boat registration is down while utilization climbs," challenging revenue.
He told commissioners some of the projects that were within the five year program have been moved toward a ten year completion date.
The Director said, "In the completed list, is the Braden River ramp on S.R. 64, decks and ramps are redone but still in need of parking lot resurfacing."
Hunsicker said the Highland Shores ramp has been completed except for the parking lot, the Jiggs Landing mirrors the same progress, and that the Warner's Bayou ramp has been completed.
Unfinished in the plan is the Fort Hamer ramp, and Hunsicker says it has issues but the work is getting close. The Coquina North work has slowed down and Coquina South is anticipating the parking lot design from the engineer. Hunsicker said the Kingfish ramp plans on doubling its ramp size and more parking spaces.
Hunsicker suggested to move forward the commission should determine if they wish to continue to move at a ''pay as you go" speed or borrow funds to keep on schedule. He cited the Coquina South ramp's completion date being moved from the five to the 10 year completion list.
One of the other factors escalating the cost is dredging. "Sixty percent of the cost to a project can be dredging," said Hunsicker.
Commissioners said they will be looking at where and how WCIND (West Coast Inland Navigation District) could increase some of their funding to supplement cost and also how the TDC (Tourist Development Council) could do the same.
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