Agenda 03/25/2025 Item #16A 4 (Authorize a BA, reallocating funding within the Conservation Collier Caracara Prairie Fund)3/25/2025
Item # 16.A.4
ID# 2025-685
Executive Summary
Recommendation for the Board of County Commissioners to authorize a Budget Amendment in the amount of $150,000,
reallocating funding within the Conservation Collier Caracara Prairie Fund (0674).
OBJECTIVE: To reallocate funds within the Conservation Collier Caracara Prairie Fund (0674) to cover operational
costs associated with maintaining the Caracara Prairie Preserve Panther Mitigation Bank.
CONSIDERATIONS: The Conservation Collier Program (Program) is responsible for the maintenance of the
conservation lands within the Caracara Prairie Preserve Panther Mitigation Bank, in accordance with the specifications
set forth by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the Agreement for Panther mitigation at the Collier
County Resource Recovery Park. The requirements of the agreement include maintenance and restoration activities,
including removal of exotic species; wildlife and vegetation monitoring; and the application of prescribed fire.
Maintenance of these lands provides opportunities for at-cost restoration as mitigation for County projects, resulting in
savings to the taxpayers. Failure to complete these activities will result in breach of the USFWS Agreement and the
Conservation Easement to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
In FY24 Program staff solicited six exotics removal vendors per the terms of Collier County Contract 23-8135 Exotic
and Nuisance Vegetation Removal for annual maintenance of the site. Quotes received exceeded the available expenses
budgeted for FY24 to complete the required exotic vegetation maintenance. Additionally, due to the tropical storms and
hurricanes, as well as subsequent clean up of other preserves, the work was not able to be completed in FY24.
Funding is available within the Mitigation Bank Reserves as a result of over budget performance of lease revenues and
forecast over performance in interest revenue and use of these funds would maintain the Bank Reserves above the
required threshold.
Appropriated funding will be utilized to complete required exotics maintenance treatments and Mitigation Bank
vegetation monitoring.
This item is consistent with the Collier County strategic plan objectives to preserve and enhance the character of our
community and to protect our natural resources.
FISCAL IMPACT: A budget amendment is being requested to reallocate $150,000 from the Mitigation Bank Reserves
(919010) into the Caracara Prairie Preserve Operating Fund Center (178988) within the Caracara Prairie Fund (0674).
The proposed amendment would reduce the reserves to $1,709,900 which is above the required minimum principal
amount of $1,582,800 in the Trust Agreement with USFWS.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated with this Executive
Summary.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved as to form and legality and requires majority vote for approval. -
SAA
RECOMMENDATIONS: To authorize a Budget Amendment in the amount of $150,000 to reallocate funding within
the Conservation Collier Caracara Prairie Preserve Fund (00674).
PREPARED BY: Summer Araque, Environmental Supervisor, Conservation Collier, Development Review Division
ATTACHMENTS:
1. FY25 Budget Amendment Caracara Exotics
2. Caracara Preserve Easement
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ID# 2025-685
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