Page 14 - Boca Club News - September '22

Page 14, Boca Club News

Government

Mayor’s Update:

Boca Raton–Home of Real Solutions, Real Results

Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor do business, and highlighted several initiatives in that opportunity to expand the vision for this site by integrating
of Boca Raton. A South Florida goal. We all set a goal of making our city more sustainable these plans with refreshed retail and office near to the
native, attorney, mediator, and small by working on policies to ease the housing crunch. With Brightline station. Currently, we have some industrial uses
business owner, Scott and his wife land values high in Boca Raton, and little available land, across from the station site that might be more fitting in
Bella live in Broken Sound with their we recognize that a solution to the continued demand other locations. We recognize that, as a new gateway to
two young children. for homes for professionals and employees is a regional our city for professionals and visitors, this area has a lot
In my recent updates, you read effort. I’ve had discussions with mayors of nearby cities of potential.
about some of the key business on what we can do collaboratively to address this need, More Openings: Several exciting attractions are
initiatives that we are pursuing to which employers have cited as a key issue. We will work coming to Boca Raton. I mentioned the completion of the
continue to ensure a healthy economy, as well as ongoing on this regional problem with regional solutions. long-awaited Wildflower Park in our downtown–our 48th
enhancements to our infrastructure. This month’s update Increased availability of attainable housing in nearby park. The privately operated Boca Raton Ice and Fine Arts
has more about our city budget and low taxes, our strategic cities that can be built there more quickly and cost Center is due to open at the beginning of October, offering
planning, and news on exciting openings. effectively can provide employment opportunities for a wide range of recreational and cultural programming.
Budget and Low Taxes: September is the month when workers in Boca Raton with a variety of commuting We also have a bevy of restaurant openings planned,
the city adopts its budget. Unlike Washington, our budgets are options. For years, the Boca Raton Tri Rail station was with major investment by key brand. These include
always balanced, and we are maintaining healthy reserves. We the most popular on the route, in large part because our Red Pine, a Chinese concept, and Meat Market, a Palm
can be pleased about the ninth straight year with no property city operates a shuttle to key centers of employment for Beach steakhouse, both opening this fall. Looking ahead,
tax rate increase. In my eight years as Mayor and City Council professional, tech and other employees. Restaurant Row on Butts Road is due to arrive in early
Member, I am pleased to report that rate has only decreased Brightline: In August, we reached two more milestones 2023, with Pubbelly Sushi, Fiolina and El Camino. New
during my tenure. toward the opening of the Brightline station in Downtown York’s iconic steakhouse Gallagher’s, is also working on
With assessed property values rising an average of more Boca, as we marked the topping off of construction of the their Glades Road location for early next year.
than 12%, it means that residents who have the homestead station and the parking garage that will serve Brightline We will continue to work to keep taxes low, services
exemption (most of us) will be taxed at an increasingly lower riders, downtown visitors and library patrons. Brightline at an outstanding level, and bring new attractions for
rate compared to the rise in our property values. We work to has moved very quickly on construction since the residents and businesses. I’m running in the upcoming
preserve more of your hard-earned dollars while providing groundbreaking in January, and we remain on track for March 2023 mayoral election to help see more of these
outstanding services with one of the lowest tax rates of any an opening in late fall. goals to completion and keep working to raise and exceed
full-service city in Florida. This year’s budget includes some So many residents and businesses see Brightline as a expectations for what our great city can be. I’d love to hear
additional programming for the new Wildflower and Silver game-changer and recognize how vital it is for us to be your thoughts on what we can do together to reach our
Palm Parks, due to open fully in the coming month, as well connected to a major transportation network that will link goals. Please share your comments, by email at ssinger@
as planning to continue efforts to streamline our outdated land us to Miami and Orlando, and hopefully beyond. Check myboca.us, or on the web at singerforboca.com, and stay
development code. We will continue to invest in improvements out my Facebook.com page @ScottSingerUSA for a lot connected for more news @ScottSingerUSA on all social
in the Boca Raton Golf & Racquet Club, building on our more footage of the progress to date. media platforms.
upgrades since we received the donation of this 167-acre One of our strategies is to refresh our plans for an
championship course, court facilities and clubhouse. update of our downtown government master campus:
More Strategic Goals: In my July column, I discussed city hall, community center, other city offices and
our primary goal of making Boca Raton the best place to police station. Speaking again of Brightline, we have an

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