Despite flooding, power outages and downed trees, Wildwood survived Hurricane Irma with minor structural damage, according to City Manager Jason McHugh.
“Our infrastructure held up well,” he told city commissioners Monday night. “I’m unaware of any power outages remaining in Wildwood.”
Flooding affected mobile home parks and some were evacuated.
The worst flooding was in the Oak Grove area south of State Road 44, McHugh said, adding that city crews have been working with homeowners to pump out the water. A $700,000 Community Development Block Grant, accepted by commissioners at the meeting, will provide funds to help improve conditions.
McHugh said city crews have removed 1,400 cubic yards of debris and he said residents should continue to put debris at the front of their property so it can be picked up.
Mayor Ed Wolf praised city employees, including many who worked overtime to help with the storm.
Wolf said he lost power for four days, but praised electric company employees who came to the city from as far away as Kentucky to restore power.
Commissioners asked McHugh to develop an equitable plan to reimburse the employees for their efforts. He said the extra compensation would be eligible for reimbursement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency if the city had an established policy.
Commissioners also gave tentative approval to next year’s city budget. With expenditures of $38 million, the proposed budget will collect about $3 million in property taxes at the rolled-back rate of $4.02 per $1,000 assessed valuation. The rolled-back rate is the amount needed to collect the same revenue as the previous year.
Final budget approval is expected next week.