The Treasure Island city commission is expected to vote on a final approval of a proposed resolution on Tuesday to borrow $1.8 million to pay for undergrounding utilities along Gulf Boulevard.

"I think it's an excellent idea," said resident Bonnie McGee. "I think the wires that are hanging around here are unsightly."

Mayor Bob Minning said the total price for the undergrounding project is $2.8 million. The city already has $1 million and will take out a loan from Hancock Bank for the rest. Minning said all the money will eventually be reimbursed from the county's Penny for Pinellas funding.

"We have to spend the money first and then we go back to the county to get reimbursed," he said. "It's doled out over 7 years. That's the need or the reason for the loan."

The work will be done in conjunction with an F-DOT road resurfacing project which is scheduled to begin in January and should be complete in May. All the utilities along Gulf Boulevard from 118th Avenue north to John's Pass will be moved underground.

"F-DOT gave us the option. They said if you guys can coordinate with our resurfacing of the north end of Treasure Island have at it," Minning said. "We gladly accepted that offer."

The mayor said the main reason city leaders want the utilities underground is for aesthetic reasons.

"It's just a much cleaner look. A much more modern, up to date look along Gulf Boulevard," he said. "Where you don't have wooden telephone poles of yesteryear."

Madeira Beach city leaders are also considering borrowing $2 million to bury utility lines. Indian Shores was the first beach city to have all their Gulf Boulevard utilities moved underground back in 2007.