Boca Raton CRA approves participation in downtown campus deal, despite public accusations about city attorney; adoption contingent on March 10 referendum

The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing the agency to participate in a downtown campus redevelopment transaction with the city and Boca Raton City Center LLC, but officials said the agency’s role is limited to potential tax‑increment financing and public‑improvement funding and remains contingent on voter approval.

City Attorney Kaylor told the board the resolution "authorizes the CRA to participate in the downtown campus redevelopment in partnership with the city and Boca Raton City Center LLC" and emphasized that "the effectiveness [is] subject to the conditions, meaning contingent on voter approval at the 03/10/2026 referendum." He also said the CRA does not own the downtown campus and would not be transferring land; its role is limited to funding and signing transaction documents tied to eligible public improvements.

The public hearing drew criticism from community activists. John Perlman, identifying himself as president and chairman of Save Boca Inc., said documents and communications show developer input on ballot language and warned the council against signing any binding agreement before the public referendum. "So, mister Wigder, do not sign the agreement prior to the vote," Perlman told the CRA.

Perlman alleged that a late, substantial contract change had been buried in an uploaded scan of the contract and that the city attorney had led negotiations with the developer. Mayor Singer pressed Perlman to clarify whether he personally sent emails from john@saveboca.org; Perlman said the account is an organizational address for Save Boca Inc., which he said is a political committee. Singer said he did not know who funded mailers and described Save Boca Inc. as a "501(c)(4)" whose contributors are not publicly disclosed.

Several commissioners defended the city attorney. Chair Wigder, Commissioner Drucker and Vice Chair Thompson praised Kaylor’s years of service and integrity, calling the insinuations unfair. Commissioner Drucker accused the public comments of "theatrics" and misinformation; another participant, Joe Wager, called Kaylor "one of the most moral men that I know." Richard Warner, a different public commenter, described the project and the process as "corrupt" (he said he did not mean personal financial corruption) and said officials had lost public trust.

After discussion the board moved to adopt the resolution. Mayor Singer moved adoption; a second was recorded. On roll call, Vice Chair Thompson voted No; Commissioners Drucker, Singer, the member listed in the transcript as "Necklace," and Wachter voted Yes. The motion passed 4‑1.

The resolution as presented authorizes the CRA to sign transaction documents and to participate in funding mechanisms such as tax‑increment financing for public improvements, but Kaylor and others repeatedly underscored that any obligations would be effective only if the voters approve the project in the March 10, 2026 referendum. Public commenters urged against any pre‑referendum commitments; city leaders said they had no evidence of improper conduct and that they lacked information about the funding of mailers and campaign communications.

Next steps: the resolution passed and remains conditioned on voter approval. The board did not record additional formal directions beyond approval and the item was closed for the CRA meeting.