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It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to budgets.

And as projected estimates go, the Bayshore/Gateway Triangle Redevelopment Agency’s preliminary 2008-09 budget is definitely erring on the side of caution.

“It’s better to be conservative, than too liberal with budgets,” said the redevelopment agency’s Executive Director David Jackson.

On Tuesday, the agency’s advisory board unanimously approved the redevelopment group’s preliminary $5.49 million budget for fiscal year 2008-09.

About $3.2 million is being carried over from the agency’s 2007-08 budget.

The remaining $2.28 million is expected to come from tax increment financing dollars, also known as TIF funds, that the redevelopment area gets through a special taxing district.

However, it’s $11,200 less than the agency received in 2007-08.

The redevelopment agency also budgeted a total of $398,400 for personnel services, and $320,000 for grants/aid.

With the Legislature’s approval of a very lean $66.2 billion budget and additional belt tightening steps being taken by Collier County officials to comply with state mandates, Jackson said, the budget numbers for the redevelopment agency won’t be final until June 1 when the Collier Property Appraisers Office submits its numbers to the county.

“If we get more, we’ll be happy,” Jackson said. “If we get less, we’ll tighten the belt to make it work.

The redevelopment agency’s proposed budget will head to Collier’s finance department, before going to the Board of County Commissioners in mid-June as part of Collier’s budget workshops.

“I think that it will be approved,” said advisory board chairman Lindsey Thomas, on Tuesday, adding that the agency has been very prudent with its spending.

In other action, the Advisory Board unanimously voted to welcome back former chairman Bill Neal to the board.

The 7-0 vote came after a good round of “serious” discussion of Neal’s qualifications.

“We thought we got rid of you,” said board member Stephen Main, which garnered laughs.

Neal, 76, served on the board for two two-year non-consecutive terms and retired from the board last year. He was one of two candidates who applied for the at-large seat being vacated by William Mears on May 22, but the other candidate withdrew his application.

After the meeting, Neal said he was glad to be back.

“I felt that I still could make a positive contribution,” he said.

For more information about the Bayshore/ Gateway Triangle CRA visit www.colliercra.com or call 643-1115.