[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6164908,"mediaKeyId","5426610-8a6db78e708bd3acc88d9fbf0aee403d","parentId",5426610,"title","Resident urges board to address South Apopka's unincorporated status, reallocate policing funds and oppose ICE contracts","audioSeconds",199,"startMs",242000,"endMs",441000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426610-8a6db78e708bd3acc88d9fbf0aee403d&start=242&end=441","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426610-8a6db78e708bd3acc88d9fbf0aee403d/thumbnail_242000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164908/Apopka/Orange-County/Florida/Resident-urges-board-to-address-South-Apopkas-unincorporated-status-reallocate-policing-funds-and-oppose-ICE-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164908-e58991c67a2f0e6bcef3e064eab18017/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571156&Signature=LplScJWyQXHdIedZKd33TcTLG8isgzRLZ-cJWKvW8ZVvJ739spyGJV4FRvp8H1FcjAc-QZ1LBx-oGAOm~od8E2CwDFRga57PAWELWWYArf8DfLOwkU~R7Kw-n8G8dgbSJrTF-Y~8Yzr7kAf4pYgwDxFmYJFqem3DYsBPXWtUV7wSpfAMTREDDuELFjHP2Psl36C7qSjtiPgjq4kNMf2G4WGiwi81O0Lb7jSotyA4TMOEZ6NivaS9hOFJUY0V0UMyPegGfGujYA9sJKeaJ04lsgUErsOSdCa2KwWXS4BeUC5IAZF7AECBUh4NBuwsPT5J8dwlBLtUYarNTrMH-eEu2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Apopka, FL","date","2025-07-18T20:07:57.273Z","article","A resident who identified herself at the May 21 meeting urged the CRA board to take up several community concerns about South Apopka, which she said is an unincorporated area with a segregation-era history. She asked the board to give South Apopka residents a vote on the area’s governance status and urged a reallocation of some taxpayer funds away from police budgets toward social services such as social workers and housing supports.

The resident criticized certain city expenditures for police items — including uniforms and scholarships for officers — and suggested those funds be redirected to college reimbursement programs and unhoused-population services. She said, \"If we could swap those numbers and invest in social workers, that would be super dope. It would really help our unhoused population.\"

She also urged the CRA board to publicly support Orange County if the county pursues an end to an Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She cited national reporting that related deaths in custody had occurred since November and asked local leaders to show courage in resisting federal involvement.

The board acknowledged the public-comments period and did not take formal action on those requests during the meeting. Board members deferred any policy response to later meetings or to other bodies with the authority to change county or city agreements.

Separately, Sylvester Hall, a public commenter, suggested broad outreach methods — such as including program information in the city water bill newsletter — to make residents aware of CRA programs and resources.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting July 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment, a South Apopka resident urged the CRA board to let residents decide the area's county or city status, recommended reducing police-related spending in favor of investments in social services, and asked the board to support Orange County efforts to end certain ICE agreements.","taxTitle","Apopka, Orange County, Florida","taxId",4597,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6164911,"CRA board reviews preliminary FY2026 budget; final adoption scheduled for Aug. 20",334,1070000,1404000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426610-8a6db78e708bd3acc88d9fbf0aee403d&start=1070&end=1404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426610-8a6db78e708bd3acc88d9fbf0aee403d/thumbnail_1070000.jpg","/articles/6164911/Apopka/Orange-County/Florida/CRA-board-reviews-preliminary-FY2026-budget-final-adoption-scheduled-for-Aug-20","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164911-6ade2209dfc236b6d4bd9ddbcb5b45a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571156&Signature=HRwmyf7LL758hlTiba1jMFlcFZtvx-6N26qUHIStQBzX5BhdVQTYBos6rs3bN-LzouAe0LSHe1RHB3HzZzffYBIg4JKYVbIOiY0OJCQJchbFGGLq4rOpO~4ropLmwUFy2yuhaoxotgczh2mIKEfvUAyJSfJRUPd13Bz0CYWO0GvCmNgqFqF-5KGjTivfBLMUV9bHwk7RUZMOKhb~sJiMmo2w112u8DgIRmFn6vFL5bn3WUDfToCQBCRr~L7Uu7YOdSGaXicrQ6tDZ~~U4ssJWfZojcIyYRqpksJAC~Xgy0sAnX8-kVnn~7jCxWhhyIPZuqhujSaue0C0bJTskbHEWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a preliminary FY2026 Community Redevelopment Agency budget on May 21 and asked the board for input in advance of a required Aug. 20 budget-adoption meeting. The board did not vote on a final FY2026 budget; staff described the packet as an informational preliminary draft.

