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CRA reviews HACRA and Lincolnville budgets; commissioners back raising Fix It Up cap to $100,000 in principle
Summary
Staff presented FY24–25 HACRA and Lincolnville CRA budgets, detailing revenue sources and proposed allocations; commissioners signaled support for raising the Fix It Up per-applicant cap from $50,000 to $100,000 and discussed associated lien-period changes and legal risks for title clearing.
City staff presented proposed fiscal-year 2024–25 budgets for the Historic Area Community Redevelopment Area (HACRA) and the Lincolnville Community Redevelopment Area, outlined line-by-line revenue assumptions and discussed program allocations including mobility, open space and historic-preservation projects.
Jamie Perkins, Neighborhood Services and CRA Manager, said HACRA new revenues are projected at $3,081,443 (including $1,456,435 in St. Augustine tax-increment financing and $903,708 in St. Johns County TIF), plus a moved $671,300 grant from Lincolnville, producing a combined HACRA revenue (with carry-forward) staff calculated at $3,593,731. Perkins described allocations that include $162,288 for a Cordova Street study and design, $200,000 for mobility improvements, $544,643 for open-space improvements and previously approved funds for a Greater St. Mary’s preservation project.
Perkins also reviewed the Lincolnville CRA proposal, which shows new revenues of $2,395,505, a prior-year carry-forward of $2,053,672, and combined proposed revenue of $4,449,177. Perkins said administrative expenses are budgeted at $257,646 and highlighted active Lincolnville programs, including the Fix It Up program for homeowner repairs.
"Each applicant can get up to $50,000 for the repairs of their residential property," Perkins said, describing current caps and how returning applicants are credited against the cap. Commissioners discussed raising the award cap to address rising construction costs; some supported a stepped approach up to $75,000 or $100,000, and staff reported staff experience where recipients have needed additional funds beyond $50,000. The board expressed consensus in principle toward a $100,000 cap and discussed that awards at or above $100,000 commonly bring an extended lien term (staff noted a move to 20 years for awards at $100,000 or above in comparable institutional-rehab practice).
Commissioners also discussed using open-space and mobility allocations for a tree-canopy/greenscaping program across CRAs to increase pedestrian shade and reduce heat; Perkins said funds exist to support tree planting and that the proposed consulting allocation ($100,000) could pay for traffic and lighting studies.
City attorney Ms. Lopez cautioned about clearing title to enable eligibility for repair funds, noting statutory notice requirements and the risk that probate or unknown heirs could affect who has legal title. Lopez said legal-aid partners could help with filings in select cases but emphasized the policy tradeoffs between helping longtime occupants and taking on higher legal risk.
Public commenters urged more downtown trees and repairs to tennis courts; a resident representing a tennis association sought resurfacing of city courts (the city estimated full resurfacing costs near $200,000) and staff said the issue will be addressed in the regular budget process where jurisdictional maintenance obligations can be reviewed.
Perkins said the HACRA budget will return for formal adoption next month and staff will refine lien and award criteria for the Fix It Up program per the board’s direction.
