All meetings

City Council · Thursday, February 26, 2026 · 6:30 PM

Regular Council Meeting

Watch videoAgenda (PDF)Minutes (PDF)

Summary

The Freeport City Council met on February 26, 2026, and approved several infrastructure and maintenance projects. The council authorized a $84,000 contract with Dewberry Engineers for redesign services on the SR-20 sewer extension, which will now route through city-owned property instead of requiring , saving an estimated $950,000 to $1 million in construction costs. They approved a $62,962.57 upgrade to the electrical line on Black Creek Lodge Road by CHELCO, funded by a DEP grant, and granted the associated easement. A $2,500 increase was approved for site clearing work on Marquis Way East to prepare for soil testing. The council also approved a $8,450 bid from Odis Brown for an air conditioning unit replacement at the Water Department. Additionally, the council heard updates on the Memorial Park lighting project, the Carr Property road corridor proposal, and a parks pool repair completion.

Why it matters

These decisions will improve city infrastructure and public facilities, with the SR-20 sewer redesign providing substantial cost savings while supporting future development. The city is strategically planning transportation corridors to ease traffic congestion and support hurricane evacuation, which benefits long-term community resilience.

What happened

Budget & taxes2 items

  • for Marquis Way East Site Clearing

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved for the $2,500 site clearing cost increase.

    • $2,500 · Budget amendment for site clearing

  • for Water Department A/C Unit

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved to fund the A/C unit replacement, with funds transferred from operating costs line item.

    • $8,450.00 · Budget amendment for A/C unit

Roads & infrastructure3 items

  • SR-20 Sewer Extension Redesign Services

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved Dewberry Engineers contract to redesign the SR-20 sewer extension. The pump station will now be located on city-owned property instead of requiring an on the Carr property, eliminating 1,500 feet of directional bores and saving an estimated $950,000 to $1 million in construction costs.

    • $84,000 · Dewberry contract for redesign services

    Where: SR-20; Joe Campbell Road; Carr property

  • Marquis Way East Site Clearing

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved a $2,500 increase to Allday Howell's contract for site clearing work to prepare for Geotech soil testing. The new total is $197,500.

    • $2,500 · Site clearing cost increase

    Where: Marquis Way East

  • Carr Property Road Corridor

    Councilman Farris requested a proactive approach to assist the Carr property developer with their planned North-South corridor road. Planning Director Hughes-Neel outlined the two-year ongoing planning for a road starting on 331 North and connecting to Highway 20 and 3280, with three traffic signals anticipated at buildout. The city is exploring grant opportunities and would benefit from acquiring to enable funding. The developer is willing to meet and discuss options.

    Where: Carr property; 331 North; Highway 20; 3280

Utilities2 items

  • CHELCO Electric Line Upgrade on Black Creek Lodge Road

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved the cost of CHELCO's electrical line upgrade on Black Creek Lodge Road, funded by a DEP grant, and granted the required for the line installation.

    • $62,962.57 · CHELCO electrical line upgrade cost

    Where: Black Creek Lodge Road

  • Water Department A/C Unit Replacement

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved the lowest bid from Odis Brown Heating and Air for replacement of the failed air conditioning unit at the Water Department. The contractor will install the UV light in-house.

    • $8,450.00 · Odis Brown A/C unit replacement bid

Parks2 items

  • Memorial Park Lighting Project

    Councilwoman Hurst provided an update on the first phase of the multi-phase lighting project at Veteran's Memorial Park, conducted by Impact Landscapes. The project is nearly complete and will provide illumination and accent the statues and landscaping. A grand reveal event for the community is being proposed.

    Where: Veteran's Memorial Park

  • Community Pool Repair Completion

    Parks Director Bartlett reported that repairs to the community pool are complete and the facility is ready for spring operations.

Other1 item

  • Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved bills, February 10 minutes, capacity fees, and January revenue and expenditure reports on the .

Coming up

  • Grand reveal event for Memorial Park lighting project
  • Carr property road corridor discussion to be brought back to council with proposed grant options
  • The Waters ribbon cutting event · February 27, 2026

Summaries are AI-generated; each meeting links its original documents · Independent, not an official city site · Source · Updated Sep 28, 2026 · Privacy · Terms