TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Leon County Commissioners are moving forward with a proposal to change the county's involvement with the Community Redevelopment Agency.
The moves would save the county millions of dollars.
For six of the seven Leon County Commissioners, it's time to say goodbye to the Downtown CRA District at least in terms of funding any more projects.
The commission voted to phase out financial support for that district by fiscal year 2024.
Aside from objections by Commissioner Kristin Dozier, there wasn't much discussion about the county's plans.
The proposed restructuring would shift the county's focus to the Frenchtown-Southside District.
Commissioners also want the property tax rate in that district to be same as the city's.
The recommendations, if approved, would save the county $23 million overall.
The county administrator said the commission was ready to make changes that collectively made more sense.
"It was really one of taking a look at the downtown cra and evaluating if it had lived its useful life, if it had done everything that it was intended to do, relative to spurring private sector investment in the downtown area," said Leon County Administrator Vince Long. "I think the board was of the opinion that it had done its job. Is there more that it could do? Maybe, but these are the financial considerations that we have to make."
The county's decision has been more than a year in the making following an idea from the 2016 board retreat.
The City Commission will look at the proposal Wednesday, and if it's approved there, it goes to the CRA for a final vote.
The county plans to use some of the money from the proposed savings to help make up for expected losses if voters approve a homestead exemption this year.