Bobby Howell, interim CRA executive director, explained that one option would be to carry forward reallocated funds from FY2025 into the FY2026 budget and asked whether the board preferred that approach. Board members noted the RFAP (redevelopment funding assistance program) allocation had been discussed previously at $600,000 and that, provided those funds remain unspent at year-end, they could carry forward into FY2026.

Board members emphasized the value of the newly hired economic development director reviewing the proposed budget and providing recommendations. The board asked staff to ensure the economic development director receives budget documents promptly so she can provide input before the Aug. 20 meeting; several members said the director’s input should inform any structural changes before adoption. Staff noted the city’s tentative budget timeline requires final CRA budget adjustments to be included by Sept. 3.

Public commenters asked for clearer, printable budget materials and questioned the broader city budget’s police spending; staff clarified the CRA budget is separate from the city’s general fund, noting that police personnel allocations are in the city’s operating budget, not the CRA’s redevelopment budget.

No final action was taken; staff will return with a final proposed FY2026 CRA budget (including carryover figures) for the board to consider at the Aug. 20 meeting so it can be incorporated in the city’s tentative budget.","Staff presented a preliminary FY2026 CRA budget and asked for board input. Board members agreed to carry reallocated FY2025 funding into the FY2026 proposal where applicable and asked the incoming economic development director to review budget details before the Aug. 20 adoption meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6164916,"CRA tables possible purchase of 161 East Sixth Street; asks economic development director to evaluate",616,453000,1069000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426610-8a6db78e708bd3acc88d9fbf0aee403d&start=453&end=1069","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426610-8a6db78e708bd3acc88d9fbf0aee403d/thumbnail_453000.jpg","/articles/6164916/Apopka/Orange-County/Florida/CRA-tables-possible-purchase-of-161-East-Sixth-Street-asks-economic-development-director-to-evaluate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164916-db4e49647be43c3c17ef2b455249ad75/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571156&Signature=YRjjaI5I6fgl0yq9afZM~gGgGiGDBCBtxHbkINsxrekFfEk6z7vGJcG~q6dFNNZPt~4R5TlA~lZLdkIdFuMDGkApTTBbjXiyOHCco5dVcH0eOeHRF38fru2uiSL1UK2OBhto0opIZNu2guwSUqoVN1NVf2ptKvy0EcLtg1nYzx81ImUC47H~x4d6YSL9TGaniN286EH3sEReEcEr4v0jM1l1n1eCTC1fNg8H8iZ2yWP9AXUuQuHTd4wb-efLmoAUfc~MKcWcOf3V5VvZbnZWpXQx3i0dSUEfPtluJrA7SOeh9u0EPC001TmI-v-TLGuhN91dos~k9YT23-0BuR-TZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Apopka CRA board on May 21 voted to table action on a potential property acquisition at 161 East Sixth Street and asked the economic development director to evaluate the site and recommend next steps. The motion to table passed unanimously.

Bobby Howell, interim CRA executive director, told the board he had been contacted by a listing agent about the property, which is being offered at $299,000 and measures roughly 0.42 acres. Howell described the site as wooded and located across from the Cobb Center and near the planned public safety building.

Howell told the board the property’s future land-use designation is commercial with a current floor-area ratio of 0.25, which would permit roughly an 8,000-square-foot building on the site under present rules. He also said tree removal would require payment into the city’s tree-mitigation bank at $15 per inch of tree caliper, and the seller’s realtor (Del Armstrong) had contacted staff but did not attend the meeting.

Member Drago and other board members said they did not consider the property blighted and favored allowing the new economic development director time to evaluate feasibility and reuse options, including potential museum expansion and parking. Member Nesta cautioned that if the CRA were to buy the lot, the board should have a funding and timeline plan for any future improvements rather than simply land-banking the site.

Member Drago moved to table the item until the economic development director could review and present recommendations; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

Next steps: staff will have the economic development director evaluate the parcel and return with a recommendation. If the CRA pursues purchase in the future, Howell noted the city would follow procurement protocols, including appraisal and, if sold later, an RFP process for disposition.

