Page 31 - Boca ViewPointe - November '23

November 2023 Viewpointe, Page 31
From The Desk Of County Commissioner

Marci Woodward: A Message From Marci

Commissioner Woodward, Second, our budget dollar amount increases with There is so much more to our budget, but these three
a 20-year resident of Boca allocations, appropriations, and grants from state and lessons stood out as foundational to understanding how
Raton, was elected in federal programs. This money is taxpayer money but not the cake is baked!
November 2022 as Palm taxed by us, the county. It is a win for us to get some of District 4 Improvements. The Clint Moore and Jog
Beach County District 4 that money back for deserving projects, and we must add Road intersection is now open after a major improvement
Commissioner. She serves it to our budget. project that added two new lanes and other safety features.
on the following board of For example, we received $113 million in grants The project was funded by impact fees, a one-time fee for
directors as a representative for cells 12 and 13 at the C-51 Reservoir Phase II from new development to help pay for the infrastructure needed
of the county commission: the state. This is a huge win for the county, and we are to support the area.
Palm Beach Transportation thankful for it. However, it goes into our budget and thus Over the next few years, nearly $18 million will be
Planning Agency; South increases the dollar amount. spent on major road projects in my south county district.
Florida Regional We also serve as a “pass-through” for funding from So expect to see road crews out and about!
Transportation Authority (TriRail); Treasure Coast Regional the state or federal governments for some of our smaller What’s Coming Near PBI. PopStroke, the innovative
Planning Council; CareerSource Palm Beach County; Palm municipalities and organizations that use us to administer mini golf and entertainment concept, is coming to Palm
Beach Cultural Council, and Value Adjustment Board. the funds. This helps bridge the gap between larger Beach International Airport (PBI).
Woodward graduated from the University of South Carolina- government entities and smaller groups within our county. The state-of-the-art, two-story, open-air venue will
Aiken with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. All of these items increase our overall budget. feature two 18-hole mini golf courses, a full-service
Lastly, 43 percent of our budget, or $3.3 billion, is restaurant, a playground, an ice cream parlor, convenient
Happy fall. We have had a busy month, and I just from carryover funds from the previous year. Much of storage lockers for luggage and a complimentary shuttle
completed my first budget cycle. I voted on budget priorities this is reserves, which include capital project reserves. service to and from the airport. The flagship location will
the day I was sworn in on Nov. 22 a year ago and have Why does this money carry over? Some of it is because also offer a private events area and a rooftop pool with
spent the past months learning everything I could about our many of our projects take multiple years to complete, a bar. It is the perfect place to relax and have fun with
budget. I have had many “light bulb” moments in that time. especially larger building or road projects, and the money friends and family before or after your flight. PopStroke
While I am far from becoming a budgeting expert, I want is only transferred to pay in phases of completion. Some is expected to open in late 2024.
to share a few unexpected gems illuminating the process funds accumulate over time to an amount necessary to Remember to check out the cell phone waiting lot at
for me. begin the project. the Travel Plaza (southwest corner of Belvedere Road and
First, I learned that only 24 percent of this year’s budget, For a personalized example, I can apply for a grant Florida Mango) where you can get your car washed, fill
or $1.8 billion, comes from property taxes. This money that helps homeowners pay for major home renovations up the tank and grab a coffee until your loved ones arrive!
goes into our general fund. The importance of this gem is because I need a new roof. I receive a $50,000 grant to Nonprofit Spotlight. Promise Fund of Florida is a
in understanding fund accounting. Much of our budget is be allocated at equal payments over five years ($10,000 compassionate local nonprofit dedicated to extending
tied to specific funds. This has to do with how we receive a year). I can save the payments over several years until vital financial and emotional support to uninsured or
it and how it must be spent. I accumulate enough to pay for the new roof, or I can underinsured women in Palm Beach County with breast
For example, money from Road Impact Fees from new pay for the replacement out-of-pocket with either savings cancer diagnoses.
developments can only be spent on constructing new lanes, (reserves) or take out a loan (bond) and pay myself back The organization’s mission is to ensure that all women
additional roadways or intersection improvements as needed as the yearly installments come in. in our area have access to the quality breast cancer care
because of additional traffic caused by the development. It I also have the option to spend any excess money on they need through financial assistance, group counseling,
cannot be used for resurfacing or maintenance of existing other home improvements, but I cannot use it to buy a healthcare navigation and more. In 2022, Promise Fund
roads. This may seem overly cumbersome; roads are roads, car, take a vacation, or anything else that is not a home made a profound impact by assisting over 500 women.
right? However, much of the regulation tied to how funds improvement. This is a very simplified version of fund Local Government 101: Sunshine Law
are spent has to do with how and why they are collected. accounting and carryover funds. What is the Sunshine Law? Florida’s Sunshine Law
guarantees the public’s right to attend and participate in
meetings of government boards and commissions. The law
applies to all levels of government in Florida, from the
state legislature to local city councils and school boards.
One aspect includes that all meetings of government
boards and commissions be open to the public, with
limited exceptions.
Additionally, it requires that all notices of meetings
and agendas be published in advance, including where
meetings are being held and what topics will be discussed.
How does the Sunshine Law apply to the Board of
Palm Beach County Commissioners? The Palm Beach
County Board of County Commissioners (Board) is
subject to the Sunshine Law. All meetings of the Board
must be open to the public, and notices of meetings and
agendas are required to be published in advance.
The law also applies to any gatherings of two or more
members of the Board to discuss matters that will likely
come before them at a Board of County Commissioners
meeting. If the Board is not officially in session, any
meeting of two or more members to discuss upcoming
issues is subject to the Sunshine Law and must be open
to the public.
Why is the Sunshine Law important? When
government meetings are open to the public, citizens can
witness and participate in the decision-making process.
This helps ensure that government decisions are made in
the public’s best interests.
If you require assistance, please contact our office at
(561) 355-2204 or email Mwoodward@pbcgov.org. 

Are You Watching

Your Speed?

Please obey all posted speed limit
signs throughout Boca Pointe for the
safety of our residents. As a reminder,
the speed limits are as follows:
Boca Pointe Drive 30mph
Via de Sonrisa del Norte 25mph
Promenade Drive 20mph
SPEEDING FINES ARE
BEING ENFORCED!! 