Page 23 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - February '24

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 23
Clerk Alert

Making Your Tax Dollars year? To put it simply, in my role as comptroller I lead county’s investment policy committee. That policy
a team of investment professionals who safeguard and
governs what type of investments our team can make
Work As Hard As You Do invest county tax dollars. Unlike many other counties, and provides guidelines related to risk management and
our finance team operates entirely in-house, which gives reporting requirements.
Palm Beach County’s us greater control and flexibility over our investments. In technical terms, the portfolio benefited from money
investment portfolio has Our investment team – which includes me, Treasurer invested in short, fixed income investments tied to rising
enjoyed record-setting Felicia Landerman, Investment Analyst John Burford and interest rates. This fueled the portfolio’s growth, with
returns in 2023, earning Radcliffe Brown, our chief operating officer of finance – investment income for the 2023 fiscal year reaching its
a record $172 million in combined have eight decades of professional investment highest point ever – more than five times the $32.6 million
investment income for the experience. Our investment team earned certification of income earned in fiscal year 2022.
fiscal year that ended on from the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) for Investment balances are at an all-time high, peaking
Sept. 30. the last 15 consecutive years. at over $4.5 billion, and include conservative financial
This income is money Together, we have positioned Palm Beach County at instruments such as certificates of deposit, money market
that Palm Beach County the forefront of investment opportunities, meeting weekly accounts, small business administration pools and Israel
will use to help ease to discuss strategy and monitor portfolio performance. bonds.
the financial burden on This allows us to maximize investment earnings while In addition to our role as comptroller, we play a crucial
taxpayers, supporting vital services such as community ensuring that tax dollars are protected. role in maintaining accurate and transparent county
centers, public safety and parks. Our investment team is guided by the county investment records. We are committed to providing our community
How did we achieve such strong growth this past fiscal policy, developed by our in-house professionals and the with information to help people understand how their tax
money is being invested and spent.
Visit www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/countyfinances
for investment information and to review other county
financial reports.
My team is dedicated to making sure that your tax
dollars work as hard as you do. If you have any questions,
YOUR FIRST CHOICE Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
do not hesitate to contact my office.
Regards,
Joseph Abruzzo,

FOR A Why Can’t My

SECOND Child Keep Up?

By Jim Forgan, Ph.D.,
Licensed School
OPINION Psychologist
A concerned mom
explained her child’s
struggles to me: “I feel
like sometimes Jenny
cannot keep up with a
conversation. When we
are talking she often stops
and asks questions to
explain more or again.
When she hears a new word, she does not seem to hear it
correctly. We have to repeat it a few times and break it down
into the sounds for her to finally get it and repeat it back
correctly. When she is telling a story or giving information,
it can take her a long time to think of what she wants to
say and if you interrupt her she has to start all the way at
CHOOSE A LEADER the beginning again and she gets frustrated. She says kids

IN CARDIAC SURGERY at school make fun of her because she can’t read.”
Our school neuropsychological testing showed Jenny
had a language-based learning disability along with
dyslexia and dysgraphia. She was a smart girl but her
Second opinions save lives. That’s why Cleveland Clinic language disorders interfered with her ability to listen,
in Florida is your first choice for a second opinion follow directions, discriminate sounds, and express
on cardiac surgery. With minimally invasive options and herself. Since writing and reading are language-based
skills she could not put her thoughts into writing and while
shortened recovery times, our heart surgeons provide world she could memorize, she could not pronounce unfamiliar
class care from South Florida to the Treasure Coast. From words. Jenny had a strong memory and could memorize
pioneering research to robotic-assisted cardiovascular surgery, adequately so this concealed her true struggles.
Jenny’s mom wanted to know how to help Jenny so
trust our heart experts for every care in the world. our recommendations provided her with the best reading
program and some tutors. We also provided a list of games
they could purchase to play at home to help. Testing
Call 855.881.1972 to schedule an appointment. helped dad learn that when Jenny could not get to the
point, he needed to give more patience and understanding.
The testing also provided mom with paperwork to share
with Jenny’s school staff. They developed a plan with
ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/HeartSurgery goals to help Jenny in school. We discussed next steps in
our one-hour results review meeting.
It’s unusual for smart children to experience long-term
academic struggles. You know your child best so if you
are concerned, call to discuss your child. Visit JimForgan.
com or call (561) 625-4125.

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