Submitted By: Roberto Ellis
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Presentation By: Roberto Ellis
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-132 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to transfer funds from the West Ocala Community Redevelopment Area fund reserves to the West Ocala Redevelopment Area grants account in support of affordable housing initiatives being implemented in the West Ocala CRA subarea totaling $50,000
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
On March 19, 2024, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board approved implementing the CRA Affordable Housing Program (AHP) in the West Ocala, East Ocala, and North Magnolia CRA subareas. The program assists low-income households with easing the cost burden and improving their ability to meet housing needs. The CRAs offer these incentives to offset development costs, preserve existing housing stock, and provide affordable housing solutions.
The Growth Management Department (GMD) and Community Development Services (CDS) staffs work collaboratively to identify suitable projects and applicants while overseeing the program’s implementation. This initiative also complements CDS’s state and federal programs, helping to mitigate the impact of recent funding reductions.
While the AHP specifically assists low-income households, other grants are available to community members who can fund improvements, which the CRA then reimburses.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
In Fiscal Year 2023-24, $150,000 was allocated for projects in the West Ocala CRA subarea. To date, staff has implemented or committed all of the funding available for projects located within the CRA boundary. Staff is requesting the appropriation of additional funds in the amount of $50,000 for planned projects.
On January 23, 2025, the West Ocala CRA Advisory Committee met and confirmed they support appropriating additional funds for the program. Staff recommends approval, as the program aligns with the CRA's redevelopment function. The West Ocala CRA Plan supports this request, Goal 3 (Objective 6), which encourages additional funding and partnerships with community affordable housing providers to upgrade blighted housing and remove unsafe/unsanitary conditions for low-income individuals and families.
This request is also presented at the February 18, 2025, CRA Board meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The West Ocala CRA reserve account (623-099-999-559-81-99999) has a balance of $2,201,416. Project payments will be made from the West Ocala CRA grants account (623- 016-560-559-55-82010).
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Adopt with changes.
• Table
• Deny
BUDGET RESOLUTION 2025-132
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 BUDGET TO TRANSFER FUNDS FROM THE WEST OCALA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA FUND RESERVES TO THE WEST OCALA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA GRANTS ACCOUNT, IN SUPPORT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES BEING IMPLEMENTED IN THE WEST OCALA CRA SUBAREA TOTALING $50,000
WHEREAS, in 1988, City Council established the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Ocala and designated the City Council as the Agency pursuant to Section 163.357, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the West Ocala Redevelopment Subarea is the portion of the community redevelopment area designated as part of the community redevelopment area pursuant to Resolution 2016-10 adopted November 17, 2015; and
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2024, the Community Redevelopment Agency Board established the CRA Affordable Housing Program and allocated funds for program implementation in the West Ocala, East Ocala, and North Magnolia CRA subareas; and
WHEREAS, the CRA Affordable Housing Program is being implemented by the Growth Management Department and Community Services Department to provide housing assistance to low-income households; and
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2024, the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget was adopted by the Community Redevelopment Agency Board and Ocala City Council.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, duly assembled in regular session, that the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget be amended to appropriate $50,000 to carry out activities as outlined below.
SOURCE:
623-099-999-559-81-99999 Reserve for Fund Balance ($50,000)
USE:
623-016-560-559-55-82010 Aids to Private Organizations $50,000
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2025.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Kristen M. Dreyer
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney
Reviewed for accounting accuracy & completeness:
By: _________________________________
Peter A. Lee
City Manager