Century Florida
Century Florida Highway 29 Utility Relocation: Council Approves $522,000 State Repayment Plan
The Century FL Town Council approved a 13-year, zero-interest promissory note with FDOT to resolve more than $522,000 in municipal debt from utility relocations along Highway 29 in North Escambia County, establishing a structured repayment plan.
Last updated:
Taxpayers in North Escambia County face a clear schedule for a substantial infrastructure debt. On Tuesday, the Century FL Town Council approved a revised promissory note. This agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation resolves long-standing expenses from the Highway 29 utility relocation.
Council members approved the measure unanimously in a 3-0 vote. The evening meeting lasted roughly seven to eight minutes. Furthermore, the vote authorized Mayor Benjamin Boutwell to sign the contract. Meanwhile, council members Dynette Lewis and Shelisa Abraham were absent from the session.
What Does the Town of Century FDOT Promissory Note Require?
The Town of Century FDOT promissory note requires the municipality to clear a remaining balance of $522,555.71 via 13 annual payments. Payments are scheduled to begin on September 1, 2028, featuring 12 consecutive annual installments of $40,197.00 followed by a final concluding payment of $40,191.71.
Town Manager Dave Murzin presented the revised terms to the council. Murzin noted that Century previously paid just over $134,000 across two installments. However, town leaders hoped to secure state cost reductions through a gubernatorial designation. That designation classified Century as a Rural Area of Opportunity. Yet Murzin explained that those anticipated savings never materialized.
Therefore, Century remains responsible for the full balance. Under the approved contract, the debt structure provides specific protections for local taxpayers:
- Zero percent interest charges over the life of the promissory note.
- No early repayment penalties if the town pays the balance ahead of schedule.
- Complete cancellation and replacement of the prior state repayment agreement.
Why it matters here
Century utility customers and Escambia County residents shoulder a heavy burden for municipal infrastructure. Century remains a small rural community with limited revenue sources. For years, local leaders have wrestled with utility shortfalls and aging underground networks.
Highway 29 serves as a vital corridor connecting Pensacola, Cantonment, and Century to southern Alabama. Major road improvements along this route protect drivers and support regional commerce. Yet state road projects often force small towns to move buried utility lines at local expense.
Because of this requirement, Century taxpayers now shoulder a half-million-dollar obligation. Consequently, a predictable repayment schedule prevents sudden municipal budget crises. Furthermore, zero interest shields local utility ratepayers from compounding debt costs.
How Did the Highway 29 Utility Project Escambia County Costs Double?
Highway 29 utility project expenses escalated after crews hit unexpected underground obstacles during excavation, pushing initial estimates significantly higher to the final $522,555.71 balance as unmapped infrastructure and older water mains were uncovered.
The overall state project designed by FDOT along Highway 29 stretched from Henry Street to Cottage Street and up to the Alabama state line, incorporating resurfacing, traffic signal upgrades, drainage improvements, and ADA-compliant sidewalk construction.
Florida law requires municipalities to pay for moving local utilities inside state rights-of-way. Century owns water, sewer, and natural gas lines along this corridor. Therefore, the town had to relocate each line before contractors finished paving.
These unexpected field discoveries quickly strained municipal funds. As a result, Century officials petitioned the state for extended installment terms. This move helped the town avoid sudden financial hardship.
When Will Century Florida Utility Debt Repayment Begin?
Century Florida utility debt repayment will officially begin on September 1, 2028, following a multi-year grace period. This delayed start provides Century critical breathing room to budget and manage municipal funds. After payments begin, the town will issue thirteen consecutive yearly installments to eliminate the balance.
The agreement divides the remaining principal across the following annual payments:
- Twelve consecutive annual installments of $40,197.00.
- One final installment of $40,191.71 to fully satisfy the debt.
By securing extended terms, town leaders hope to stabilize municipal utility operations. Still, local officials must maintain strict fiscal discipline for the future. They must prepare to satisfy each installment when payments resume in 2028.
Sources
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Related: Okaloosa Correctional Inmate Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison on Child Exploitation Charges
See a typo? Report it here.
