Ocala CRA board approves residential grant revisions, funds nine-window replacement in East Ocala

The Ocala Community Redevelopment Area Agency Board on April 15 approved revisions to the East Ocala and West Ocala residential property improvement grant programs and authorized a separate grant to replace nine windows at an East Ocala residence.

Roberto Ellis, economic development manager, told the board the proposed program changes add termite treatment to the list of eligible work in both East and West Ocala and require a certified termite inspection report from a licensed vendor for any termite-related application. The board also approved lowering the city's match for roofing improvements in East Ocala from 75% to 50% to encourage applicants to pursue additional property improvements.

Ellis said the East Ocala property grant approved by the board covers the replacement of nine windows at an estimated cost of $15,275. Staff and the East Ocala CRA advisory committee recommended the award. Ellis told the board the grant amount is based on the lower of competing contractor quotes and that a roughly $4,700 difference between quotes was attributed to labor costs; the recommended award reflects the lower quote.

Board members voted unanimously to approve both the program revisions and the individual East Ocala grant. The approvals were taken during the CRA board meeting after the staff presentation and a roll-call vote in which members recorded aye votes.

The residential program changes aim to broaden eligible repairs and remove a financial barrier for roofing work in East Ocala, while the termite-inspection requirement is intended to verify documented pest issues before funding treatment. The board did not attach additional conditions to the approvals and did not specify an implementation date during the discussion.

The CRA board adjourned the meeting after completing the agenda items.