Public comment during the meeting included residents urging preservation of trees and suggesting alternatives to clearing the lot if used by the city.","The Apopka CRA board voted unanimously to table consideration of a potential purchase of 161 East Sixth Street, a 0.42-acre parcel offered at $299,000, and directed the newly hired economic development director to assess the site’s best future use.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6164921,"CRA board adopts framework for residential facade grant program; staff to finalize for Aug. 1 rollout",4327,1917000,6244000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426610-8a6db78e708bd3acc88d9fbf0aee403d&start=1917&end=6244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426610-8a6db78e708bd3acc88d9fbf0aee403d/thumbnail_1917000.jpg","/articles/6164921/Apopka/Orange-County/Florida/CRA-board-adopts-framework-for-residential-facade-grant-program-staff-to-finalize-for-Aug-1-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164921-b47dab2253be9c84d5faec571787b094/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571156&Signature=YJGzq9GGLnagqMvz-~ocPTYfO49zUTaf0p-ZXCe5yP4IQgClFextYeGnGCPP0MgxWDpIXFnoAOyC-SV5ezhD4zB7gnZxlZVneldwIz0t-wIPmPWPatFjLFX-DCsLIzfIyH8LEcXtjebysTOx7vKLhPgVr236Nif~qH9jMWwMX5oFG68pJOumcBWui-mwzTwa2Y2vlUOGkKGTErpfQ30SOGrXYghFCv4alZrQY7M~lNyauaflJasgRmKPXABPvRyS-BqelC6rVulRQFVlSpVV4SmDpcUvhIffpePRmhqQ6T~fyO-f5zktD3mou1lLt6HBcUyi-w~pONV3I7Gi7sLlFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency board on May 21 approved a policy framework for a residential façade grant program and voted unanimously to direct staff to finish the program documents for an Aug. 1 rollout. The board set a maximum award of $30,000 per property and discussed eligibility rules, lien and clawback provisions, and contractor requirements.

City attorney Cliff Shepherd said the documents in the board packet include a sample grant agreement, an application form and a payment-application form intended to ensure contractors are paid directly by the CRA. Shepherd described the program’s purpose as improving exterior building elements and resolving health-and-safety issues: \"things like cloth wiring that might cause a fire hazard or widening a doorway because of a handicap access issue.\" He told the board those choices are policy decisions for members to make.

Board members debated who should qualify. After discussion and a show-of-hands, the board limited initial eligibility to owner-occupied properties, including single-family homes, townhomes and duplexes; typical larger apartment complexes were excluded. Member Drago and others argued the program should prioritize owner-occupied properties to encourage homeownership and reduce resale flips by outside investors.

The board also set several implementation guardrails: properties in active foreclosure will be ineligible; applicants must obtain required permits; and the CRA will record a lien against a property that receives funds so the agency can require repayment if the property is sold within an agreed period. Shepherd explained options used by other cities, including liens or deed restrictions, and noted the lien would be discovered in a title search at closing. \"If the house is sold prior to the expiration period, the lien will be paid at closing,\" he said.

Board members left some policy choices for staff to finalize, including whether small multifamily (for example, duplexes) could qualify in limited circumstances and a recommended repayment schedule if the property sells within a defined period. The board discussed, but did not adopt a single final clawback term during the meeting; several members supported a graduated repayment schedule rather than immediate full repayment.

On contractor rules and payments, the board agreed the program will require contractors to provide progress-payment documentation and lien waivers before CRA disbursements. Shepherd said the program could either rely on an approved roster of city contractors or allow applicants to use their own licensed contractors, but requiring the city to review every private contract would add administrative burden.

Public commenters urged prompt outreach and community-accessible application help. Sylvester Hall of Roxbury Bridge asked if the program would be advertised on the city’s water bill newsletter to reach all residents. Another resident asked for pop-up resource centers and partnerships with local businesses to help applicants complete paperwork.

After the policy discussion, Member Drago moved and a colleague seconded a motion directing staff — led by Radley (staff) and Cliff Shepherd — to finalize the application, contract exhibits and the pay-application form and prepare the program for an Aug. 1 launch. The motion carried unanimously.

What happens next: staff will prepare the application and supporting materials, produce a checklist of required documents (proof of owner occupancy, permit copies, contractor licenses, and lien-waivers), and return to the CRA board or administrative staff as needed for final review. The board indicated the economic development director will administer the program once on board and that adjustments can be made after initial rollout if problems arise.","After extensive policy debate, the Apopka CRA board approved a framework for a residential facade-grant program — up to $30,000 per property within a program cap — and voted to direct staff to finalize the application materials for an August 1 public launch.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges board to address South Apopka's unincorporated status, reallocate policing funds and oppose ICE contracts

CRA board reviews preliminary FY2026 budget; final adoption scheduled for Aug. 20

CRA tables possible purchase of 161 East Sixth Street; asks economic development director to evaluate

CRA board adopts framework for residential facade grant program; staff to finalize for Aug. 1 rollout