Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/143399
Sarasota News Leader THE PRO FROM DELRAY July 12, 2013 Page 58 ing to siphon off CRA money for the city's general fund and keep the overall tax rate low. Chris Brown was blunt. "CRA's need to be around forever," he said. He ran Delray Brown says that is dangerous. "I would rather see an independent five- or seven-member Beach's CRA for almost that long. board," he added. "[A CRA] should be adminBrown then formed a company that special- istratively independent of its governing body, izes in community redevelopment agencies. like the city or county, in order to focus on its He and his team write the plans, do the legal purpose." research and administer CRAs in Pompano That purpose — once slum and blight have Beach and West Palm Beach. One problem been pushed back — is economic developwith Sarasota's CRA is its governing board, ment, he pointed out, not replenishing the he noted. Today the five Sarasota city commis- general fund. "You need public input and a sioners also act as the board of directors of new CRA plan and a five-year funding plan," the CRA. So when money is tight, it is tempt- said Brown. Part of the city of Bradenton has realized the economic development benefits of CRA funds. Photo by Ebyabe via Wikimedia Common