Bradenton Beach’s community redevelopment agency July 18 addressed possible funding for projects in fiscal year 2023-24.
“The CRA is kind of simple when it comes to revenue,” city treasurer Shayne Thompson told the board’s members during a meeting at city hall. “Anticipated to come from the county next year in ad valorem (revenue) is $635,677 and the city’s contributions to the CRA will be $142,516, giving the CRA $781,199 in new revenue.”
The CRA was established in 1992 and funds projects with incremental tax revenue collected from the city and Manatee County. The money must be used in the CRA district — from Cortez Road West on the north to Fifth Street South, from the Gulffront on the west to the bayfront on the east.
Thompson said as of July 18 $711,839 in the proposed 2023-24 CRA budget was not allocated, with decisions to be made in a series of meetings before the budget’s adoption in September.
The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
During the July 18 meeting, Commissioner Ralph Cole, who chairs the CRA, recommended keeping administrative expenses the same as this year — $5,000. A motion to do so passed 5-0. Marilyn Maro and Ed Chiles were absent with excuses.
Mayor John Chappie motioned to approve $121,000 in general CRA expenses. The motion was seconded by Spooner and passed 5-0.
The proposed police budget includes $100,769 for regular salaries, wages and taxes.
Police Chief John Cosby said the figure also includes funds to staff a greater police presence on Wednesdays in the district.
Spooner motioned to approve the police spending and Chappie seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
Capital projects represent the biggest blank slate in the budget as only $20,000 is allocated for sea grass mitigation and $52,000 for the tram service operating between Coquina Beach and the district.
The seagrass mitigation is part of a Florida Department of Environmental Protection contract, begun in April 2021, for a canal dredging from the South Coquina Boat Ramp to the Historic Bridge Street Pier.
Mitigation is still underway, with mangrove and seagrass replacement taking place along the dredged area.
The board plans to further discuss capital improvements in August.
The next CRA meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.