The current term of the Community Redevelopment Plan adopted in 1998 is set to expire in 2028. 

CRAs created prior to July 1, 2002 are limited to 30 years, but can be granted 30-year extension for a total of 60 years.  However, the governor recently passed HB 9, which sets up a phase-out for all CRA’s in Florida by 2039, unless the CRA has bonds that extend past that date.   There is a provision in the bill that if the city wants to extend past 2039, they have to ratify the current CRA by a two-thirds vote by the governing body (i.e. the City Commission) to get out of this phase-out provision. 

Pursuant to Section 163.362 (F.S), it allows extension for a time certain no later than 30 years from the date of the amended plan and would be effective next fiscal year.   The amended Stuart CRA Plan will be adopted by the CRA Board in August 2019, which would be effective FY 2020 so the new sunset date will be FY 2050 if a 30-year extension is granted by the City Commission. 

The proposed term extension of the Community Redevelopment Plan would allow the CRA to pursue the improvements identified in the plan and give attention to other areas within the Community Redevelopment Area as determined by the CRB and CRA Boards through the adoption of an updated Community Redevelopment Plan.

Staff will bring forward the proposed extension for the CRA term for adoption by the City Commission in September.  This item has been properly noticed in the newspaper and a certified letter was mailed to all the taxing authorities.

On August 6, 2019, the Community Redevelopment Board recommended approval to extend the CRA term for an additional 30 years.