Page 26 - Boca ViewPointe - January '24

Page 26, Viewpointe January 2024
Mayor’s Update: Heading Into 2024

Scott Singer is the 35th in years, as the game hosted a Power 5 school, the Syracuse federal government’s rating. We remain hard at work on a
Mayor of Boca Raton and University Orange, as they faced the University of South 15-year, $750 million infrastructure upgrade plan, all without
was re-elected without Florida Bulls in front of a primetime audience on ESPN. a millage-rate increase, a rare feat for a city of our size.
opposition for a final term. The city successfully held our 51st Annual Street Parade. We also marked the one-year anniversary of the Brightline
A South Florida native, While high winds and rains caused our city and four others high-speed rail station, which has outperformed expectations
attorney, mediator, and small to cancel this year’s boat parade it was a reminder that our and is prompting more investment by businesses and
business owner, Scott and hurricane season, thankfully, saw no major storms. upgrades for residents to our downtown.
his wife Bella live in Broken In 2021 Boca Raton was the first city in Florida to adopt What was your highlight of 2023? Please share your
Sound with their two young an enhanced building recertification ordinance in the wake thoughts at ssinger@myboca.com, and stay connected on
children. of the tragic building collapse in Surfside. In November the Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @scottsingerusa.
first recertification of an oceanfront condo under the new laws As the city approaches its 99th year we look forward to
As I write this message was completed, a small milestone on the path to ensuring the great things in 2024, and our centennial in 2025. My City
at the end of 2023, we can reflect on many successes in the safety of more than 300 buildings. Our swift action put us Council colleagues and I continue to be honored to serve the
past month, to go along with numerous achievements as a ahead of many other cities now governed by a state statute residents and work with a dedicated team of committed city
city during the year. Here are just a few. similar to our ordinance. employees. Thank you for the opportunity to keep serving
December saw a range of holiday and community events. Our finances remain strong, with our low tax rate and you, and we look forward to a prosperous new year for our
The 10th annual Boca Raton Bowl was our most attended AAA-bond rating, which is higher than the United States residents! 
Council Corner:

