HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-District 5-FRA Messaging GuideSubmitted into the public
record for it m(s) :I . 71
on 2 City Clerk
Florida Redevelopment Association: Messaging Guide
In Response to Miami -Dade County Grand Jury Report
02112116
Issue Summary
The Miami -Dade County Grand Jury report ("CRAs: The Good, the Bad and the Questionable") filed Feb. 3,
2016, paints an inaccurate picture of how Florida's Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) operate and
what their mission and value are as versatile city revitalization engines. While the Grand Jury report asserts that
affordable housing should be a CRA's main role, the CRA's real purpose is to eradicate slum and blight in its
many forms through a comprehensive Redevelopment Plan that uniquely addresses a specific community's
needs and includes a strategic blend of redevelopment initiatives. While formulating and implementing
Community Redevelopment Plans, CRAs follow all open government policies for bidding, contracting and
reporting and file annual financial audits and project reports which are available on their public websites.
Key Points
• CRAs are created by local governments to respond to a community's unique, local needs and concerns.
• A "one -size -fits -all" Community Redevelopment Plan can not effectively provide solutions for Florida's
widely diverse communities; plans must be a sustainable, comprehensive, strategic blend of
redevelopment initiatives.
• Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes, provides adequate governance for Florida's CRAs while also
creating a much-needed grey area for communities — no two of which are the same — to be able to
address their own specific needs through community revitalization.
• A CRA's main purpose is not to create affordable housing, but rather to eradicate slum and blight in its
many forms through investment in public-private partnerships and leveraging of tax -increment
financing.
• By serving on a CRA board, elected officials provide accountability of public resources to tax payers
and can best represent a community's needs.
• CRAs are required to file four different reports/audits yearly which cover pertinent budgeting and
project information and must be publicly posted on the CRA's official website.
• The numerous parties involved with CRAs — including board members, employees, lobbyists,
contractors, vendors, etc. — must comply with Chapters 112, 287, 163 and any other provisions adopted
to Florida Statutes that govern open government policies.
• The Florida Redevelopment Association keeps a database on CRA case studies all around the state and
can provide information to interested parties regarding CRA legal practices, challenges and successes.
I U - 0 01135- S �bM'� �tM I UO f l C-� �- F C -PT WO VI 61; (�� buid't