[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6465932,"mediaKeyId","5836968-9e002edb343475b2c8d2583de597f3cc","parentId",5836968,"title","Residents question Brightline‑centered downtown plans, ask for spending transparency; officials stress safety education and long‑term planning","audioSeconds",1573,"startMs",200000,"endMs",1773000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836968-9e002edb343475b2c8d2583de597f3cc&start=200&end=1773","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836968-9e002edb343475b2c8d2583de597f3cc/thumbnail_200000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6465932/Boca-Raton/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Residents-question-Brightlinecentered-downtown-plans-ask-for-spending-transparency-officials-stress-safety-education-and-longterm-planning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465932-b1176e4c1a4215ddafd1850eaaf08822/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497770&Signature=JqhSDVxJNU1g77XzOlojOSjtz4Bz5C~IxYXnDF5fhtlBiTp2qIlCy5k69eQMsqZiGPiuYyGaf-hSD11VKWOLGOLhIwtyUnL-BDD-RnogzdWtll2QEG~x12Rq~r29RiIPeQ0fHIo~4X~ikFFmqkr3~TOP4vIKpRUjYO3549xXO~JyKYwUfNHiQSy-aFsTMqiuSQ2af6~8v6okJ0K9X~WM9A7o93Pvve2~pAUw1wuUTlTyC7b1mX-Vzk-oL6VSNTGpiWqa3bLzaHUIE6BvOlcerzZ26vROCnWeYdsgmqP5mRjKchMk6nF39XqEAE1t32eq4ITpEkuU2kUeMhn2rMMQcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boca Raton","date","2025-09-22T10:00:00Z","article","At the Sept. 22 meeting of the Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency, multiple residents urged the agency to reconsider plans that center downtown redevelopment around Brightline and asked for more detailed accounting of reserved capital funds.

John Perlman, founder of Save Boca, told the Agency he was concerned the city was planning a transit‑oriented development around Brightline even though, he said, the rail operator faces financial instability and safety issues. “They just missed a bond payment on $1,200,000,000 worth of bonds on July 15,” Perlman said, citing coverage he said was in WLRN. He added that a Miami Herald investigation found many people have been struck by Brightline trains and that Brightline “might not be in business in a couple years.”

Perlman also said the CRA’s capital-outlay and redevelopment-appropriation lines in the budget lacked detail. “In here, they’re saying, ‘Transit Oriented Community Redevelopment Downtown’ — that’s $80,000,000. Not one line item,” he said, and said he had filed a public-records request for a line‑by‑line breakdown.

Barbara Powers, a downtown resident, urged the agency to preserve public parkland and oppose private development on publicly owned parkland. “Reducing our Living Memorial Parkland with private sector development goes against who we are,” she said, adding she supports renovating municipal facilities downtown but not public‑private deals that use public land for private profit.

Joseph (Joe) Graubart asked the CRA to hire staff with a downtown vision and suggested improvements to pedestrian connections and bus stops, saying the downtown should be more walkable and bikeable.

Agency members and staff responded. Mayor Singer said the CRA has been planning for a transit‑oriented district for years and that downtown investments — sidewalks, pipes, bike lanes, bus stops and parks — are intended to benefit the community, not only developers. “Our downtown and the neighborhoods we’re creating should be able to stand on their own irrespective of the fact if the train is stopping or not,” Singer said.

Commissioner Drucker and other members emphasized public safety around rail crossings and described ongoing outreach and safety campaigns, including partnerships and public service announcements, to reduce collisions and suicides on rail corridors. Ms. Nockel (remarks at the meeting) noted the city had invited Brightline to provide an update to the public.

Staff and commissioners also answered Perlman’s request for detailed line items by saying the budget process reserves funds for multiyear projects and that specific project expenditures and procurement details are provided when projects are ready to move forward.

