Page 6 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - March '24

Page 6, Jupiter Ocean Mile
Commissioner’s Update

Beach Restoration Efforts In 22 miles of beach and dune restoration projects for the recovery is not possible. The Singer Island Emergency
benefit of tourists, residents and coastal property owners.
Dune Restoration is 50 percent complete, focusing on
Palm Beach County Dunes are accumulations of wind-blown sand abutting protecting county construction accesses and publicly
the beach. They are stabilized by salt tolerant native plants accessible beach areas. Coral Cove Emergency Dune
By Vice Mayor Maria Marino that have deeply-penetrating, extensive root systems. Restoration will immediately follow completion of Singer
Palm Beach County’s As the plants become buried, new roots develop on the Island and will focus on recovery of dune areas within
47-mile coastline is a recently buried stems while new stems emerge from the the county park and adjacent public access areas. Coastal
playground for millions of sand. Dunes help minimize erosion and protect coastal Resources Program staff are also working with local
residents and tourists each infrastructure from storm damage. Inlet Management District, municipal, state, and federal
year. Our beaches serve as Recently you may have observed shoreline erosion. partners to facilitate restoration of affected major beach
one of the best defenses Our beaches sustained moderate additional damage to nourishment projects areas where appropriate.
against wave damage a number of previously identified “hot spot” areas of The county’s dune restoration efforts are funded by a
caused by winter storms erosion through the end of 2023 as a result of repeated portion of Tourist Development Council bed taxes which
and hurricanes. However, strong frontal storm systems and their associated onshore are used as a local match for state and federal grant dollars
the constant erosion of our winds. Despite additional erosion to these localized areas, that are contingent on providing public access to the sandy
beaches is an undeniable we have observed natural recovery and sand accumulation beach area. The intent of our efforts are to maintain a
reality and maintaining the quality and sustainability of over the past month as conditions have begun to beach and dune system using public dollars on a regional
beaches is of the highest importance. normalize. These limited periods of recovery are more scale where historic development has impacted the natural
The Palm Beach County Department of Environmental typical to the county’s winter beach season and a number system’s ability to respond to erosion.
Resources Management, through its Shoreline of positive indicators, such as seaward accumulation of We hope and expect that recent observations of natural
Enhancement and Restoration Program, builds beach sand and significant nearshore sandbar formation, recovery will continue as conditions normalize and the
environmentally-sensitive, cost-effective projects to are good indicators that sand perceivably lost to erosion significant amount of sand within nearshore coastal waters
protect and restore the natural function of beaches in recent months is still present in the coastal system and finds its way back onto dry beach areas.
and dunes. The department encourages improved sand will continue to facilitate natural recovery. Your input on areas of concern is very helpful. As
management practices at inlets and promotes the removal The worst-hit dune-only county project areas have always, please contact me if I can be of assistance at (561)
of non-native vegetation from sand dunes. Since 1989, emergency construction contracts in place to facilitate 355-2201 or by email at MMarino@pbc.gov.
Palm Beach County has participated in or constructed over restoration of engineered dune systems where natural
Florida Prepaid College Plan Monthly Prices Reduced Up

To 25 Percent This Open Enrollment

• Prepaid plan monthly prices reduced up to 25 percent. allow families to lock in their plan price and make fixed more affordable plan prices. Florida Prepaid is the largest
• This is the lowest prepaid plan prices in 10 years, monthly payments. and longest-running prepaid program in the nation, and
starting at $34/month for a newborn. Families can use the prepaid plan online pricing tool to we hope that with the reduced prices even more Florida
• More than 280,000 current customers will have determine what the various plans cost based on a child’s age, families can start saving for their children’s future,” said
prepaid plan prices lowered by $1.3 billion. as well as explore the different payment options available. Executive Director Kevin Thompson. “For 35 years, we
• Florida Prepaid celebrates 35 years of helping Florida If a child attends an out-of-state college or private have stayed true to the mission of our founder, Stanley
families save for college. college, a prepaid plan will pay the same amount as it G. Tate, to provide Florida families with an affordable
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Florida would pay at a public college or university in Florida. means to save for their children’s higher education.”
Prepaid College Board, and today the Board announced Every prepaid plan is protected by the State of Florida, Eligible account owners will receive a notification
it is lowering prepaid plan monthly prices by up to 25 and a child has up to 10 years after high school graduation from the Board regarding their refund and/or payment
percent for this year’s open enrollment period, now to use a plan. reduction. For more information about how your plan
through April 30. “Florida families have been squeezed by housing and will be affected, go to myfloridaprepaid.com/lowprices.
Prepaid plan prices are now the lowest in 10 years, food costs over the past few years, and we are glad to To get started saving for college today, visit
starting at just $34/month for a one-year university plan be able to ease their budget concerns by providing even myfloridaprepaid.com. Open enrollment ends April 30.
for a newborn. The price reductions are primarily due to
successive years of lower than anticipated tuition and fee
increases for Florida colleges and state universities.
While Florida families continue to face inflation across
many areas of everyday life, the lower plan prices will
allow even more Florida families to prepare for the cost
of higher education for their children. The popular four-
year university plan now starts at less than $135/month,
and the two-year college plan is just $39/month. $ $ 489 Reg. 589 $ 250
$
In addition, current customers with plans purchased 39Usually 75 Up to 5 Ducts
$
since 2008 that have not yet started utilizing benefits, will serviCe Call with duCt Cleaning speCial uv light with any
also have a lower plan price. More than 280,000 existing any a/C repair includes free sanitizing new installation
( 750 value)
$
customers will have plan prices lowered by more than Call for serviCe Call for serviCe Call for serviCe
$1.3 billion. Nearly half of these customers now have 561-741-2825 561-741-2825 561-741-2825
their plan paid in full and will receive refunds totaling Not valid with any other discounts, Not valid with any other discounts, Not valid with any other discounts,
more than $350 million. The average refund per customer offers, or coupons. Limit 1 discount offers, or coupons. Limit 1 discount offers, or coupons. Limit 1 discount
is $2,600. per transaction. Expires: 4/12/24. per transaction. Expires: 4/12/24. per transaction. Expires: 4/12/24.
Any customers who have already submitted their prepaid
plan application between May 1, 2023 and Jan. 31, will
receive notice of their new prepaid plan price in February.
“Every day we strive to support Florida families by
making college savings simple and affordable,” said
Board Chairman John D. Rood. “This price reduction
reflects our commitment to that goal. We thank Gov. Ron
DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their continued
efforts to make a college education attainable for Florida
students during these past few years of economic How much will you
uncertainty and heightened inflation.”
Gov. DeSantis applauded the price reduction, which is
aligned with his administration’s goal of making sure a need to retire?
postsecondary education is affordable for Florida families.
Prepaid plans provide a simple, affordable way to save
for college tuition and fees and/or dormitory housing and Call to schedule a
one-on-one.

Sally S Stahl, AAMS™
Financial Advisor
1851 W Indiantown Rd Ste 106
Jupiter, FL 33458
561-748-7600
Sally.Stahl@edwardjones.com