Blueprint IA adopts balanced FY2026 budget, authorizes airport minimum revenue guarantees and a new affordable‑housing gap fund

The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency on May 8 approved a proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget and five‑year capital improvements program, authorized the city to administer a minimum revenue guarantee program to recruit new air service at Tallahassee International Airport, and added an annual $250,000 allocation to create an affordable housing gap finance incentive program.

The board approved staff recommendation Option 1 (items a–c) and accepted an amendment (d) to task the Office of Economic Vitality with developing an affordable housing gap finance incentive program and to include a $250,000 allocation for the current fiscal year. Commissioner Maddox made the motion; Commissioner Minor seconded. The roll call vote was 10 in favor, 2 opposed (Commissioners Caban and Proctor).

The budget staff described the FY2026 proposal as balanced and focused on keeping construction on schedule. "We're pleased to bring you a balanced budget that maintains the momentum on the projects that we have going on with the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency," Artie White said during the workshop. Staff said the FY2026 infrastructure allocation totals roughly $98 million, with about $87 million targeted for regional mobility and gateway projects; over the five‑year planning period, staff projected almost $150 million in local construction expenditure to 2030.

Autumn Calderon, who led the infrastructure presentation, highlighted multiple active projects: Orange Meridian Park (groundbreaking held the same day), Market District Park and Northeast Park under construction, and other work on the Capital Cascades Trail and Lake Jackson Greenway. Calderon noted prior board decisions to advance‑fund projects and to approve financing plans…