On Feb. 18, 2025, the Marion County Community Redevelopment Agency unanimously approved submitting and advertising its Silver Springs Community Redevelopment Area annual report for fiscal year 2023–24, approved a budget amendment to shift funds into professional services for design work on Silver Springs Boulevard, and voted to transmit a preliminary FY2025–26 CRA budget to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.

The annual report — which staff said is required under Florida statutes for community redevelopment agencies — documents the CRAs activity for the prior fiscal year and will be placed on the Board of County Commissioners agenda for notation of filing. Growth Services Department staff member Chris Risen told the agency the report includes the CRAs community policing detail and two utility-connection grants for newly completed quadruplexes. Staff reported 2,589 hours of community policing service out of an expected 2,600 hours, and said that totaled about $168,000 for the year. The two utility-connection grants covered 50% of water and sewer impact fees for two new quadruplexes, at a combined cost of $17,610, staff said.

Agency members also approved a budget amendment to move money from general aid into professional services so the CRA can commission design and preliminary engineering for Silver Springs Boulevard pedestrian and center-median improvements and study perimeter landscaping. Risen said the procurement office will be used to select a professional firm from on‑system contractors.

For the preliminary FY2025–26 budget, staff estimated an annual tax increment of about $499,345 and proposed using available balances and expected interest to fund planned activities. Risen said the estimate will be finalized when the county receives final property value figures in June and again in August or October. The draft budget includes an additional $50,000 earmarked for professional services focused on the eastern portion of Silver Springs Boulevard; the agency also plans work on the western portion that staff previously funded.

Risen told commissioners the CRA is also discussing acquisition of an additional property; he said that possibility could prompt a future budget amendment depending on how negotiations proceed. A local property owner identified as the operator of "Miss Lynn's" attended the meeting and staff arranged to meet her after the session to address questions about her facility.

Votes at a glance: all votes below passed unanimously (Aye votes recorded for Chair Bridal, Vice Chairman Zalick, Commissioner Curry, Commissioner McLean and Commissioner Stone).

- Approval of meeting minutes from Oct. 15, 2024 — motion passed unanimously.
- Item 3.1: Approval to submit and advertise the Silver Springs CRA FY2023–24 annual report to the Board of County Commissioners — motion passed unanimously.
- Item 3.2: Budget amendment to shift funds into professional services for design work on Silver Springs Boulevard and related preliminary work — motion passed unanimously.
- Item 3.3: Approval to transmit the preliminary Silver Springs CRA FY2025–26 budget estimate to the Board of County Commissioners — motion passed unanimously.

Agency staff said final budget figures will be adjusted after county valuation updates in mid and late 2025; commissioners did not request further changes at the meeting and the board adjourned after completing the three items on the agenda.