Happy New Year–Time To Look Back And Move Ahead

By Marc Wigder, staff looks at these issues on a daily and continuous basis and Fiolina Pasta House. Midtown is becoming its own
Boca Raton Council as our city responsibly plans its future. trendy neighborhood with more yet to come.
Member and CRA Chair In our downtown CRA district, Boca Raton’s holiday As you can see there is a lot happening in Boca and
festivals, parade, and events highlight what a wonderful a lot to see. So, make your Boca New Year’s resolution!
I am pleased to wish place our downtown is; truly what a wonderful place our Visit all the new restaurants and businesses that have
our Boca Raton neighbors whole city is, yet we know it is still evolving and there chosen to make Boca Raton their home, as well as those
a Happy New Year as remains more work to do. Our connection to Florida that have been here for a time and are staples in our
your Council member and Atlantic University continues to strengthen as their famed community, which indeed are too many to list. You can
downtown Community men’s basketball team pursues another historic season, find them on the web at myboca.us or in the downtown
Redevelopment Agency their growth in academic standing continues to reach new website DowntownBoca.Org; through the fantastic
chair. It has been an honor heights, and they hosted the eighth annual bowl game Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, and in your own
serving the people of Boca featured on ESPN! neighborhoods as they are everywhere! As always, we are
Raton over the past year working with Mayor Singer, my We are also fortunate to see, as Mayor Singer aptly always available and interested to hear your concerns and
Council colleagues and many talented and dedicated staff described, a renaissance of our midtown district with ideas to make Boca Raton even better than it already is.
members on important policy initiatives to keep Boca the openings of the Red Pine restaurant, the acclaimed Please contact me at mwigder@myboca.us or call at (561)
Raton moving forward every day. renovation of the Renaissance Hotel, the opening of the 334-9709. Do not forget to be alert for safety updates and
As we welcome 2024, we also welcome our “new” adjacent Meat Market restaurant and the even more recent important news, and have a happy, healthy, and safe new
City Manager, George Brown. And though he may be opening just before Christmas of the Restaurant Row year! 
our new city manager he is not new to our city! Brown complex anchored by the amazing designs in El Camino,
has been Deputy City Manager to Mr. Ahnell for 20-
plus years and has worked for the city for over 45 years.
His dedication to the people of Boca Raton has been
unwavering as it has been long, and we are excited for A BETTER RETIREMENT PLAN
his leadership and his new initiatives.
Likewise, we also congratulate outgoing City Manager REQUIRES A SHIFT IN THINKING
Leif Ahnell on his retirement and thank him for his more
than two decades of service to Boca Raton. Through
Ahnell’s fiscal management, Boca has grown organically Case Study # 1
and smartly, our tax rates have remained stable, and our Paying Off Debt to Free Up More Cash
municipal services are as you expect from a world-class
city. We wish him the best in his future endeavors. • Meet Robert
As we all witnessed, last Oct. 7 was a dark and sad day • Robert, age 77, wants to pay off his existing mortgage to free up more
for Israel, the United States, and the Jewish people with • cash flow to pay for aging at home services.
Home value: $610,000
the unprovoked terrorist attacks by Hamas. Our Mayor • Current Loan: $225,000 (8 Years Left) 4.0%
and Council continue to condemn these heinous acts, as • Monthly Payment: $2,300
well as all acts of antisemitism, bigotry, and hatred in all • With a reverse mortgage, Robert can pay off his mortgage saving him
its forms as we stand with the people of Israel. We pray Case Study # 2 $2300 per month and $27,600 annually!
for the remaining hostages to be returned safely – as we Replacing Lost Income
pray for peace. Likewise in our city, Boca’s dedicated
police force has worked tirelessly to keep our people, • Meet Carol
religious institutions, and schools safe throughout our • Carol, age 80, is a widow, who sought upfront cash to mitigate the costs of
her husband’s final care. She also needed to replace lost income.
city. We thank them for their continued service during • Lost Income: $800 (her Social Security income) + $450 (husband’s pension)
these challenging times. • Remaining income: $2,100 (husband’s social security income)
In addition to increased focus and funding on public • Home value: $650,000, free, and clear
safety, this budget year the Council approved important • With a reverse mortgage, Carol was able to replace her lost income by
policy priorities including: initiating the process to plan opting for tenure payments - and additional $2,114.81 per month in her
pocket!
and build a new government and community center
campus for City Hall, moving forward with a responsible Case Study # 3
Transit Oriented Re-Development zone to complement The Power Of Planning With a Line Of Credit
our investment in our new Brightline station, and working
to implement a downtown circulator with on-demand app • • Meet George and Barbara
George (75) and Barbara (68) were referred via a financial planner as they
technology to make it easier to get around downtown were seeking to establish a line of credit to hedge against longevity risk.
while reducing traffic. • Great monthly cash flow
Council, staff, our Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee • Assets depleting due to retirement income draws
and involved residents have also been working to improve • • Barbara was concerned about expenses and care for George as he ages.
Home value: $620,000, free, and clear
Boca’s walkability, pedestrianism and “bikeability” in • With a reverse mortgage, George and Barbara were able to achieve peace
our downtown and throughout the city. By expanding our of mind by establishing a $191,445.80 line of credit for future needs.
shared use trail network anchored by our unique El Rio
Trail - as well as other important connection points – we Reversing PA Mortgage, LLC
are on track to further elevate our city’s leading standing Michael J. Friedman, Broker/Owner “Call Today
as a bike-friendly community. Stay tuned for more on 215-901-6521 / 561-631-1701 No Obligation”
these exciting initiatives. info@reversingmtg.com
This material is not from HUD or
Additionally, working through the local impacts of www.reversingmtg.com FHA and has not been approved by
legislative mandates passed by Tallahassee to reduce Available Day, Evenings & Weekends HUD or a government agency.
NMLS# 1396947 NMLS# 131880
barriers for affordable housing throughout the state is an
important and current initiative that Council and staff are DISCLAIMER: The homeowner must meet all loan obligations including living in the property as the principal residence and paying property charges, including property taxes, fees, hazard
insurance. The homeowner must maintain the home, if the homeowner does not meet the loan obligations, then the loan will need to be repaid. License in PA #53672 and FL # MBR2252.
working to complete. Smart growth is sustainable growth Examples are for illustration purposes only. Numbers vary depending on the state you live in. Subject to change at anytime.
which does not overwhelm our services – and roads! Our