Staff proposes restoring higher ad valorem support to CRA; cityad valorem revenue projections explained

Staff presented FY26 ad valorem revenue projections, described how those revenues support public-safety expenditures, and proposed increasing the city's allocation to the community redevelopment area (CRA).

Vicky said total ad valorem revenue for FY26 is estimated at about $9.25 million. Of that total, staff identified $1.4 million allocated to the CRA, with approximately $580,000 attributable to the county portion and $820,000 attributable to the city portion under the current arrangement. Staff said that when the county renewed the CRA 10-year agreement it reduced its contribution to 50% and the city had matched the county's dollar contribution; because project costs have risen, staff proposed increasing the city's support toward a 95% proportionate share to align with the original intent of the agreement, which staff estimated would increase the city's contribution by roughly $300,000.

Staff also noted that an estimated 79% of ad valorem revenue is expected to cover public-safety-related expenditures in the general fund (fire, EMS, law enforcement and code enforcement), with additional support from EMS and fire district taxes and reimbursements covering roughly 15% of those public-safety costs and other general-fund revenues covering the remainder.

Commissioners did not adopt any change at the workshop; staff will incorporate proposed CRA allocation changes and ad valorem projections into the FY26 budget for consideration at the public hearings.