SEBASTIAN — The Sebastian City Council has decided it will seek an environmental and grant specialist to handle issues pertaining to the Indian River Lagoon and stormwater retention, as well as seek out and apply for grants.
Interim Sebastian City Manager Joe Griffin told the Council Wednesday evening in no uncertain terms that the City was missing out on potential grant funds and that “we have gotten to critical mass in our management staff.”
Griffin said that recent issues and events concerning the lagoon, stormwater retention and other such environmentally critical issues have led him to the certainty that “the time has come to add back onto the Community Development (staff)” an individual knowledgeable in city environmental issues as well as grant writing.
“There is no doubt in my mind that we have not gone after as many grants” as the City might have, and that “we have had to outsource” and rely on consultants.
Adding this position to City staff “will make us look better and act more efficiently,” Griffin said.
“I’m thrilled,” said Councilwoman Andrea Coy, who has long pushed for bringing back many of the positions dropped during the long economic downswing. “This is phenomenal. I think we’re going to save money, to save in grants alone – and in the cost of testing our stormwater.”
She noted that recent testing of four stormwater samples cost $1,200.
City Finance Director Ken Kilgore told the Council the City’s current financial situation would allow the addition of such a full time position.
“I’m in favor of adding that position,” Mayor Bob McPartlan said. “Do the math. It pays for itself.”
