Florida
Escambia County’s Unfunded Budget Requests: Key Projects Left Out
The proposed Florida budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year includes millions of dollars of funded, and partially funded, projects for Escambia County. Those projects include nearly $1.2 million for Century water and sewer projects, funds for an Escambia River Electric…
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As Florida finalizes its budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, Escambia County has seen a mix of funding for various projects, including nearly $1.2 million allocated for water and sewer improvements in Century and additional resources for public safety. However, several significant requests have not made the cut.
Unfunded Projects Impacting Local Communities
Among the notable projects that were excluded from the proposed budget awaiting Governor Ron DeSantis’s approval are:
- Escambia County Radio System Upgrade – $38 million
Escambia County had sought $38 million to revamp its aging P25 UHF radio system, transitioning to a modern 800 MHz trunked platform. This upgrade was intended to enhance communication capabilities for fire, EMS, law enforcement, transit, and public works while improving coordination with regional partners during emergencies. “The 2012 system nears end-of-life in 2030, and failure may risk public safety,” the county’s request emphasized. - Century Wastewater Treatment Plant Motor Control – $1.061 million
The Town of Century requested $1.061 million for a replacement of its wastewater treatment plant’s motor control center. The current system has been plagued by frequent failures and is outdated, complicating the search for replacement parts. This upgrade is mandated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
These unfunded projects highlight ongoing challenges in maintaining and upgrading essential services in Escambia County.
Based on reporting originally published by NorthEscambia.com. Read the original story.