The public comments occurred during the CRA’s public‑request and public‑hearing segments and did not change the Agency’s vote to adopt the budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boca Raton - C.R.A. Regular Meeting * Special Start Time","oneSentenceSummary","At the Sept. 22 CRA meeting, residents urged caution about centering downtown redevelopment on Brightline and asked for more detailed accounting of reserve funds; commissioners and staff said planned downtown investments serve community needs and that project‑level budgets will be provided when projects are ready.","taxTitle","Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",3932,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6465937,"Boca Raton CRA adopts $54 million FY 2025–26 budget, reserves funds for downtown projects",1404,774000,2178000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836968-9e002edb343475b2c8d2583de597f3cc&start=774&end=2178","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836968-9e002edb343475b2c8d2583de597f3cc/thumbnail_774000.jpg","/articles/6465937/Boca-Raton/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Boca-Raton-CRA-adopts-54-million-FY-202526-budget-reserves-funds-for-downtown-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465937-64d95b7952de1fbd3770e216af6dbd46/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497770&Signature=YaEaN07gXDG~UYRG0QItlCOITZ~MB~VpJEyGhyiEJrN3BWRgf2bkXkfPZfAKDloD-7HM9MTFvWLW39l4dbZSNjcDzmaHOOLFgVIYWxkyXstVlVY2kcpQUWV4R7M~wUXthUaAKaUoWqAGKkpTpEZRlCiwkfXgXRk~wUdjIk7B1YyxaL7utBHYV7SZgRwA8txNqz6qkkIKzwNXfzdx3mytIiyb7fVOGCHSqUaFyXNMDZF9zjaeuKbW1kkYR-0pI1houvmD13E1PDchK8l1AqwIS7RpF0ysgcfoO0fxCrXoD8OI6aE18lU4rGfiUSrkWCt6HTlh6cuc7RDvwhwVtWpuUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on Sept. 22 adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approving a $54 million operating plan and reserving multiyear capital funds for downtown redevelopment in a 5–0 vote.

The resolution formally adopting the CRA budget — identified in the meeting as Resolution 2025-08 (CRA) — passed unanimously. Chair Wictor called for the roll; the vote was 5–0 in favor.

The budget presentation, led by Stephen Timberlake of the Financial Services Department with Jim Zervos, the city's chief financial officer, described the CRA's revenue mix and planned projects. Timberlake said the CRA expects about $26.75 million in tax-increment revenue for 2025–26 and that the agency's operating budget for next year is about $54 million, with approximately $15 million held for additional projects. He also stated the CRA has a fund balance of roughly $39 million and is holding over $39.25 million across three multiyear projects.

Timberlake outlined planned capital and program investments for the coming fiscal year, including continued downtown walkability and roadway upgrades, transit-oriented community regulations, Meissner Park amphitheater roof work, support for the Brightline station, decorative streetlights, Sanborn Square hardscape and electrical upgrades to downtown parks. The CRA also plans to fund three new positions: a community customer-service representative, a police officer and a cultural and community programs administrator.

During questions, staff explained the city’s tax-increment financing structure: the CRA retains growth in property tax revenue above a frozen downtown base so long as funds are spent on redevelopment projects. Jim Zervos explained that unspent funds without a dedicated future purpose would be remitted back to the underlying taxing agencies — Palm Beach County, the City of Boca Raton and the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District — in proportion.

Commissioners emphasized that reserving funds in the budget does not mean immediate spending. As Timberlake and staff explained, the annual budget authorizes expenditures for the 12‑month period and projects that span multiple years will be brought forward for specific appropriation when ready.

A public hearing on the budget drew comments from residents asking for more line‑item transparency for planned capital spending. City staff and commissioners responded that the CRA had provided supporting materials and that further details would be presented in project‑level planning and procurement phases.

The Agency then voted to adopt Resolution 2025-08 (CRA budget), recorded as passing 5–0.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025-08 (CRA budget for FY 2025–26): Passed, 5–0.

","The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on Sept. 22 adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approving a $54 million operating plan, reserved capital carryovers and funding for downtown infrastructure and programs in a 5–0 vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents question Brightline‑centered downtown plans, ask for spending transparency; officials stress safety education and long‑term planning

Boca Raton CRA adopts $54 million FY 2025–26 budget, reserves funds for downtown projects