A discussion about funding lighting for the US‑331 bridge prompted commissioners to direct staff to gather updated information and potential partners after county staff reported the state had funded preliminary design but not construction. County staff (Melissa) said the current estimate for local funding is about $6,050,000, up from an earlier estimate around $2.9 million.

One commissioner described the bridge as the only state‑highway bridge in the region without lighting and said crashes and fatalities have occurred there. The board agreed the next step is to collect current FDOT cost estimates, explore possible cost savings and seek partners (including law enforcement and other agencies) before making a decision about using TDT funds.

"The current estimate has the required county local funding at $6,000,000 $6,050,000," county staff said when discussing the funding gap. The board directed the beach operations deputy — who has FDOT experience — and staff to provide an informational presentation and updated numbers so the BCC and TDC can decide whether TDT funding is appropriate and which partners could contribute.

No formal motion to allocate funds was made; the board took the item as direction to staff and will review follow‑up information when it is provided.