The Jacksonville Beach Community Redevelopment Agency on Wednesday voted to defer consideration of Resolution 2025‑04, which would amend the downtown development plan to add a lifeguard/life‑saving station project, after board members raised legal questions about state statute and taxing‑authority approvals.

Board members said they wanted a clearer legal reading before the CRA moved ahead. "I personally don't feel comfortable doing this at this time until we get some clarification," CRA board member Gary Paytel said during discussion, citing prior instances in which legal guidance required changes to CRA actions. CRA staffer Taylor said the resolution would add the project to the CRA’s project chart and that the actual construction and funding details would come later.

The resolution would list the life‑saving station under the plan’s historic‑preservation objectives with an estimated budget of about $1 million. "This is not actually approving the nitty‑gritty of the project itself," Taylor said, describing the measure as the step to put the project on the CRA’s work plan rather than to authorize construction or contract awards.

Board members pressed staff on statutory limits. "Under the state statutes it says that we can't construct or expand administrative buildings for public bodies, police or fire buildings," a board member said, asking how the CRA could fund a structure that houses ocean rescue, which is part of city operations. Taylor said the city attorney would need to confirm applicable exemptions and procedures.

Several members proposed delaying action to secure legal review. One board member suggested engaging an outside attorney with CRA experience for a second opinion. Taylor noted the agenda and packet route includes review by the city attorney and other departments and said staff could defer the item if the board preferred.

Megan Edwards moved to defer the resolution to the June CRA meeting; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll call vote. Thad Mosley, Gary Paytel, Ron Whittington, Kevin Myers and Megan Edwards all voted in favor of deferral.

The CRA will revisit Resolution 2025‑04 at its June meeting, after staff or legal counsel provides the requested clarifications on state statutory constraints and the role of taxing authorities in approving projects that serve city operations.

The resolution and related plan pages will remain available to board members and the public while staff coordinates the additional legal review and outreach to taxing authorities.