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CRA marketing idea debated; city attorney questions whether CRA funds can be used for business advertising
Summary
Board member proposed using CRA funds and Pasco County co-op marketing dollars to subsidize local business advertising if businesses display a Port Richey logo. City attorney said CRA funds are intended to address slum and blight and may not be used for marketing; the city can pursue other marketing funds.
A board member proposed using Community Redevelopment Agency funds, combined with Pasco County cooperative marketing dollars, to help Port Richey businesses pay for advertising if they include a city logo or promotion.
Board member David Mueller described a plan in which businesses that present a Port Richey logo in advertising could receive funds toward marketing costs; he said Pasco County plans to offer co-op dollars that would market municipalities and reach wider audiences, including international outlets. “We can tap into that resource also by doing this,” Mueller said.
City attorney Nancy Meyer cautioned that CRA funds traditionally focus on removing slum and blight and said she doubted those funds could be used for general marketing. “I don't know that CRA money can be used to market. I think it's supposed to focus on correcting the slum and blight,” Meyer said. A board member added that the city itself might be able to market using other city funds, but said staff would need to check legal restrictions.
Board members asked staff to research the legal limits on using CRA funds for marketing and to gather more information about the county cooperative-marketing program. No formal action or vote was taken on the proposal during the meeting.
The discussion followed other CRA items on staffing and demolition and did not lead to policy changes at that session.
