2nd Annual One Hallandale Family Fun Field Day, What Will Become Of Our CRA

Thank you to Memorial HealthCare System’s One City At A Time for being our Presenting Sponsors. To our other sponsors the City of Hallandale Beach, Hallandale Beach Police Department, BSO Fire Hallandale Beach, Mayor Joy Cooper, United Way Family Stability Program, WellCare, The Fenstersheib Law Group, Walmart, Amsterdam, YMCA, Smatt’s Tennis Academy, Sloane Stephens Foundation, West Express Ladies Flag Football, Walgreens, Chick-fil-A Aventura, Capital Consultation, Fancy Impressions And Vontaii!

Also thank you to the many vendors, you can find at: www.mayorjoycooper.com that provided valuable information on health services and family services. A special Thank you to Tycoon Fun Foods that gave out free ice cream and the PAL Cheerleaders that offered snacks to support their Championship squad.

BSO held its very first showing of the brand new State-Of-The-Art Rescue helicopter that held an urban training landing right on OB Johnson Park. This was the first helicopter dedicated to, passed BSO Battalion Chief Terryson Jackson that died in the tragic crash. Attendees of all ages had a chance to speak with their pilots and see firsthand the amazing technology. In addition to the Helicopter, attendees had a chance to check out high Water Rescue Vehicle Emergency Transport and Fire Apparatus.

Our Police Department came out and held a flag football tournament against the PAL Coaches. The Hallandale Beach Police Department was victorious. They then competed against the West Express Ladies Flag Football athletes. West Express had a triumphant victory over our Hallandale Beach Police Department. Led by Coach Antwon Chaney who has coached and mentored over 60 plus players who have earned scholarships to play in college, maybe we will even see some in the 2028 Olympics. One of his players is Teriyah McFadden, she is the first girl to sign an NIL deal as a junior in high school. An outstanding student athlete who we had the honor to present a Key to The City. These young players really have major skills. Sorry PD! May I say rematch next year?

I even joined in the fun by allowing attendees to “Dunk the Mayor.” It was so cute seeing the kids having fun. A few adults had fun too. My first dunk, two young children ran up and asked if I was ok. Too cute!!

Thank you to the Parks Department, Building Department, Rotary Club and especially Jonathan Carrillo and Ms. Eve Paul, We are ONE Hallandale!

I do want to give a brief update to residents on our CRA which will be a longer on-going issue over the next months. The commission held a special meeting to discuss the future of our CRA. The two-hour meeting allowed us to review a few scenarios when it comes to the future of our CRA. In two years, we must decide whether to extend the CRA, reduce the boundaries or fully sunset.

I asked staff to put together the scenarios and the State began to push to preempt all CRA from continuing. The Legislators are pushing to sunset all CRAs. They want all plans and funds to be earmarked with plans in place and executed by October or lose the funding. This is not the first time the state has gone after CRAs so the law may or may not pass.

Even with this caveat we do have our work cut out due to the fact even if we decided to keep the CRA we will no longer have the benefit of tax dollars from the County nor the Special Districts that include Children Services Council and the Hospital District. The amount of money in an extended CRA would only include the city tax contribution which is $15 Million annual. The one major difference in a CRA is that the Property Tax Revenue must be spent within the district and must be part of an adopted improvement plan.

City powers provide a board ability to do the very same thing as CRA. The major difference is the funding is at the sole discretion of the commission at the time. The majority of our Commission supports the work of the CRA especially the Neighborhood Improvement Programs, Hurricane Shutter Program, Home Improvement Assistance, Senior Programs and Affordable Housing.

At this meeting it was agreed that staff would evaluate the cost of ensuring CRA staff would be retained and they were to begin to evaluate the program's cost as part of the city budget. We also will be keenly focused on ensuring all the Current Tax Increment Funding received is allocated and stays within our CRA without having to return our tax dollars to the county.

The process will be ongoing, and everyone’s input is vital. I for one want to hear about what program residents want and need.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share!