Page 13 - Boca Club News - March '25

Boca Club News, Page 13
From the Desk of Commissioner

Marci Woodward: A Message from Marci

Commissioner Woodward, a 20-year employers beyond payroll deductions. Employees retain I had the opportunity to meet four amazing companies
resident of Boca Raton, was elected the flexibility to opt-out at any time. The plan is also that have expanded or relocated to Palm Beach County,
in November 2023 as Palm Beach extremely portable in that it easily follows the employee creating hundreds of jobs and contributing millions in
County District 4 Commissioner. if they change jobs within the state. capital investment. These companies include Bee Access,
She serves on the following boards I am encouraging our business community to actively HOERBIGER, Celebree School, and BAC Fabrication LLC
of directors as a representative advocate for a state-facilitated retirement savings program & BAC Consulting. Their growth is a major boost to our local
of the county commission: Palm in Tallahassee. The benefits are clear and compelling. By economy.
Beach Transportation Planning establishing such a program we can significantly improve The Hands and Feet is a local nonprofit that serves
Agency; South Florida Regional the financial security of our workforce, reduce reliance as a vital resource for children and families navigating the
Transportation Authority (TriRail); Treasure Coast on public assistance and alleviate pressure on programs complexities of the child welfare system. Acting as a sort of
Regional Planning Council; CareerSource Palm Beach like Social Security. “DoorDash for foster care,” they swiftly deliver essential
County; Palm Beach Cultural Council and Value This is a strategic investment that will benefit items, from clothing and diapers to car seats and comfort
Adjustment Board. Ms. Woodward graduated from the employers, employees and taxpayers alike. If you’d like items, addressing immediate needs and offering crucial
University of South Carolina-Aiken with a Bachelor’s to learn more about this or offer your help, please contact support.
Degree in Fine Arts. us. It’s time to get some traction in Tallahassee on this More than just providing tangible goods, The Hands and
Last November I attended the Joint Annual Conference important issue. Feet extends a lifeline of hope and community, ensuring that
between the Treasure Coast and South Florida Regional A big thank you to Angela Antonelli and Nathan vulnerable children and families know they are not alone.
Planning Councils at FAU, where the topic was “The Glassey for taking the time to speak with our business Their dedication to filling the gaps and providing for those in
Silver Tsunami.” One of the speakers, Angela Antonelli, community. I’m excited to see where this conversation crisis makes a tangible difference in the lives of many within
executive director of the Center for Retirement Initiatives will take us and to get the ball rolling! our community.
at Georgetown University, spoke on the work being done New Agenda Items. Each month, the Board of County Palm Beach County has a Home Rule Charter? As a
around the country for employees of small businesses to Commissioners approves a wide range of important resident of Palm Beach County, you might have heard the
have access to retirement plans. agenda items that impact areas such as engineering, term “Home Rule Charter” but may not fully understand
Although the conference focused on senior citizens’ facilities, housing, airports and more. Here are some key what it means or how it affects you. Let’s break it down in a
struggles, it was important to bring attention to the need items approved this month: simple way!
to help current workers better prepare for retirement. It Increase the Agricultural Enhancement Council (AEC) The Home Rule Charter is like the “Constitution” of our
was a fascinating discussion I could not shake from my from 9 to 11 members and remove term limits. New county. It sets the framework for how our local government
mind. I contacted Angela afterward and we discussed members will include a representative from small farms operates. Essentially, it outlines how decisions are made,
ways to bring this initiative to Palm Beach County. She (under 50 acres, outside the Everglades Agricultural Area how elected officials do their jobs and how we, the people,
invited me to be a panelist at the 2025 Annual Conference and Agricultural Reserve) and one from agri-tourism, are represented.
of State-Facilitated Retirement Savings Program in recommended by the Palm Beach County Farm Bureau. This governing document gives Palm Beach County
Nashville at the end of January. The conference brought Clerk Joseph Abruzzo announced a record-breaking the authority to govern ourselves without needing approval
together state leaders from around the nation to discuss investment income of $230 million, surpassing last year’s from the state for many local matters. It helps us tailor our
improving retirement readiness for small businesses and previous high of $173 million. He projects returning over government to fit the unique needs of our community. By
their employees. $1 billion to taxpayers during his eight-year term. establishing clear rules for governing, it ensures transparency,
I was fortunate to have Sherry Howard, division The following companies by a 6-1 vote to provide fairness and accountability.
director for Palm Beach County Housing & Economic EMS services in Palm Beach County from February Here are key elements:
Development, and Tammy Fields, assistant county 11th to June 30th, 2027: MCT Express, Inc. (All County Government Structure: The local Constitution outlines
administrator, join me to make sure we could absorb all Ambulance), National Health Transport, Inc., Positive how the county is governed, including the roles of the Board
the valuable information from this trip. Their expertise Mobility Inc. (Elite Medical Response), and E-Care of County Commissioners and the county administrator.
