Submitted By: Roberto Ellis
presenter
Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
end
Department: Growth Management
/
FORMAL TITLE:
title
Framework for administrative decisions relating to the Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency grant programs
end
/
OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence
/
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
/
body
BACKGROUND:
On June 9, 2026, at the Ocala City Council Work Session, staff proposed implementing a new approval mechanism to expedite certain CRA grant processing. The proposed decision process would allow administrative action for CRA grants provided the following criteria are met:
The total project cost results in a grant award of $10,000 (per application) or less; or
The applicant chooses to expedite the application and accepts a maximum grant of $10,000. Applicants must waive any additional grant funds for which they would have qualified.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The proposed framework builds upon the success of the CRA grant programs by adding an administrative approval option to expedite certain defined grant applications. Further, providing an administrative decision option will expedite the processing of qualifying applications, reducing processing time for applicants and enhancing the grant program's attractiveness and viability.
This framework aligns with the best practices for operational excellence established in the City of Ocala Code of Ordinances, Sec. 106-78 - Management of redevelopment trust fund by community redevelopment agency.
The City Manager or designee is limited to approving a cumulative total of $50,000 in grants for each CRA subarea during the fiscal year.
The proposed limit within each subarea aligns with the City of Ocala fiscal and governance policies.
The City Manager or designee may consider both residential and commercial property improvement grants within the funding limit.
This process is expected to provide an administrative decision within 10 business days, from application t...
Click here for full text