Boca Raton CRA adopts $54 million budget, reserves funds for downtown redevelopment

The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on Monday adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approving roughly $54 million in spending and reserving tens of millions for multi‑year downtown redevelopment projects.

The agency adopted Resolution 2025‑58 CRA after a public hearing and discussion among board members. Chair Wictor opened the budget presentation to the board and public, and Stephen Timberlake of the Financial Services Department and Jim Zervos, the city’s chief financial officer, presented the plan.

The adopted operating budget funds day‑to‑day CRA operations and pays for city staff services provided under an interlocal arrangement, including development services, police, code enforcement, public works, engineering, recreation services and finance. The presentation said the CRA expects tax increment revenue of about $26,750,000 for 2025–26 and showed an expected budget of $54,000,000 with $15,000,000 held for additional projects. The materials also described capital outlays and specific redevelopment projects totaling about $70,000,000 and noted $39,250,000 would be held over across three multiyear projects.

The CRA listed near‑term capital priorities including a transit‑oriented community program, downtown sidewalks and hardscape improvements, Meissner Park amphitheater roof replacement, downtown traffic signal work, Palmetto Park Road connectivity and an east–west connectivity study, as well as downtown parking analysis, decorative street lighting and park electrical upgrades. The FY26 budget also funds hiring three positions: a community customer service representative, a police officer and a cultural and community programs administrator.

During public comment, John Perlman of Save Boca pressed the agency for line‑item detail on the large reserved sums for transit‑oriented redevelopment, saying he had received a 65‑page records response that did not show line‑item expenditures. Mr. Perlman said the agency appeared to be reserving about $80,000,000 for a “transit‑oriented community redevelopment downtown” category without specific project detail.

Mayor Singer and other board members responded that reserving funds for multi‑year projects is standard budget practice and that detailed allocations and project bids will return to the board for approval when specific projects are ready. Jim Zervos explained that the CRA’s tax increment revenue is derived from the difference between the frozen base value when the CRA was established and current downtown property values, and that funds must be spent on redevelopment projects; unspent funds without a designated purpose would be remitted back to the underlying taxing authorities proportionately.

Commissioner Drucker requested an update from Brightline be scheduled for the board; Drucker and Vice Chair Thompson also addressed public safety and education efforts related to train crossings during the discussion. The board noted that downtown investments should be resilient whether or not Brightline continues service in Boca Raton.

On a roll call vote the resolution passed 5–0 (Vice Chair Thompson, Chair Wictor, Commissioner Nacklis, Commissioner Singer and Commissioner Drucker voting yes). The board’s approval forwards the CRA budget as part of the city’s broader annual budget process, with final city budget approval scheduled for Thursday.

The CRA staff said more detailed project budgeting and procurement items will be presented to the board as projects are scoped and bids are received.