Post-CRA Fiscal Modernization

The problem

With the CRA era ending, the city inherits a complicated financial picture — cash, debt, contracts, grants, capital commitments, claims, and workforce obligations. Modernizing finances without first knowing exactly what's on the books is how cities get burned.

The plan

Fiscal modernization is audit-first: during the transition, the city builds an inheritance-audit data model covering cash, debt, contracts, grants, capital, claims, and workforce obligations — so the new administration knows exactly what it's holding.

Only after the audit picture is clear does the city modernize its fiscal systems, with Finance and Treasury leading under independent audit oversight.

How you’ll know it’s working

• Inheritance-audit data model completed
• Independent audit design with protected access
• Modernization sequenced after audit findings

From the Blueprint

• Under-Utilization Fees trigger when a parcel sits below 50% of its Form-Based Code density potential for 18 consecutive months.
• The fee runs 1–5% of assessed land value, escalating the longer land sits underdeveloped; Year 1 targets 50–75 parcels.
• Fee revenue splits 60% to infrastructure and 40% to a modular housing reserve; appeals are limited to documented construction activity.
• Local Multiplier Credits give Bronze/Silver/Gold fee offsets (15%/30%/40%) for verified local labor and procurement, with SBE/MBE weighted 1.5x.
• The credit system must be structured as a universal fee with voluntary offsets — never a set-aside — per Florida procurement law.
• Community Performance Bonds require developers on large projects to post 15–25% of project cost before permits are issued.
• Bond releases tie to verified milestones: foundation, vertical completion, and certificate of occupancy.
• On trigger (halt of 12+ months or insolvency), 70% of bond proceeds convert to modular workforce housing on pre-identified infill sites.

Recreate CRA-style geographic earmarking and predictable recurring revenue.