SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a three-year Interlocal Agreement between the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency and the Clearwater Police Department to provide CRA increment funding to underwrite the cost of additional Community Policing services in the Downtown CRA boundaries and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Body
SUMMARY:
Since 2008, the CRA has partnered with the Clearwater Police Department to provide enhanced community policing within the Downtown Community Redevelopment Area. For the 2025–2026 fiscal year, funding in the amount of $262,289.17 has been allocated. Funding for the remaining two years of the contract will be adjusted accordingly. This partnership has supported two additional police officers dedicated to addressing quality-of-life issues, including illegal narcotics activity, prostitution, homelessness, and code enforcement challenges.
Florida Statute 163.387 allows for the payment of community policing innovations in the Community Redevelopment Areas.
Historically, this partnership has been approved through annual interlocal agreements. The proposed agreement establishes a three-year term (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2028), streamlining the process and providing greater consistency.
The three-year agreement includes the following key provisions:
- Funding of two (2) dedicated police officers, including salaries, benefits, and associated fuel costs.
- A defined community policing strategy targeting drug activity, prostitution, homelessness, code enforcement, and community engagement.
- Outcome measures including proactive operations, arrests/citations where applicable, property referrals to the Nuisance Abatement Board, and quarterly engagement with businesses and property owners.
- A co-responder model to connect individuals with homelessness, mental health, or addiction issues to appropriate services.
Benefits of Moving from Annual to Three-Year Agreement:
- Consistency & Stability: Provides predictable funding and resources for a sustained community policing presence.
- Improved Planning: Supports long-term strategies for crime reduction, homelessness response, and community engagement.
- Flexibility: Agreement allows amendments if conditions or priorities change during the three-year term.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funding for this interlocal agreement will be from CRA project, R2001, Community Policing, funded by City increment revenue.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
1.4 Foster safe and healthy communities in Clearwater through first class public safety and emergency response services.
