Hallandale Beach CRA reviews $59.4 million draft FY‑2025/26 budget, highlights affordable housing and streetscape spending

The City of Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Directors reviewed a draft FY 2025–26 budget Wednesday and discussed allocations including about $14 million for affordable housing land acquisition and $1.5 million for District 8 streetscape work, while staff answered questions about a popular hurricane-window/shutter program and ongoing coordination with the FEC parking‑lot owner.

The draft budget presented by Executive Director Dr. Earl and Finance and Budget Manager Jalon Carlson sets total expected revenues at approximately $59,400,000, led by tax‑increment financing (TIF) revenue of about $31,700,000. "The final budget will be presented on September 29, the same night as the city commission's final reading of their budget," Executive Director Dr. Earl said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the CRA controls TIF and other redevelopment dollars that fund capital projects, small‑business grants and residential aid inside the CRA boundaries. The board’s allocations will shape near‑term investments in affordable units, streetscape work along Dixie Highway and District 8, and several resident assistance programs that have seen heavy demand.

Key budget numbers and priorities

- Total projected FY 2025–26 revenue: approximately $59,400,000; major TIF share: about $31,700,000 (53% of projected revenues). - City portion of TIF: about $17,300,000; Broward County portion: about $13,200,000; Children's Services Council: $1,100,000; South Broward Hospital District: $200,000. - Carryforward from FY25: approximately $26,600,000 (about $25,000,000 in general fund carryforward and $1,600,000 related to the redevelopment revenue note). - Affordable housing: approximately $14,000,000 set aside for property purchases, vacant lots and renovation/construction of affordable units; the CRA goal is to construct or renovate at least 50 affordable units over the next few years. - Land acquisition and construction: $5,500,000 budgeted for land acquisition tied to affordable housing plus an additional $2,000,000 for construction; $200,000 for related utilities/appraisals. - Residential programs: $5,300,000 total budgeted (including $2,000,000 for the hurricane window/shutter program, $1,000,000 for down‑payment assistance, $1,400,000 for neighborhood improvement, $400,000 rental assistance, senior grants totaling $350,000). - Capital projects: Shaves Lake Eco Park ($6,000,000), BF James Park Pavilion ($800,000), FEC parking lot/related District 8 improvements (funding encumbered for Northeast First Avenue work plus $1,500,000 proposed for the parking lot and accompanying streets), Houndale Beach Art Trail ($5,500,000), Dixie Highway projects ($9,300,000, including $6,000,000 for the Dragonfly development), and annual TIF payment to the Village of Gulfstream Park ($500,000). - Debt service: budgeted principal and interest for Series 2015 note (about $1,600,000), Series 2016 capital improvement bond (about $1,200,000), and Series 2020 redevelopment revenue note (about $4,300,000).

Discussion highlights

District 8 and FEC parking lot: Directors and staff discussed completing improvements in District 8 (marketed as a cultural/walkable area). Board members urged more events and activation to bring foot traffic. Carlson projected large streetscape work on Dixie Highway will begin in October and last about 18 months; staff said some sections would be inaccessible during construction and that the CRA is exploring alternate nearby streets and portions of the parking lot for short‑term event space. Carlson said of the adjacent parking owner, "FEC is not responsive. I'll say it that way," when explaining challenges coordinating upgrades on the portion of the lot owned by FEC. He described planned work as addressing drainage, resurfacing, potholes, roots and lighting.

Hurricane‑window/shutter program demand and safeguards: CRA residential staff member Laverne said the shutter program has been extremely popular. "We exhausted the $2,000,000 in the first week that we opened up the program," she said. Board members expressed concern about program integrity and so‑called “double dipping” when ownership records change. Laverne described additional verification steps: "we are going back now. We are going back, and we're checking to make sure that if you were on the deed ... we are checking to see that you've already gotten assistance, and we're denying those if you've already gotten assistance for the home." Staff said deed and recorded quick‑claim searches on the Broward County property appraiser site are now part of the review process.

Processing capacity vs. funding: staff cautioned that processing applications creates a bandwidth limit. Laverne said handling one neighborhood improvement program (NIP) application can take about 10 staff hours and that a single shutter application can require a full work day when intake, contractor coordination and payment processing are counted. The board confirmed the CRA budget resolution allows certain internal transfers should a program exhaust its allocation.

Land acquisition and legal limits: Board members discussed acquiring properties to create parking or public infrastructure. The CRA’s attorney clarified that the CRA cannot employ eminent domain for redevelopment purposes; that question would be for the city attorney and the city government if pursued.

Other program notes and partnerships

- The CRA budget includes interlocal agreement funding for police innovation ($2,000,000), code compliance support ($94,000) and an annual cost allocation study ($481,000). - The CRA maintains a five‑year redevelopment agreement with Hallandale City Center that includes an affordable housing buy‑down expense of $70,000 for FY 26. - The CRA has a $35,000 community partnership grant with the Housing Foundation of America for first‑time homebuyers.

Formal actions and votes

At the meeting the board approved minutes and the consent agenda by recorded roll calls. Both measures passed unanimously, 5–0. The roll call recorded "yes" votes from Director Adams; Director Butler; Vice Chair Lazaro; Chair Cooper; and Director Lee Matan.

What’s next

Staff will present a final CRA budget on Sept. 29, aligned with the city commission’s final reading of the city budget. The board discussed near‑term options to promote District 8 before major construction begins in October, including potential pre‑construction events and temporary closures of alternate streets or portions of parking lots to support vendors and activation.

Ending: The CRA meeting adjourned and the board moved to the city commission meeting on the same agenda night.