and participation were invaluable, not only in expanding Ambulance, Inc. Palms West Hospital (HCA Florida We elect commissioners to make decisions on our behalf
our network but also in gathering data to support our Palms West) is limited to transporting patients between and the administrator is responsible for running day-to-day
county’s business community. the hospital and other facilities. operations.
The best way to move this process forward is to A contract for the operation and maintenance of the Elected Officials’ Responsibilities: It explains what each
begin with the backing of local business and economic baggage handling systems at Palm Beach International elected official, including the commissioners, can and cannot
development stakeholders. The second takeaway is the Airport (PBI) has been extended for an additional year. do, and the procedures for how we vote on county matters.
need to have this taken up as legislation at the state level. The amendment increases the contract amount and
There are more than 20 states that have either passed allocates funds for the replacement of two more baggage
or are in the process of implementing legislation for claim carousel units.
state-facilitated plans. Much of the hard work has been The Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) Project Your ad
done, and the conference in Nashville proffered several Agreement provides up to $917,950 for the design,
individuals and organizations ready to help us in Florida. permitting, construction and monitoring of the South
As a county commissioner I do not make policy at the Lake Worth Inlet Sand Trap and Boat Channel Dredging could be here!
state level, but I recently hosted a meeting with many Project, effective upon signing and ending by September
community stakeholders at the Canyon Branch Library 30th , 2026. Additionally, a transfer of $2,191,391 will
to discuss an important idea for Florida. Angela Antonelli bring the total funding to $3,109,341. Call
spoke on this issue and Nathan Glassey, Director of Safe Street Summit. I was thrilled to be part of this
Federal and State Legislative Affairs at the American year’s Safe Street Summit, organized by the Palm Beach
Retirement Association, was also in attendance. During Transportation Planning Agency. The event kicked off
the meeting they shared their findings and highlighted the with the New District & Urban Connections Tour, where 561-746-3244
urgent need to address the retirement savings gap within we got an inside look at Nora – downtown West Palm
our workforce. An alarming 56 million U.S. workers, Beach’s vibrant new adaptive reuse and development
representing over 60% of the private sector, currently district.
lack access to employer-sponsored retirement benefits. The following day, we dove into discussions on best
During this discussion representatives asked hard practices and infrastructure improvements that can make
questions, rigorously dissecting the proposed program to a real impact in our communities. It was also a proud Southern Exposure Technologies
understand how it could successfully work for our county. moment for Palm Beach County, as we were honored with Computer Install/Setup/Repair
They dug into the details, showing they’re serious about the Community Award. A big congratulations to Mayor
finding a solution that works. Michael Napoleone on receiving the Complete Streets (561) 315-0144
Small businesses, which form the backbone of Florida’s Champion Award! getsetgo.annie@gmail.com
economy, face unique challenges in providing retirement Art in Motion. Michael Woodward and I had * DSL, Broadband,Wireless Install
options. Many find it cost-prohibitive or too burdensome an amazing time attending a preview of the 2025 * Networking, Troubleshooting
to “shop” plans for themselves and their employees. Many International Kinetic Art Experience with the City of * Instruction
business owners work as many if not more hours than their Boynton Beach. The event brought together creativity and * Hardware/Software Installation
employees and simply do not have the time to tackle one engineering in a truly inspiring way. A huge thank you to * Virus/Spyware/Adware Fix
* Cleanup/Maintenance/Backup
more thing. In fact, 73% of employees in small businesses Catering Solutions for generously providing a delicious * Business Consult/Startup/Move
with fewer than 50 employees lack access to retirement breakfast to kick off the day and to everyone involved * Website Design/Maintenance
savings plans through their jobs. in bringing this incredible experience to life. Over the Call S.E.T. to install your “new computer, printer
Here in Palm Beach County we have a total of 72,146 weekend more than 30 artists from around the globe and wireless network”!
businesses, with a staggering 97%, or 69,885 businesses displayed their innovative works, highlighting various GET S.E.T. GO!
employing fewer than 50 people. These small businesses styles and dynamic movements. The event also featured REASONABLE HOURLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY RATES
are the lifeblood of our local economy, employing almost artist talks, family-friendly art activities, live music by FOR SMALL BUSINESSES FOR AS LOW AS $50.00 AN HOUR,
WITH A MINIMUM OF 6 HOURS A MONTH,
half the workforce. However, a significant portion of the Valerie Tyson Band, food trucks, and much more. OR 2 HOURS A WEEK, OR ON AN AS-NEEDED
these employees, approximately 305,218 individuals, lack BDB Luncheon. The entire board was in attendance at BASIS RATE OF $75.00 P/HOUR.
access to retirement plans. the BDB luncheon, where we had the privilege of hearing START YOUR NEW YEAR WITH SECURE BACKUPS,
The state-facilitated programs, often utilizing an from Armando Pimentel, president and CEO of Florida QUALITY MAINTENANCE, ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND
Auto-IRA model, allow businesses to automatically Power & Light (FPL). He shared insights on how FPL PERSONABLE ON-SITE SUPPORT!
(561) 315-0144
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minimal administrative burden and no direct cost to for nearly a century.