Opelika CRA adopts FY2025–26 budget; board debates $120,000 police allocation and streetscape plan

The City of Opelika Community Redevelopment Agency on Thursday adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 general operating and tax-increment fund budget, setting total projected revenue and allocating funds to grants, programs and administrative costs. The board approved the budget by roll call following discussion about program reductions and a $120,000 line the director described as a tentative allocation for a police agreement.

Interim Executive Director reviewed the packet and said the agency projects $2,000,908 in combined city and county tax-increment revenue and total revenue of $3,552,568 when carry-forward and interest earnings are included. The director said the agency’s available funds are lower than last year — roughly $3.5 million this year versus about $7.9 million previously — because the CRA spent nearly $4.5 million on property purchases in the prior year.

Budget changes include reductions to the Home Improvement Assistance Program (from $250,000 to $135,000) with the intent to lower per-household awards so more homeowners can be served; cuts to commercial grants (from $800,000 to $150,000); a microbusiness grant line of $100,000 (reduced from $150,000); development assistance at $620,000 (down from $850,000); and a Butterfly Garden line set to zero. The director also noted the agency is statutorily required by Florida to reserve 10% of its budget for affordable housing needs and described that set-aside as a “parking space” for future housing programs or land purchases.

The proposed budget included $120,000 listed as a transfer to the city for a police agreement. That item drew pushback from multiple board members. Board member Taylor questioned whether a community redevelopment agency should fund police activities, stating in the meeting, "We're a community development, CRA. Why we we should be doing community? I don't unless you can elaborate on that program, I that's the 1 I just do not agree with." Several board members suggested alternatives such as funding neighborhood blight remediation, home repairs for elderly residents, lighting upgrades, or camera programs that provide cameras to residents with police access. The director said initial conversations with the former administration and the police department had begun; he described the $120,000 as a placeholder while specifics are developed and said one possible use could be to cover overtime for special operations within the CRA area.

Board members also discussed a $150,000 streetscape line intended to fund a paid street-cleaning and landscaping crew and equipment. Some members questioned whether a temporary cleanup contract would produce lasting change; they asked staff to consider more permanent capital investments (median landscaping, irrigation, crosswalk upgrades, lighting) and requested a more detailed streetscape proposal.

Other items noted in the budget include a $50,000 transfer for code-enforcement support, $11,000 for computer equipment, and a $250,000 transfer to the city for park amenity programming. The director said the agency will re-check the interest-earnings estimates and a scrivener’s error in the packet; staff said corrections would be made but that the budget remained in the positive.

The board approved the FY2025–26 budget on a roll call vote. Members asked staff to bring back a revised streetscape proposal that incorporates durable improvements and to continue discussions with police and other partners before spending on any policing-related program.