St. Augustine staff proposes $5.69 million in new CRA revenues, recommends targeted increases for downtown landscaping, Trinity rehab and West City programs

Jamie D. Perkins, community service director for the City of St. Augustine, presented a draft fiscal 2026 budget for the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on Aug. 14, proposing $5,686,326 in new tax-increment and other revenues and recommending targeted adjustments to three CRAs: Historic Area, Lincolnville and West City.

Perkins told the board the combined new revenue estimate includes 52.7% from city tax-increment financing (TIF), 38.9% from St. Johns County TIF, 6.3% in interest and 2.1% from grants, and said she had applied recent increases in the county TIF estimates to specific projects.

Why it matters: The CRA budgets direct TIF revenue into capital projects, debt service and programing in areas targeted for redevelopment. Perkins said the proposed allocations aim to advance on-the-ground projects while keeping administrative costs low and preserving flexibility to move funds if project needs change.

Most important details

- Total new CRA revenues proposed for 2026: $5,686,326. Perkins said that figure represents “new revenues” rather than the total budget with carryforward.

- Historic Area CRA: St. Johns County’s actuals increased by $136,773, raising the county allocation for the Historic Area to $1,036,773 and increasing that CRA’s new allocation to $2,704,956. Perkins recommended applying the additional county funds to the Downtown Landscape Master Plan, increasing that line from $671,955 to $808,728.

- Lincolnville CRA: County TIF was revised up by $159,883 to $1,009,883, producing a new total CRA revenue figure of $2,676,019. Perkins recommended applying the full increase to the Trinity Independent institutional rehabilitation project, moving that line to $847,985 and noting 100% design documents have been received though construction bids have not yet been solicited.

- West City CRA: County TIF was revised up by $9,535 to $115,535, producing $305,351 in new CRA revenue. Perkins proposed reallocations directed by commissioners to prioritize community stabilization ($150,000) and business development programming ($50,000), with smaller line items for public space/beautification ($20,000), mobility and connectivity ($7,000), branding/signage ($8,851) and historic preservation ($7,000).

Administrative and other notes

Perkins said the combined CRAs spend about 84% of their budget on projects and programs, 12.6% on debt service and 3.4% on administration. She said administrative costs will be monitored more closely under her new position and that the West City CRA’s 20% administrative figure currently includes a repayment to the general fund for consultant work to establish the CRA.

On encumbrances and project status, Perkins said Francis Field improvements already have $51,272 encumbered for consulting and landscape architectural services, meaning those funds are promised to a current contract. For Trinity Institutional Rehab she emphasized the budgeted amount may not cover full construction costs and could fund a Phase 1 scope such as repair of the bell tower.

Contingency and timing

Perkins and commissioners repeatedly noted TIF allocations are estimates tied to property tax revenue and the CRAs’ base year; she reminded the board that West City’s base year is April 2024 and that TIF receipts typically increase over time as property values rise. The board retains discretion to move funds between line items up to $100,000 without publishing a new budget; larger changes would require a published budget amendment, per the city’s budget variation policy.

Public comment and next steps

One member of the public, Gina (street-tree advisory committee), praised the Halbach Group street-tree plan for downtown. No formal budget action was taken at the workshop. Perkins told the board the CRA budgets will be presented for formal action at the Sept. 11 budget meeting.

Quotes

“This morning, I’ll be presenting to you the proposal for the Community Redevelopment Agency’s annual budget,” Perkins said at the start of the presentation.

“That’s a long time in coming and it’s finally gonna happen,” Gina said of the downtown street-tree plan presented to the Street Tree Advisory Committee.

Ending

City staff presented a budget book and pie-chart breakdowns showing how new TIF and other revenues would be distributed across administrative costs, debt service and projects. Commissioners expressed support for prioritizing resident-focused stabilization in West City and for directing the county TIF increases to the Downtown Landscape Master Plan and Trinity rehab. The board will take formal action on the CRA budgets at the Sept. 11 meeting, with staff noting actual TIF receipts could change if county or city tax levies change.