Boynton Beach CRA

Under Florida law (Chapter 163, Part III), local governments are able to designate selected portions of a City as Community Redevelopment Areas where slum and blight exist. Examples of conditions that can support the creation of a Community Redevelopment Area include, but are not limited to: the presence of substandard or inadequate structures, a shortage of affordable housing and inadequate infrastructure. The CRA improves deteriorated areas through revitalization efforts which improves the property values within the designated CRA area and increases property tax revenues.

The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is governed by the CRA “Board” consisting of five elected officials. The Community Redevelopment Agency is responsible for developing and implementing the Community Redevelopment Plans that addresses the unique needs of the targeted area. The plan includes the overall goals for redevelopment in the area, as well as identifying the types of projects planned for the area. Examples of projects include: streetscapes; redevelopment incentives for such things as façade improvements and structural improvements; infill housing; downtown and waterfront revitalization. The redevelopment plan is a living document that can be updated to meet the changing needs within the Community Redevelopment Area.

The funding source for CRA redevelopment initiatives is tax increment financing (TIF), a unique tool available to cities and counties for redevelopment activities. It is used to leverage public funds to stimulate redevelopment activity in the targeted area without raising taxes. The dollar value of all real property in the Community Redevelopment Area is determined as of the base year, the year the CRA is established. Taxing authorities, which contribute to the tax increment, continue to receive property tax revenues based on the base year values. Any tax revenues from increases in real property value, referred to as “increment,” are deposited into the Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund and dedicated to the redevelopment area. Any funds received from a tax increment financing area must be used for specific redevelopment purposes within the targeted area, according to Florida Statutes. The CRA lifespan is limited according to Florida Statute and after the expiration of the CRA; all revenues (presumably much increased from the start of the CRA) are retained by each taxing entity that contributed to the CRA trust fund.

CRA State Statute   |   CRA City Ordinance  |  Establishing Entity Resolution 

CRA 101 Powerpoint