ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Manatee County Commission approved the allocation of $6.18 million in tourist development tax revenues to help advance a major beach renourishment and recovery project on Anna Maria Island.
The renourishment project will help offset the significant storm-related erosion caused by Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton in 2024.
The tourist tax revenues are generated by the 6% county tax levied on resort, hotel-motel and vacation rental stays of six months or less.
According to the county press release issued June 17, the funding approved on June 16 allows Manatee County to initiate construction activities in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state of Florida while awaiting reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state.
According to the press release, the board’s action helps position the county to take advantage of a coordinated construction effort that is expected to generate substantial savings for local, state and federal partners.
The renourishment project will restore critically eroded shorelines within the federally authorized Central Beach Segment, extending from approximately 79th Street North in Holmes Beach to Fifth Street South in Bradenton Beach, as well as the shoreline areas at Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.
The beach renourishment project is currently scheduled to begin in November and be completed in March or April 2027.
“By advancing these funds now, Manatee County can coordinate beach recovery efforts with our state and federal partners – reducing overall construction costs while accelerating restoration of some of our community’s most valuable coastal assets,” Manatee County Director of Natural Resources Charlie Hunsicker said in the press release.
The press release notes the coordinated project combines multiple restoration efforts into a single construction mobilization, avoiding the need for separate contractor deployments and generating significant cost efficiencies. County officials estimate this collaborative approach will save approximately $4 million in mobilization costs while maximizing available state and federal funding opportunities.
“The beach renourishment effort is part of Manatee County’s ongoing commitment to protecting coastal infrastructure, supporting tourism, enhancing storm resilience and preserving the beaches that serve as both recreational destinations and natural barriers during coastal storm events,” the press release says.
When contacted later by email, Hunsicker said, “The last renourishment covering the city of Holmes Beach, beginning at 79th Street North and extending south to Fifth Street South in Bradenton Beach, was completed in 2020. The first renourishment of this area was completed between November 1992 and April 1993. Approximately 6 million cubic yards of sand have been added to the beach system as a result of six successive renourishment episodes. Approximately 1 million cubic yards of sand is scheduled to be added to this total when the November 2026 to April 2027 project is completed.”
