DDA keeps 1-mill levy, renews office lease and eyes budget changes for Old School Square

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority voted June 9 to keep the district’s millage rate at 1.0 mills for the coming fiscal year and approved a five‑year renewal of the DDA’s current office lease.

Why it matters: The millage decision preserves the DDA’s primary funding stream for district operations, public-realm maintenance and Old School Square programming. Board members said steady funding helps the DDA continue ambassador and public‑safety support downtown.

The vote: Board members conducted a roll call on the millage resolution and the motion to retain the 1.0‑mill levy passed unanimously among those present. Several members said the levy amount represented a modest per-property tax change while supporting essential downtown services.

Lease renewal: The board also approved a formal five‑year renewal of the DDA office lease at the current location downtown. Staff said the renewal includes the routine annual increase (approximately 3 percent) and that a clause in the agreement allows early termination with notice; the board discussed but did not adopt any right‑of‑first‑refusal purchase language.

Old School Square finances: Staff presented April financial reports for the DDA and Old School Square. Key takeaways included roughly $1.83 million in DDA revenues to date and operating expense items for events and programming at Old School Square that will be examined in greater detail at the…