Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
The Mulberry CRA is focused on creating a sustainable community with an economic base that offers visitors and residents employment and services within a safe transportation network, provides for pedestrian-friendly connections and public spaces, and promotes a positive environment for the City of Mulberry. The CRA will establish a range of economic development programs to enhance these efforts in attracting business and developing a diverse economy. In partnership with private enterprise and other governmental entities, these redevelopment initiatives will reverse and remove the observed blighted area conditions within the Community Redevelopment Area by leveraging public assets to improve the overall economic and physical condition of the Mulberry CRA.
DATE ESTABLISHED: November 24, 2014
ESTABLISHING ENTITIES: City of Mulberry, Florida; and Polk County, Florida
OPERATES UNDER STATUTES: Florida Statutes Chapter 163 Part III, Community Redevelopment & Florida Statutes Chapter 189, Special Districts
Economic development incentives
Downtown business district upgrades
Infrastructure improvements
Improvements for pedestrian and vehicular safety
Improvements in public transportation opportunities
Community beautification and streetscape
Cultural environment attractions to draw visitors to Mulberry
Assistance to business and residence owners to improve property appearance
COLLINS SMITH, City Commissioner - Term: 4/2026
MARIA McCLINTOCK, City Commissioner - Term: 4/2025
ROBERT KNIGHT, City Commissioner - Term: 4/2025
NEIL DEVINE, City Commissioner - Term: 4/2026
ROSA AYERSMAN, City Commissioner - Term: 4/2026
GEORGE HATCH, appointed citizen member - Term: N/A - Appointing Authority: City of Mulberry
TOM MULVANEY, Citizen, 04/2025
The Mulberry Community Redevelopment Agency quarterly meetings are held at 5:00 P.M. (EST) in the City Commission Chambers of Mulberry City Hall, 104 South Church Avenue, Mulberry, FL 33860. The following are the scheduled meeting dates:
April 04, 2023 at 5:00pm
June 20, 2023, at 5:00 pm- Audit Presentation
July 18, 2023, at 5:00 pm
August 01, 2023, at 4:30 pm- Budget Presentation
August 15, 2023, at 5:00 pm- Budget Adoption
November 07, 2023 at 5:00 pm
November 7, 2014 – Polk County Commission Approves CRA
October 21, 2014 – Polk County Commission Workshop
September 17, 2014 – Unlike Other CRA’s – Mulberry’s Blight is Real
September 17, 2014 – Polk County Commission Puts Plans for CRA on Hold
September 16, 2014 – Minutes-PCBOCC-09-16-14-Agenda-Item-24
September 3, 2014 – Polk County Planning Commission
August 15, 2014 – Polk County Staff requests additional information – FON Additional Information
July 24, 2014 – City of Mulberry Public Meetings Held – CRA Workshop July 24 2014
July 1, 2014 – City passes Resolution-2014.4
May 2014 – Finding of Necessity “FON” Study – City of Mulberry FON Final
November 4, 2014 – Polk County BoCC Resolution 14-113 – Granting CRA authority to City of Mulberry
The City of Mulberry CRA derives its operating revenue from Tax Increment Financing (TIF), a dedicated source of property tax revenue derived from the general ad valorem property taxes assessed by the City of Mulberry and Polk County on properties located within the CRA area. Provision of this revenue to the CRA is in accordance with Florida Statute 163.387 “Redevelopment Trust Fund.” The amount of revenue is determined annually based on current property valuation and tax rates for City and County property taxes.
CRA-RES-2023-01 Final FY 2023 - 2024 CRA Budget
CRA-RES-2023-02 Factual Findings for 23.24 CRA Budget
City of Mulberry CRA Proposed Budget FY 2023-2024 with Notice
Tentative CRA Budget-FY2022-2023
CRA Adopted Budget-FY2021-2022
CRA Budget Amendment FY2020-2021
Financial Statements-FY Ended 09/30/2020
Resolution 2016.16 - CRA Budget 2016-17
Tentative Budget Hearing-CRA Budget, September 5, 2018