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Clearwater DDB adopts budget amendments, forwards proposed FY25–26 budget and renews interlocal with CRA
Summary
The Clearwater Downtown Development Board approved third‑quarter amendments to FY23–24, advanced a proposed FY25–26 budget to the September hearings, and authorized a three‑year interlocal agreement continuing CRA staffing and administrative services.
The Clearwater Downtown Development Board on Aug. 4 approved third‑quarter amendments to its FY23–24 budget, advanced a proposed FY25–26 operating budget to September budget hearings, and authorized a three‑year interlocal agreement continuing the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to provide staffing and administrative services to the DDB. Anne Lopez, CRA assistant director, told the board, “The total expenditures for May were $46,768.20. For June, the total spend was $14,410.86.”
The board adopted Resolution 25‑01 to record the FY23–24 amendments, which staff said increase revenues by $15,263 and reallocate a previously approved $300,000 for Cleveland Street activation that had been authorized at the board’s March meeting. Jason Nino, CRA executive director, described the interlocal agreement as a continuation of a long‑standing partnership: “This partnership has been in place since 2000 … Each year, the CRA will retain a small portion of those funds, to cover staff and administrative cost. That amount will increase by 5% annually, and the remaining funds will be returned to the DDB.”
Staff presented the DDB’s proposed FY25–26 operating budget, which projects property tax revenues at $475,988 and proposes using $310,178 from the current unassigned fund balance. The proposal would allocate $435,473 to marketing (including $370,473 for special event funding), $249,653 to business assistance (covering Cleveland Street holiday decor, the Jolly Trolley loop, continued Cleveland Street activations and a planned outdoor cafe program), $79,365 for staff and administration, $379,975 for the CRA increment payment, and $75,000 for minimum reserves per policy. The board voted to send the proposed budget to the public hearings scheduled for Sept. 3 and Sept. 17.
Board members asked clarifying questions about timing and program details; one member said they would reserve questions for the director’s report. No public comments were offered on these agenda items during the meeting. The motions to approve the amendments, the proposed budget, and the interlocal agreement carried unanimously.
