Crestview council authorizes up to $30 million loan for facilities, using non-ad valorem revenues

The Crestview City Council on Jan. 12 authorized staff to proceed with a loan through the Florida Municipal Loan Council not to exceed $30,000,000 to fund capital projects that the city described as mission-critical.

City management traced the request to a 2018 facilities study that identified vulnerabilities in older buildings, including police evidence storage and auxiliary facilities. The financing package covers three initial projects: Fire Station 3 renovations, construction of a new Public Works complex (described by staff as a multi-function complex, not merely a single building) and reimbursement to the city for a recent property purchase referred to in the meeting as 'the rock.'

City manager emphasized the loan is intended to be repaid with non-ad valorem revenues rather than by increasing the ad valorem (property tax) rate. "This plan … does not include any changes to the ad valorem rate," staff said, and described the financing as the beginning phase of a long-term strategy for replacing or upgrading aging city facilities.

Council members expressed support, noting the heavy application process and potential cost of delay; one council member said waiting could drive higher costs due to inflation. The council moved and adopted Resolution 2026-09; the motion passed 3-0 with two absentees.

Staff said PRAG and the Florida League of Cities provided technical assistance and that staff and legal counsel had reviewed loan documentation. The resolution approves the loan form and related disclosure and sale documents and authorizes the mayor and staff to proceed with the loan process.