Public commenters and council discuss $5.3 million CRA balance and possible waterfront property acquisition

During the Sept. 9 meeting a resident, Devin Aaron of Bay Boulevard, urged the council to use the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funds thoughtfully rather than spending on studies or initiatives he described as a “dog and pony show.” Aaron told the council that Port Richey’s CRA balance was about $5.3 million and suggested investing in visible community assets such as park improvements.

Mayor John Eric Hoover and City Manager Andrew Butterfield responded in discussion that staff were reviewing options to extend the CRA and to ensure the city would be positioned if state legislation limiting CRA extensions is reintroduced. Butterfield said the city has time — he said the CRA was “good till January” — and staff would work on steps to pursue an extension if desired.

Later in the meeting council members and staff discussed a separate but related matter: a potential land acquisition or swap to assemble waterfront parcels in the city’s Waterfront District. Staff said the CRA property-acquisition line item was approximately $1.9 million (CRA funds) and that the issue should be discussed at the CRA meeting immediately following the council session.

Council asked staff to take the matter to the CRA meeting for more detailed consideration of funding sources, and to bring additional information about options and financial implications. No formal CRA expenditure or acquisition was approved at the council meeting; councilmembers said further discussion with CRA members and a follow-up workshop may be appropriate.