Palatka CRA director proposes reallocating historic-preservation funds into code-compliance, outlines new home-repair program

Palatka Community Redevelopment Agency staff presented a revised FY2025–26 budget that shifts small historic-preservation line items into a code-compliance program and reallocated building-improvement funds to better match recent program activity and needs.

CRA director Kristen Carty told the board the draft reallocation reflects lower activity in historic-preservation applications and a desire to concentrate funds where they will be used. “We really weren't getting a lot of activity in that historic preservation, and therefore, wanted to request that instead of us approving what you have received earlier, that we instead change the amounts to what we know would probably be more helpful,” Carty said.

Why it matters: the CRA budget directs tax-increment financing and related revenue toward public improvements and grant programs intended to combat blight and spur downtown investment. The director said reallocating modest historic-preservation amounts into a code-compliance / home-repair line will prioritize exterior repairs and code-related fixes in historically designated neighborhoods while preserving a separate building-improvement (exterior-only) grant.

Key details from the staff presentation: - South Historic District: staff proposed increasing the code-compliance/home-repair allocation to $70,000 (from prior, smaller amounts) after moving funds from a low‑activity preservation line. Carty explained the South district typically has larger allocations because it covers a larger footprint. - North Historic District: staff proposed increasing a “home repair” line from $15,000 to $30,000 by reallocating a $15,000 historic-preservation line that showed as zero in the revised packet. Staff said the change reflects activity and that the North district historically shows less demand for preservation grants. - Building-improvement grants: staff said the original building improvement allocation was $100,000; the new draft reduces it to $60,000 and uses the $40,000 difference for code-compliance and related items.

New program: Carty described a new code-compliance/home-repair application she has drafted. “It’s a new program that I'm creating. You'll see in your packet that I have a program description of what we're looking to do with that,” she said, adding that if the budget is approved the full application will be brought back to the CRA on Sept. 25 for final changes and approval.

Board discussion and conditions: several commissioners asked for clearer, front‑of‑packet math and line‑by‑line explanations before approving reallocations. Commissioner Jones and others pressed for two separate lines—one specifically for home-repair (interior and exterior) and one for code-compliance (exterior/code-corrective work)—so residents with genuine maintenance needs would not be excluded by a program focused solely on code violations. Carty said CRA grants are intended to address exterior issues connected to slum-and-blight objectives and that interior home-improvement work is generally outside the CRA mission unless specifically authorized.

Larimar and Tillman House repairs: commissioners raised the Larimar (historic building) and Tillman House as examples of facility repair needs that may exceed the proposed allocations. Staff said an initial foundation/waterproofing assessment has been completed and that the budget contains a contingency (a “transfer to better street” line) that can be used if further funds are needed once a full inspection and bid process are complete. Carty cautioned the board the $150,000 placeholder for Larimar was an initial estimate and more detailed cost estimates are pending.

Process and next steps: Carty asked for feedback on the program application before bringing it back for approval; commissioners requested clearer spreadsheets showing the original and revised numbers and asked staff to present granular line items in the packet. No formal vote was taken; staff said the next CRA meeting (September 25) would include a full program application if funding is approved.

Ending: Commissioners agreed they wanted the application and detailed budget math in the next packet before any final approvals. Staff committed to incorporate board feedback into the application and to present clearer line‑item documentation in the next CRA packet.