Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Jacksonville Beach CRA adopts FY 2026–27 budget; board hears warning on voter amendment impact
Summary
The Jacksonville Beach Community Redevelopment Agency unanimously approved the FY 2026–27 CRA budget (Resolution 22026-04). Staff warned a proposed voter homestead amendment could cut roughly $1 million from South End receipts and about $500,000 downtown, figures described as preliminary.
The Jacksonville Beach Community Redevelopment Agency voted Wednesday to adopt its fiscal year 2026–27 budget, approving CRA Resolution 22026-04 for the downtown and South End redevelopment districts.
The action passed by roll-call vote after a staff presentation and board discussion. Chair opened the item by distributing the proposed combined budget spreadsheet for both districts and asking for questions; a committee member moved to accept the resolution and another member seconded the motion.
Why it matters: the budget sets CRA spending and capital priorities for the coming year across both redevelopment districts. Board members and staff flagged an external risk: a pending voter homestead amendment that staff said would hit the more residential South End district harder than downtown.
Board discussion and fiscal context Chair said preliminary conversations with the city manager suggested the South End could see an impact of “about $1,000,000 in the incoming funds,” and downtown could be impacted “maybe only a half million dollars or so.” Chair characterized those as preliminary estimates to be refined once the amendment’s parameters are final.
Ashley Gossett, the CRA chief financial officer, described year-over-year line-item movements: personnel services are rising under the city pay plan and benefit obligations (pension and health insurance); the downtown operating budget is declining slightly due largely to a camera services agreement, while South End operating expenses are increasing for the same reason. On staffing costs, Gossett said the union contract includes a 5% escalator on Oct. 1 plus the annual merit increase.
Vote and immediate outcome The clerk conducted a roll-call vote; members whose names were read answered in the affirmative and the Chair announced the budget approved for fiscal year 2026–27. With the resolution adopted, staff will proceed with the budgeted projects and the five-year capital improvement plan items included in the packet.
Next steps Staff committed to provide additional requested detail: a breakdown of personnel and operating line items that members asked to see, and the five-year capital improvement plan for projects scheduled in the coming year. The board also discussed potential follow-up actions if the voter amendment reduces tax increment revenues for the CRA districts.
