Page 1 - The Shores of Jupiter - March '24

Our Village Voice

VOL. 35 NO. 3 www.seabreezepublications.com MARCH 2024

Commissioner’s Update

Beach Restoration Efforts In Dunes are accumulations of wind-blown sand abutting Island and will focus on recovery of dune areas within
the beach. They are stabilized by salt tolerant native plants
the county park and adjacent public access areas. Coastal
Palm Beach County that have deeply-penetrating, extensive root systems. Resources Program staff are also working with local
As the plants become buried, new roots develop on the Inlet Management District, municipal, state, and federal
By Vice Mayor Maria recently buried stems while new stems emerge from the partners to facilitate restoration of affected major beach
Marino sand. Dunes help minimize erosion and protect coastal nourishment projects areas where appropriate.
Palm Beach County’s infrastructure from storm damage. The county’s dune restoration efforts are funded by a
47-mile coastline is a Recently you may have observed shoreline erosion. portion of Tourist Development Council bed taxes which
playground for millions of Our beaches sustained moderate additional damage to are used as a local match for state and federal grant dollars
residents and tourists each a number of previously identified “hot spot” areas of that are contingent on providing public access to the sandy
year. Our beaches serve as erosion through the end of 2023 as a result of repeated beach area. The intent of our efforts are to maintain a
one of the best defenses strong frontal storm systems and their associated onshore beach and dune system using public dollars on a regional
against wave damage winds. Despite additional erosion to these localized areas, scale where historic development has impacted the natural
caused by winter storms we have observed natural recovery and sand accumulation system’s ability to respond to erosion.
and hurricanes. However, over the past month as conditions have begun to We hope and expect that recent observations of natural
the constant erosion of our normalize. These limited periods of recovery are more recovery will continue as conditions normalize and the
beaches is an undeniable reality and maintaining the typical to the county’s winter beach season and a number significant amount of sand within nearshore coastal waters
quality and sustainability of beaches is of the highest of positive indicators, such as seaward accumulation of finds its way back onto dry beach areas.
importance. beach sand and significant nearshore sandbar formation, Your input on areas of concern is very helpful. As
The Palm Beach County Department of Environmental are good indicators that sand perceivably lost to erosion always, please contact me if I can be of assistance at (561)
Resources Management, through its Shoreline in recent months is still present in the coastal system and 355-2201 or by email at MMarino@pbc.gov.
Enhancement and Restoration Program, builds will continue to facilitate natural recovery.
environmentally-sensitive, cost-effective projects to The worst-hit dune-only county project areas have
protect and restore the natural function of beaches emergency construction contracts in place to facilitate
and dunes. The department encourages improved sand restoration of engineered dune systems where natural
management practices at inlets and promotes the removal recovery is not possible. The Singer Island Emergency
of non-native vegetation from sand dunes. Since 1989, Dune Restoration is 50 percent complete, focusing on
Palm Beach County has participated in or constructed over protecting county construction accesses and publicly
22 miles of beach and dune restoration projects for the accessible beach areas. Coral Cove Emergency Dune
benefit of tourists, residents and coastal property owners. Restoration will immediately follow completion of Singer
Northern Notes

Living Within Our Budget units of development
with budgets, excluding
By Katie Roundtree, the general fund.
Director of Finance and Northern’s primary
Administration, Northern purpose is to provide
Palm Beach County stormwater control
Improvement District services to its area.
L i k e m o st l oc a l However, in some
governments, the Northern areas, Northern is also
Palm Beach County responsible for road,
Improvement District preserve, trail and gate
(Northern) must prepare maintenance.
and abide by an annual Northern’s fiscal
budget. Unlike many other year begins on Oct. 1
local governments, Northern prepares a budget for and ends on Sept. 30.
general expenses, such as administrative and overhead Each year, starting in January, the budget process begins
expenses, and for each unit of development within its for the new fiscal year. Staff and department heads
jurisdiction. A unit of development is a separate, distinct submit their budgeted requests for projects, services
area formed to provide specific services from Northern. and equipment for the upcoming year to the budget
These areas can be for individual housing developments, manager. The budget manager compiles the information
such as PGA National, BallenIsles or Abacoa. They can and produces a draft budget for review by Northern
also be for an area that covers several developments, management. During this time, requests are balanced REPORT SUSPICIOUS
such as Horseshoe Acres, Steeplechase, Arbor Parc and against funding to determine whether or not specific
Woodbine. Each unit of development is unique since their projects or requests remain in the funding plan for the ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY
needs can be quite different. Currently, there are 47 active upcoming year.
Budgets are funded TO THE JUPITER POLICE
from either maintenance
assessments, reserve funds, DEPARTMENT
loans or a combination
of the above. Northern (561) 799-4445
has a policy to keep a
minimum of 25 percent of Use 911 for emergencies only.
the maintenance budget for Lock car doors. Do not leave
each unit of development
valuables in the car.
Northern Notes on page 2