Page 25 - Southern Exposure - November '23

Southern Exposure, Page 25

Section B

symphony news

Cathie Black And Tom Harvey Take Leadership Roles In

Palm Beach Symphony’s Pivotal Golden Anniversary Season

The Couple Named As 50th Anniversary Chairs And Gala Chairs

Cathie Black and Tom Harvey have graciously accepted amplify our ongoing
the roles of Palm Beach Symphony’s 50th Anniversary Chairs c om m i t m e nt t o
and Gala Chairs. The couple will closely collaborate with the delivering exceptional
Symphony’s Board and Development Committee to actively musical experiences.
shape and contribute to the orchestra’s strategic planning The wealth of insights
efforts during the 2023/24 Golden Anniversary Season. they bring will play
“As esteemed members of our board and valued a crucial role in
contributors to the Symphony Impresario Society, Cathie expanding our reach to
Black and Tom Harvey bring distinguished reputations, a broader audience and
dedication and passion to their new roles,” said Palm Beach securing the essential
Symphony CEO David McClymont. “Their remarkable resources needed
support for a diverse array of cultural initiatives and for this momentous
organizations stands as a testament to their unwavering season.”
commitment to the arts and philanthropy. Without a doubt, Cathie Black, violinist Joshua Bell and Tom Harvey. Photo A well-known media
their influence will leave an indelible mark during this credit IndieHouse Films executive in New York
pivotal year as we not only celebrate our history but, more City and a best-selling Tom Harvey and Cathie Black.
importantly, commit ourselves to ensuring the symphony’s Black joins Harvey as chairs of Palm Beach Symphony’s author, Black now Photo by Capehart Photography
continued impact on our community and orchestral music 50th Anniversary Gala taking place at the Kravis Center serves as an advisor,
well into the future.” on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. The evening will feature board member and
The 50th Anniversary features six concerts at the Kravis cocktails and a concert with acclaimed guest artist Emanuel investor in digital start-ups and entrepreneurial companies.
Center in which Maestro Gerard Schwarz will be joined by Ax featuring works by Mozart and Tchaikovsky as well as a She served for 15 years as president, and later chairman,
pianists Yefim Bronfman, Vladimir Feltsman, Emanuel Ax world premiere by Aaron Jay Kernis. The much-anticipated of Hearst Magazines, one of the world’s largest publishers
and Ignat Solzhenitsyn and violinists Akiko Suwanai and celebration culminates in a dinner dance and live auction. of monthly magazines, where she oversaw numerous titles
Pinchas Zukerman. Underscoring the symphony’s place “Our chairs will shape our Golden Anniversary Season, including Cosmopolitan, Food Network Magazine, Esquire,
as a leading American orchestra, it will present four world ensuring it becomes an unforgettable experience for Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar, O The Oprah
premieres of works it commissioned by Maestro Schwarz, our patrons, musicians and the entire community,” said Magazine, Town & Country and nearly 200 international
Pulitzer Prize-winners Ellen Taaffe Zwilich and Aaron Jay Palm Beach Symphony Board Chair James R. Borynack.
Kernis, and MacArthur Fellowship recipient Bright Sheng. “Their involvement and support as gala chairs will further Symphony News on page 26

Commissioner’s Update

Budgeting To Reduce Your Tax Burden

By Commissioner Maria Marino

Preparing a balanced taxes. Per Florida Statutes, the other funds on the balance issuers by rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s and
county budget takes more sheet include the general fund, special revenue funds Fitch. Reserves enable us to respond to emergencies and
than covering expenditures restricted or committed to a specific purpose, debt service unanticipated expenditures without chipping away at
with revenues. It requires a funds, capital projects, and internal services. services residents rely on.
focus on providing essential With a population of just over 1.5 million, nearly half Of the total gross budget of $7.9 billion, projected
services to our residents, of our residents live in the unincorporated area. total property tax revenue is $1.9 billion. Approximately
from garbage pickup and After 11 years with a millage rate of 4.7815, the 72 percent of the property tax revenue is for the general
disposal, to striping roads, commission last year approved a reduction to 4.715, the fund to provide the budget for the sheriff and other
to assisting low-income rate applied to each $1,000 of taxable property value. constitutional officers, judicial facilities and technology,
elderly folks keep their As new residents have continued to make Palm Beach county departments, capital projects, agency partners who
utilities on, to preserving County their home, tax revenue has increased at a rate assist the public, and to community development agencies
our beaches and natural of more than 13 percent over the past year. With more that reinvest in their infrastructure. The remaining 28
areas. We must use precision to create efficiencies and money coming into the county coffers, I proposed and percent pays for fire rescue, libraries and debt service.
eliminate any waste in our budget in the interest of achieved unanimous consent from the Board to approve Feedback from the District 1 communities has made it
lessening the tax burden on the property owners in this a further reduction in the millage rate this year to 4.50 clear that reducing the county tax rate is a trend we need
community and helping households make ends meet. mils, so that taxpayers can realize more savings. to follow.
Property taxes make up roughly 25 percent of the This reduction allows us to keep a hefty level of reserve Thank you all for your continued input and please
operating budget and public safety takes up the largest funds. The county’s conservative approach to keeping feel free to contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at
portion. Departments covering airports and water utilities significant reserves helps us maintain a AAA rating, mmarino@pbcgov.org.
are enterprise funds, not funded primarily by property which is the highest credit designation assigned to bond