TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Samuel A. May, Interim City Manager
DATE: March 15, 2017
Title
RESOLUTION - URGING THE LEGISLATURE TO VOTE AGAINST HB 13, AND SB 1770 THAT WOULD AMEND PART III, CHAPTER 163, FLORIDA STATUTES, AS SUCH ACTS WOULD REDUCE THE ABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES IN ACCOMPLISHING THEIR REDEVELOPMENT TASKS.
BACKGROUND:
Two bills have been filed in the legislature proposing changes to the statutes governing CRAs: House Bill 13 and Senate Bill 1770. Some of the proposed changes will have a minimal impact on the Margate CRA. Other provisions would be quite restrictive, and could limit the CRA’s ability to implement projects in its adopted plan, or create new projects.
As currently written the bills would:
1. Terminate all CRAs in the state by 2037;
2. Disallow the creation of any new CRAs after July 1, 2017;
3. Not allow existing CRAs to create new projects or incur new debt after October 1, 2017;
4. Disallow bond refinancing after 2037;
5. Limit all CRA expenditures to a restrictive list (eliminating the phrase “including but not limited to”), which could jeopardize some of the programs and projects already contained within the CRA plan
6. Limit all CRA expenditures to those budgeted and submitted to the county commission (whether charter or not);
7. All budget amendments must be submitted to the county commission (charter or not);
The bills as written would hamper existing community redevelopment agencies in their efforts to implement their redevelopment plans, and increase challenges to CRAs, their creation, and operations. The attached resolution urges the legislative members to vote against these bills.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve
FISCAL IMPACT: Undetermined
CONTACT PERSON: Diane Colonna, CRA Executive Director