Public hearing for CDBG funding application on April 30, 2026.

CDBG Second Public Hearing Notice
Okeechobee County, Florida Second Public Hearing Notice
Okeechobee County plans to apply to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) for a FY 2025 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $446,250 in the Neighborhood Revitalization category for the Douglas Brown Community Center Restroom Facility and Basketball Court Improvements. The activities, dollar amounts and estimated percentage benefit to low- and moderate-income persons are as follows:
Activity Name   CDBG Funding    LMI Benefit
Architectural    $35,000         57.82%
Structural       $411,250        57.82%
Okeechobee County is requesting $446,250 in CDBG Small Cities funding to support the installation of a waterless restroom facility and improvements to two existing basketball courts. The project includes pre-construction coordination, site preparation, and construction activities such as excavation, foundations, and installation of a waterless vault system. The restroom building will be constructed with all required structural, mechanical, and accessibility components. Basketball court improvements will include resurfacing, crack repair, application of a fiberglass membrane and acrylic coating, restriping, and replacement of existing goals and equipment. The project also includes final grading, site restoration, inspections, as-built documentation, and all necessary permitting and regulatory approvals to ensure compliance and successful completion.
Okeechobee County does not expect that anyone will be displaced as a result of CDBG-funded activities. If any persons are displaced as a result of the planned activities, Okeechobee County will assist them as described in the Countys anti-displacement and relocation policy, which is available for review at Okeechobee County BOCC.
A public hearing to provide citizens an opportunity to comment on the application will be held at Okeechobee County Historic Courthouse, 304 NW 2nd Street, Conference Room 201, on 4/30/2026, at 6:00 p.m. A draft copy of the application will also be available for review during normal business hours in the Budget/Grants Office at the Okeechobee County Historic Courthouse by noon on 4/24/2026. Persons wanting to submit written comments on the application should send them to contact Michele Watson, Grants Specialist at (863) 763-6441 x2109 or by e-mail at mwatson@okeechobeecountyfl.gov or by mail to 304 NW 2nd Street, Okeechobee, Florida 34972 no later than May 1, 2026.
A copy of the final application will be available for review in the Budget/Grants Office at the Okeechobee County Historic Courthouse no later than May 1, 2026. The application will be submitted to DEO on or before May 5, 2026. To obtain additional information concerning the application and the public hearing, contact Denise Whitehead, Assistant County Administrator Community Services at (863) 763-6441 x2106 or by e-mail at dwhitehead@okeechobeecountyfl.gov.
The public hearing is being conducted in a handicapped accessible location. Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in the hearing is asked to advise the County at least five days before the hearing by contacting Michele Watson, Grants Specialist at (863) 763-6441 x2109 or by e-mail at mwatson@okeechobeecountyfl.gov. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Court Administration at (772) 807-4370 or to use TDD 800.222.3448 (voice) or 888.447.5620 (TTY).
Any non-English speaking person wishing to attend the public hearing should contact Human Resources at (863) 763-6441 x4 or by e-mail at mwatson@okeechobeecountyfl.gov at least five days prior to the hearing and an interpreter will be provided.
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