Lynn Haven City Commission approves Lynn Haven CRA annual report; public speaker urges attention to CRA sunset

The Lynn Haven City Commission on an unspecified date approved the Lynn Haven Community Redevelopment Agency annual report for fiscal year 2023–24 following a presentation by staff and brief public comment.

Mr. Janke, a staff presenter for the Lynn Haven CRA annual report, told commissioners the CRA installed “a little bit over half a mile of sidewalks” during the fiscal year at a cost of about $360,000 and that an incentive program spent about $20,000 and “increased the taxable value within the CRA…by 1.3, almost $1,400,000.” He said the CRA also helped secure infrastructure grants around the Tenth Street corridor totaling about $5,250,000 and improvements on Florida and Ohio avenues estimated at $4,300,000.

The report’s financial snapshot, Mr. Janke said, showed $1,355,072 in the CRA bank account as of Sept. 30, 2024, and an ending fund balance of $1,348,394 for the most recent fiscal year. He described prior revenue and expenditure figures in the report and answered commissioners’ questions about the CRA’s lifespan and state-level proposals affecting CRAs.

During public comment, Mr. Walker, who identified himself as a longtime local resident, recounted the CRA’s formation in the early 2000s and said residents had been told citizens would serve on and eventually control the CRA board. “CRA was set up to take care of the blight in the communities,” Walker said, and he urged commissioners to remember earlier promises as the agency approaches the end of its statutory lifespan.

On the question of the CRA’s lifespan, Mr. Janke said each CRA has a default 30-year lifespan and that, because the trust fund was established in 2004, the Lynn Haven CRA’s 30-year term would reach its default expiration in 2034. He also cautioned that state lawmakers in Tallahassee were discussing changes to CRA requirements and that a proposal under discussion could set a future statewide sunset date for CRAs; he said no bill number was provided and that nothing had been voted on at the state level.

The commission first approved a consent agenda—including approval of minutes and reappointments—by roll call before taking up the CRA report. After discussion and public comment, Commissioner Ward moved to approve the Lynn Haven CRA annual report for fiscal year 2023–24; Commissioner Purnell seconded the motion. The city manager called the roll; Commissioners Ward, Purnell and Peebles and Mayor Motown Vanderberg voted yes and the motion carried.

The approved report, as described in the presentation, lists recent capital and incentive spending, grant-funded infrastructure projects that are not all reflected in the CRA budget but that benefit the CRA area, and the agency’s current fund balance. Commissioners asked for clarifications about the potential for a 10-year extension of the CRA’s term (an option Mr. Janke described that would require county notification and other steps) and about the state-level discussion; Mr. Janke said any extension would still be subject to whatever future state legislation might impose.

The commission did not adopt other measures tied to the report at the meeting; the action recorded in the minutes is approval of the annual report as presented.

Votes at a glance • Consent agenda (minutes and reappointments): motion and second (movers not specified in the transcript); roll call recorded affirmative votes by Commissioner Purnell, Commissioner Wark, Commissioner Peebles and Mayor Motown Vanderberg; outcome recorded as approved. • Lynn Haven CRA annual report for fiscal year 2023–24: motion by Commissioner Ward, second by Commissioner Purnell; roll call recorded affirmative votes by Commissioner Ward, Commissioner Purnell, Commissioner Peebles and Mayor Motown Vanderberg; outcome: approved.

What’s next Mr. Janke noted the CRA has the option to seek a 10-year extension of its term, which would require formal steps including county notification; he also said proposed state legislation could change CRA sunset rules but that no state action had yet occurred.