Subject:
Title
Resolution making a finding that conditions of blight exist within the Central Tarpon Springs study area, establishing the Community Redevelopment Area boundary, authorizing the preparation of the Central Tarpon Springs Redevelopment Plan, and delegating redevelopment authority to the City of Tarpon Springs.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of a resolution making a Finding of Necessity that blighted conditions exist within the Central Tarpon Springs Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) to accomplish the following:
• Establish the CRA boundary.
• Delegate certain power and authority to the City of Tarpon Springs to conduct certain redevelopment activities.
• Authorize the City of Tarpon Springs to proceed with the preparation of the Central Tarpon Springs Redevelopment Plan.
• Following approval of this action the City will create and adopt the new CRA plan, which the Board will review, including a trust fund for any Tax Increment Finance (TIF) contributions.
• The proposed CRA would be subject to the 2021 County CRA Policy, which has a defined scoring methodology using measurable factors to determine its local designation and potential level of County TIF contributions. The scoring would be completed prior to bringing the CRA Plan to the Board. All CRAs approved for County TIF receive a base contribution of at least 50 percent, with the potential for higher contributions as determined and approved by the Board based on commitments to funding projects that help achieve County priorities.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.2 Maintain and enhance county infrastructure
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.2 Enhance community safety
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.1 Increase the availability of attainable housing
3.3 Increase workforce opportunities
3.5 Foster business growth
Summary:
Summary
Tarpon Springs is requesting that the Board of County Commissioners (Board):
1) Find that conditions of blight exist within the Central Tarpon Springs study area;
2) Establish the Central Tarpon Springs CRA boundary; and
3) Provide authorization to the City of Tarpon Springs to proceed with preparation of the Central Tarpon Springs Redevelopment Plan.
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Background Information:
Local governments looking to address blighted conditions can create CRAs as guided by the Community Redevelopment Act of 1969, Chapter 163, Part III Florida Statutes to establish community redevelopment agencies to improve slum and blighted areas and defined areas where certain conditions exist, and to provide financing and regulatory processes to undertake the complex task of overcoming conditions that contribute to the causes of slum and blight.
As a home rule county, the County through the Board has the authority to approve the establishment of local CRAs, redevelopment trust funds and CRA Redevelopment Plans within Pinellas County. Prior to the creation of Redevelopment Plans, the Board must recognize that blighted conditions exist (as outlined in a Finding of Necessity) and grant Delegation of Authority to the local government to create a redevelopment plan.
The proposed Central Tarpon Springs CRA study area boundary covers approximately 767 acres within the central portion of the City of Tarpon Springs (the city). The study area is adjacent to the existing Downtown Tarpon Springs CRA to the west and extends to the east to capture potential redevelopment areas along US 19.
The Findings of Necessity (FoN) study, completed by the City in May 2024, depicts nine (9) of the 15 potential blight factors as described in state statute 163.340(8) and meets the required minimum of two (2) factors required for the creation of a CRA, as per §163.355. These nine (9) blights factors include: inadequate transportation facilities; faulty lot layout; unsanitary or unsafe conditions; site deterioration; crime rates; fire and EMS call rates; code violations; diversity of ownership and title issues; and governmentally owned property with adverse environmental conditions.
On June 18, 2024, the Tarpon Springs City Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 15-2024 which approved the FoN for the proposed Central Tarpon Springs CRA and directed City staff to request that the Board delegate authority and powers conferred upon the County through §163.410 to the City for the Central Tarpon Springs CRA.
Upon granting of delegation of authority, the City would then prepare a redevelopment plan for review and approval by the City Commission and then the Board. To create a funding source for future CRA activities, the utilization of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) would be considered concurrently (comprising both a City and County contribution).
In August 2021, the Board adopted a CRA Policy that outlines a scoring methodology for determining an annual TIF percent contribution by the County, along with guidance for eligible expenditures that align with County priorities. While the City has already provided scoring based on their findings, the County will perform its own scoring after the CRA Plan is created, which would include redevelopment projects and TIF projections.
This current action before the Board for Delegation of Authority, does not commit the County to a financial contribution to the CRA.
Fiscal Impact:
It is anticipated that a Redevelopment Trust Fund will be established and funded with TIF revenues. The County’s contribution to the Trust Fund will be determined in accordance with the 2021 CRA Policy, and review of the completed CRA Plan and associated TIF projections by the City. It is anticipated these would be brought forward for consideration in late 2025. Funding for this potential CRA and the resulting TIF payment is not included in the FY25 Adopted Budget and will be included in the FY26 Budget if approved.
Staff Member Responsible:
Glenn Bailey, Interim Director, Housing and Community Development
Partners:
City of Tarpon Springs
Attachments:
BCC Proposed Resolution
Exhibit A: Proposed CRA boundary area
Exhibit B: Central Tarpon Springs CRA Finding of Necessity
City of Tarpon Springs Resolution 24-15
Letter from City Planning Director requesting delegation of authority
Staff presentation
Legal Ad
OMB Review
OMB TIF Estimate
2021 Pinellas County CRA Policy