LYNN HAVEN — Commissioners agreed to a $50,000 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) residential incentive program and to have interviews for a city manager by the end of March during Tuesday’s meeting.
Five prospects remain to fill the vacant city manager’s position. Acting City Manager Bobby Baker expected background checks on the applicants this week, and commissioners also scheduled a public workshop for Thursday at 8 a.m. in City Hall, 825 Ohio Ave. to determine an interview format.
Only one applicant, Drew DeCandis of Jacksonville, has withdrawn from the running. The remaining candidates — Christopher Brooks, Jacquelin Crum, Ted Lakey, Joel Schubert and William Whitson — will undergo background checks before coming back to commissioners for interviews on Feb. 22.
Mayor Walter Kelley said candidates proficient in handling stormwater issues and discussing other complex issues with the public would excel in the interviews.
“We want them to be able to communicate with this community,” Kelley said. “He has a tough job but he has to be able to communicate with the people.”
Residential incentive program
About 100 owners of vacant or partially vacant lots within the CRA boundaries can now apply for up to a $5,000 reimbursement to build new homes in Lynn Haven. Incentives would depend on the size of homes built.
CRA Director Ben Janke said he received five inquiries from property owners, home builders or people interested in buying vacant lots; and applications will be going out to all qualifying property owners.
The program would be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Houses with 1,500- to 1,799-square-feet of heated and cooled areas could be approved for a $2,500 grant and larger homes could receive a $5,000 grant if approved by commissioners.
Ohio Avenue road work
Kelley also encouraged drivers to use caution and be patient during the two to three weeks, depending on weather conditions, as construction crews remove abandoned railroad tracks crossing State 77 near Mowat School Road.
“Be calm,” Kelley said. “We do have a traffic problem, but it will be a great improvement once it is all said and done.”