CRA board authorizes contingency transfer to water new street trees amid drought

The City of Palatka Community Development Agency voted May 18 to authorize a conditional budget transfer to pay for interim watering and maintenance of newly planted trees on Saint Johns Avenue.

Staff told the board that the Central Business District TIF and maintenance general ledger accounts lacked sufficient funds to cover estimated interim watering through the contract period. Staff estimated interim watering needs at roughly $15,000 and professional landscaping at about $3,000 per month. In the short term, staff proposed transferring available funds from the professional services line to the landscaping maintenance line to avoid losing the recent tree investment.

At the meeting staff said contracting out landscaping provides a dedicated maintenance schedule and specialized plant care, especially critical during drought conditions and immediately after planting. Commissioners also discussed whether public works or the fire department could help with watering, but staff cautioned that current staffing and workload limit that option.

A motion was made to transfer funds from the professional‑services line to the landscaping maintenance line through October “if funding allows.” The mover (identified in the transcript as the committee member who made the motion) and a seconder were recorded and the motion was approved by voice vote.

Board members asked staff to provide a specific line‑item transfer plan and to review outstanding invoices before executing any transfer. Staff said they will prepare the necessary budget transfer documentation and follow procurement rules when the formal RFP for landscape services is issued later in the year.

The board did not set a permanent funding change; members said the transfer was a temporary measure to preserve recently planted trees until a formal procurement process can identify a longer‑term maintenance contractor.