Zephyrhills CRA adopts 2025–26 budget, signals funding push for downtown grants and projects

The City of Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency on Sept. 22 approved its fiscal year 2025–26 budget, clearing the way for capital projects and expanded grant programs in the downtown redevelopment district.

CRA Director Gail Hamilton told board members the budget before them had been through workshops and was ready for adoption. "The resolution tonight is to approve the budget for the 2025-2026 CRA budget. In your backup, you should have the budget. We've looked at it. We've workshopped it," Hamilton said during the meeting.

The agency approved what staff described as the district budget and associated exhibits under resolution language read at the meeting; the board took the vote by voice and the motion passed unanimously. Hamilton said CRA staff will return to the board soon to discuss enlarging some grant line items "to try and create more incentive to get people purchases of homes or help businesses open up or restore their buildings within the district."

Main Street director Anton Gildan, reporting under the CRA agenda, summarized community and economic development activity downtown. "September has been a pretty busy month," Gildan said. He told board members Main Street's economic vitality committee is actively working with property owners and potential merchants to fill small retail vacancies. He also gave a status update on event planning and fundraising: Main Street reported roughly $8,500 in title sponsorships secured for fall and winter events and said the group has raised nearly $8,000 from an investor drive toward a year-end goal of $20,000.

Gildan highlighted marketing metrics: "Over the last 90 days, we've had over 256,000 page views," and "for the first time since I've been director ... we have reached 17,000 followers," he said, adding Instagram engagement had also risen.

Staff gave multiple project updates tied to the adopted budget. Highlights include: - A planned improvement for Eighth Street and Oakside Cemetery, including new sidewalks, a fence with brick columns, signage and plantings; bid packages for that work were reported as being out to subcontractors with a Sept. 29 bid date and a projected guaranteed maximum price submittal in early October. - Park updates: surveys and equipment selection are underway; Kimberly Horn (consultant Kimley-Horn) is preparing a master plan for Veterans Park to include items requested by the Daughters of the American Revolution and other amenities the CRA may add in future years. - Zephyr Park: the city and CRA are at about 30% design and reported receipt of RFQs for a construction manager at risk; a committee meeting is scheduled for Sept. 29 to review recommendations. - Historic theater: staff and architect KMF have reviewed demolition documents; staff said draft existing-condition reports will be circulated to board members and that any formal demolition or redevelopment will include public outreach.

Public works staff and CRA members discussed an extensive street-tree issue on Fifth Avenue. Public works Director Shane LeBlanc said the Washingtonian palms along Fifth Avenue "have exceeded the height of our bucket truck" and are shedding debris onto cars and awnings; staff estimated roughly 17 palms are affected. "They've just outlived their use as a street tree. It's time to replace them," LeBlanc said. Board members and staff debated whether to plant larger shade trees in right-of-way strips and whether irrigation warranties or gator bags should be provided to support new plantings.

Hamilton also gave an update on code and business intake work intended to speed openings in the CRA district. Staff said they are coordinating planning, building, fire and code enforcement reviews so property owners and prospective business operators understand required upgrades up front; staff also reported proactive outreach to property owners about older pole signs that must be removed after a business has been vacant six months.

Hamilton and staff closed by listing next steps tied to the approved budget: a series of grant-package workshops, follow-up on park and tree-planting programs, circulation of draft reports on the theater and paving projects, and participation in the Florida Main Street quarterly meeting Sept. 29–30.

Board members did not identify dollar-by-dollar amendments during the meeting; staff said specific capital allocations and any proposed increases to grant lines will return for review at future meetings.