Palm Coast council tables $124,988 SR 100 CRA performance study after members press for outreach and narrower scope

The Palm Coast City Council on March 3 voted unanimously to table a proposed $124,988 contract with Kimley‑Horn for a comprehensive performance and strategic evaluation of the State Road 100 Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), directing staff to schedule a workshop and to reach out to CRA property owners and stakeholders before bringing a revised scope back for consideration.

John Zobler, introduced by staff as the CRA director, told the council the CRA was created in 2004 to spur infrastructure and private investment and that original revenue projections were roughly $181 million (later updated to about $160 million). He said the CRA has generated about $19.762 million so far and that prior projections called for about $71.202 million by this point — figures he used to argue the city needs a right‑sized financial model and strategic plan for the CRA’s remaining eight years before its 2034 sunset.

Several council members expressed concern about scope, cost and stakeholder engagement. Vice Mayor Pontieri said the money belongs to the CRA and asked whether members of the CRA board or property owners had been consulted; she called the $125,000 price tag "outrageous" without prior outreach and suggested narrowing the study or workshopping the issue. Council Member Sullivan likewise urged staff to provide historical studies and to identify where prior assumptions or external factors (such as homestead exemption changes or economic downturns) altered outcomes.

After discussion, Vice Mayor Pontieri moved to table the contract so staff could add the item to a workshop agenda and contact property owners; Miss Cook called the roll and the motion passed unanimously (yes votes recorded from Vice Mayor Pontieri; Council Member Sullivan; Mayor Michael Norris). Council directed staff to return with a more focused scope and to include CRA members in stakeholder engagement.

Why it matters: The SR 100 CRA covers roughly 1,100 acres and uses tax‑increment financing; the evaluation would produce a TIF financial model through fiscal year 2034 and prioritized recommendations for allocating the CRA's remaining funds. Council members said they want better clarity on past assumptions and stronger involvement from CRA stakeholders before committing the six‑figure study.

What remains unclear: Some numerical figures cited in the presentation appear garbled in the transcript (several TIF and annual increment numbers did not read consistently), and council asked staff to provide corrected, sourced financial numbers in any future materials. The item will return after a workshop and outreach to CRA property owners.