Consultants: removing Singer Island from Riviera Beach CRA would cut about $55 million in TIF over 10 years; residents urge protections for scale and ecology

Riviera Beach CRA consultants on Aug. 27 told the agency that removing Singer Island from the CRA boundary would reduce tax‑increment financing (TIF) revenues to the CRA by an estimated $54–55 million over 10 years, based on current assessed values and a conservative growth assumption.

The presentation: Albert Waters of E.L. Waters & Company and Corey Ann Delaine of Oral Group presented a preliminary fiscal analysis showing Singer Island’s taxable base at about $450,000,000. Using a 1% annual growth assumption and a 95% typical CRA capture rate, they estimated roughly $5.49 million in annual TIF revenue from the Singer Island portion; over a flat 10‑year projection that yields approximately $54–55 million in TIF captured by the CRA.

Methodology and cautions: Consultants said the estimate used standard state methodology for TIF and current millage rates, and that the number is sensitive to future appraisal growth, capture rate and any development. They warned the board that removing Singer Island could affect bonding capacity, investment incentives and the CRA’s leverage for future projects and debt service.

Public comment and community concerns: More than a dozen residents and local officials spoke during a nearly three‑hour public comment period. Many Singer Island residents and officials from neighboring Palm Beach Shores warned against new high‑rise development and asked the board to remove Singer Island from the CRA, arguing the island is not blighted and does not need CRA incentives. Common themes included: - Scale and shadows: Speakers said proposals for 20–27‑story buildings near Phil Foster Park and the Blue Heron Bridge would cast permanent shadows and change neighborhood character. “This would completely destroy the quality of life on Singer Island,” resident Sharon Meniere said. - Environmental and tourism impacts: Several speakers, including Kathleen McGarrin and Palm Beach Shores Mayor Alan Fiers, said the Blue Heron Bridge shore‑diving site is an economic and ecological asset and that high‑rise construction could harm marine habitat and ecotourism. - Infrastructure and emergency access: Residents cited congested roads and limited evacuation routes and said Singer Island’s roads, water and electrical infrastructure would be strained by higher density.

Staff and board discussion: Board members pressed consultants and staff for more detail. Consultants said the county contribution to the CRA TIF from Singer Island is roughly $1.9 million annually and the city portion about $3.5 million annually (total ~ $5.5M). Executive Director Jadel Mercius and City Manager Jonathan Evans told the board they had seen preliminary developer discussions but no formal planning applications for 20‑plus‑story buildings; Evans said staff had received “preliminary conversations” but no submitted development applications.

Process and next steps: Waters explained that legally changing CRA boundaries requires a formal finding of necessity, notification to the county tax appraiser and the state (Department of Economic Opportunity), and two public hearings; he said the board could initiate a formal study if it wished. Commissioners asked staff for more detailed fiscal analysis, including how revenues would flow to the city and county if boundaries changed, and requested an additional briefing and a dedicated budget workshop before any boundary action.

No board vote: The presentation generated extended discussion and public comment but the board did not vote to change the CRA boundary at the meeting. Commissioners asked for more financial detail and legal analysis before taking any vote.

Ending: The board set an expectation for further analysis and a workshop; residents and officials left with plans to press for either boundary changes or for negotiation over development scale.