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The City of Marco Island and Collier County government are entering a partnership to expand docking facilities at Caxambas Park.

When built, a new dock and boat lift at the park's marina will give the city's fire-rescue and police departments faster access to surrounding waters.

Earlier this summer, Collier County commissioners approved a user-agreement that extends a state submerged land lease to Marco Island and gives the city 24-hour access to the park, located at the island's south end.

In exchange for use of the park, the city will pay for the new 20,000-pound boatlift and 35-foot dock, where it plans to moor a public safety vessel. In addition, the county is planning to build a floating dock to give private boaters a place to refuel and temporarily moor their vessels.

"We entered the agreement due to our desire for a new docking facility for the fire-rescue and police boat," city planner Bryan Milk said. "The county needs a mooring facility at the dockmaster's building, so we thought we'd bring them both forward simultaneously. We've joined efforts."

The Marco Island Fire-Rescue Department uses a 22-foot Pathfinder for training and emergency response, Battalion Chief Jeff Kutzke said.

The police department uses it for emergencies and patrols.

One of two city-owned public safety vessels, the boat is currently docked at a condominium complex near the park. The city's other boat, a 26-foot Donzi, is kept near the north end of the island.

"We decided to look into moving the boat to Caxambas about 12 or 14 months ago and everything is falling into place," Kutzke said. "That location will allow us to put the boat in a more commercial area and it will be easier for our guys to get to. We'll also gain easier access to (Caxambas) Pass."

Milk estimates the dock and lift will cost Marco Island somewhere between $10,000 and $20,000 to build.

The new docks are just part of ongoing and planned improvements at Caxambas Park. Work on new fuel tanks was completed in May and a public fishing pier is also in the county's plans.

In July, the Marco Island Planning Board approved two dock extensions at Caxambas. The county has to amend its submerged land lease agreement with the state, as well as secure pending state and federal permits, before construction of the new docks can start.

"That could take six to 12 months, I'm guessing," Milk said. "But it could be also be less than that."

Contact correspondent Pete Bishop at lpbishop@comcast.net