Commissioner Wheeler entered the meeting at 9:34am
Commissioner Alford entered the meeting at 9:42am
Communications Director Mark Sexton and Assistant County Manager Tommy Crosby presented the above item to the Board.
The City’s new proposal would add up to 20-Years to the County’s Funding of City of Gainesville CRA/GCRA efforts. From 49 years up to 69 years.
What the City of Gainesville is Proposing:
- Some sort of Joint Governance – the makeup is unclear in the Power Point
- County contribution is unclear
- $75 million under the current formula
- Greatly Expand the current boundaries – financial impact unknown.
- Countywide ballot and referendum to bond Countywide and Citywide property tax for GCRA projects only
Administration Cost Concerns:
- Consultants - Waldo and 8th
- 10 Staff members
- Director
- Two Managers
- 6 Project Managers
- Staff Specialist
- Approx. Admin costs
- Annual Salary- $900K
- 10-Year - $9 million (COLAs & raises not withstanding)
- With benefits (approx. 30%) $11.7 million
Proposed Expansion of GCRA Boundary:
- Gainesville Regional Airport, NE Waldo Road and NE 39th Avenue
- South Main Street and SE 4th Street
- North Main Street and NW 6th Street Corridor
- Corner of SE Hawthorne Road and SE 8thAvenue
Economic Headwinds:
- Signs of economic slowdown, potential recession
- Federal funding uncertainty
- State funding uncertainty
- Governor's property tax ballot initiative
- Florida legislature may reduce local revenues
- Infrastructure cost demands & inflation
Expensive County Priorities:
- Ambulance & Fire Rescue Services
- Sheriff & jail operations, court services, judiciary
- Social services, housing, health
- Infrastructure: Transportation and Facilities
Staff Recommendation:
- Let the GCRA Sunset
- Reinvest reclaimed revenue in County and City priorities
- Consider future projects and partnerships on a case-by-case basis
Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Prizzia, Assistant County Manager Tommy Crosby, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Wheeler, Commissioner Alford, Chair Chestnut, and County Manager Lieberman presented comments.
Public Comment
Chair Chestnut recognized Khali Blount, Cynthia Curry City Manager of Gainesville, Greg Bradley, a citizen, Chelsea, Jason Mitchell, Robert Manns, Jamie Smith, City Commissioner Ed Book, City Commissioner Cynthia Moore-Chestnut, and City Commissioner Bryan Eastman presented comments.
Commissioner Prizzia, Commissioner Cornell, Commissioner Wheeler, and County Manager Lieberman all presented comments.
Commissioner Prizzia exits the meeting at 10:16am
Commissioner Prizzia returns to the meeting at 10:20am
Commissioner Cornell exits the meeting at 11:27am
Commissioner Cornell returns to the meeting at 11:30am