Boca Raton CRA adopts $60.5 million FY2024–25 budget, approves 2025 meeting schedule and hears downtown project updates

The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency voted unanimously Sept. 9 to adopt a proposed fiscal year 2024–25 budget that totals roughly $60.5 million and to approve a resolution rescheduling certain 2025 regular meetings.

Stephen Timberlake, the CRA’s Special Projects Manager, presented the budget and told the board the agency anticipates approximately $22.5 million in tax-increment revenue and total expected operating revenue of $26,400,000 next year. “Our total expected operating revenue is $26,400,000 for next year,” Timberlake said while outlining capital outlays and planned appropriations.

The board’s adoption of Resolution 202407CRA formalizes an operating plan that Timberlake described as including $22 million in capital outlay and approximately $24 million earmarked for specific future redevelopment projects; the FY2024–25 expense total cited in presentation materials was approximately $60,500,000. He said the CRA plans to appropriate about $34 million in reserves, with specified allocations including roughly $6,100,000 for traffic lighting, $24,000,000 for a Palmetto Park Road connectivity project, and $4,000,000 for roadway and sidewalk improvements.

Why it matters: The CRA budget lays out funding for downtown walkability, decorative street lighting, mobility projects tied to the Brightline station, and a planned East–West pedestrian connectivity study. Timberlake noted that the CRA is a dependent special district and that the budget will be finalized after the city’s budget process concludes.

During discussion, commissioners pressed staff for clarification about how unspent funds and any budget overages would be used. Commissioner Wachter asked specifically whether potential overages would be devoted to longer-term allocations such as a community center; Timberlake said the $34 million in reserves being appropriated are tied to three identified projects and that funds would be allocated to specific projects and reevaluated next year.

The meeting also included a separate, brief presentation and unanimous approval of Resolution 202405CRA, which cancels and reschedules certain regular meetings in 2025 after staff confirmed there are no conflicting city, county or state elections on the affected November date.

In his director’s report, Mr. Brown outlined proposed amendments to the Mizner Park maintenance agreement to fund fountain resurfacing, retiling, gazebo restoration, electrical and irrigation upgrades, a south-end sod pilot, and other improvements. Brown also reported vandalism to decorative elements and said staff is considering cameras to help identify perpetrators.

Brown summarized other downtown projects and planning steps: replacement umbrellas and plaque restorations at Sanborn Square, utility box wraps at cultural locations, ongoing paver repairs, an RFP for the East–West connection feasibility study (with committee meetings scheduled for mid-October and a recommendation expected by year-end), and the ordering of recycling bins.

On operational questions, staff said meters can be programmed to provide 10 to 30 minutes free, but that current configurations require the user to visit the meter to claim free time. Commissioners asked staff to research how neighboring cities schedule variable meter hours and to return with options for signs or zone-based hours. Board members also requested a more detailed breakdown of remaining office-equivalent (OE) capacity in downtown subareas and the rules for transfers or conversions between subareas; staff said it would provide that information at a future meeting and can respond to outside inquiries.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 202405CRA (meeting schedule) — approved, 5–0. Resolution 202407CRA (CRA FY2024–25 budget) — approved, 5–0.

The CRA meeting adjourned at 2:06 p.m.