Page 11 - Boca Exposure - April '25

Boca Exposure, Page 11
From The Desk Of Commissioner Marci Woodward:

A Message From Marci

Commissioner Woodward, a with appropriation chairs. Our meeting with Environmental • Direction to staff to return with a resolution amending
20-year resident of Boca Raton, Resources Management (ERM) Director Deb Drum and AEG the Boards Rules and Procedures, adding a Board Direction
was elected in November 2023 Chair Jason Brodeur on the Loxahatchee River and Lake Worth section to the agenda.
as Palm Beach County District Lagoon projects provides hope to continue the amazing work • A 360-degree survey to evaluate the County Auditors,
4 Commissioner. She serves of restoration and protection of these vital natural resources. County Administrators and County Attorneys performance.
on the following boards of Other Palm Beach County initiatives I supported include: • $11.6 million for Transit Signal Priority and Emergency
directors as a representative of • Australian Avenue Road and Drainage Improvements Vehicle Preemption hardware and software for Fire Rescue
the county commission: Palm ($2,500,000); and Palm Tran.
Beach Transportation Planning • Fire Rescue Water Vessels for Hazard Mitigation ($200,000); • $34 million in bonds approved for Calusa Pointe II in
Agency; South Florida • Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens Bridge to Heaven Belle Glade, providing 168 affordable units for 30 years.
Regional Transportation Design ($500,000); • $4.65 million HIP award to One North Lake, LLC for 54
Authority (TriRail); Treasure • Peanut Island Historic Restoration ($2,000,000); affordable units in Pahokee, capped at 70% AMI for 50 years.
Coast Regional Planning Council; CareerSource Palm Beach • Palm Beach County Affordable Housing Initiative ($2,550,000); • $3.15 million HIP award for Westgate Terrace Apartments,
County; Palm Beach Cultural Council and Value Adjustment • Palm Tran Patriot Passes Pilot Program ($150,000); with 37 affordable units capped at 120% AMI for 50 years.
Board. Ms. Woodward graduated from the University of South • RESTORE Re-Entry Program ($500,000); • $4.3 million HBLP award to Village of Valor in Palm
Carolina-Aiken with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. • Lake Worth Lagoon System Assessment ($154,500); Springs, providing 54 affordable units for veterans and their
I proudly represented District 4 in two packed days with • 9th Avenue South Outfall Restoration–City of Lake Worth families for 50 years.
our state legislators and leaders in Tallahassee for PBC Day! Beach ($371,250); • $2.25 million grant for Davis Commons, a 20-unit
Traffic improvements and transit were high on the list and we • Daniels Way Water Quality Improvements–Town of Jupiter affordable townhome project in Lake Worth Beach.
had constructive discussions with FDOT Secretary Perdue. ($103,500); Over $1 Million Saved in Insurance Coverage. Palm
I have dual roles when representing PBC on transportation • Loxahatchee River Headwaters Easement Mapping Beach County is making smart financial decisions while
issues as a county commissioner but also as the county’s ($75,000); protecting public buildings and infrastructure. The latest
representative on the SFRTA (TriRail) board. • Loxahatchee Slough Habitat Restoration Phase II ($180,000). insurance renewal reduces costs by 5.7%, saving over $1
As the current chair and rep for the county I had a thorough It was great to meet with so many key leaders this past million, and increases coverage in key areas.
discussion on the future of our partnership with the state and week, including FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue, Senator Significant improvements include stronger hurricane
the future of commuter rail in South Florida. It was a good Alexis Calatayud, Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Senator protection, with named wind coverage rising from $145
start, but only the beginning; much more is to come. Danny Burgess. I also had the opportunity to connect with million to $155 million per storm, and the hurricane deductible
We also had meetings with Senator Calatayud and Representative Debra Tendrich, Representative Jervonte dropping from $33.25 million to $25 million per occurrence.
Representative Tendrich about the Mid-Lease Rent Increase Edmonds, Department of Commerce Secretary Alex Non-hurricane property coverage has increased from
Bill. This is a local bill request for something we were unaware Kelly, Department of Economic Development Secretary $200 million to $215 million, and the total insured value of
of until a local resident brought it to our attention. Our Jason Mahon, Appropriations Chair Senator Ed Hooper, municipal and utility properties has grown to $3.1 billion.
workforce/affordable housing tenants have been surprised with Natural Resources Appropriations Chair Tiffany Esposito, Cyber liability premiums have decreased by 2.42%, expanding
rental increases, some only a month after signing a yearlong Appropriations Chair Representative Lawrence McClure, coverage limits, while workers’ compensation excess insurance
lease. The federal government, through HUD, releases the Attorney General James Uthmeier and Chief of Staff for rose 4.6% due to payroll growth. This renewal strengthens our
AMI numbers every April. AMI stands for Area Medium Governor Ron DeSantis, Cody Farrill. It was an incredibly coverage while saving taxpayer dollars.
Income, and it is based on a formula the Federal Government productive few days, and I look forward to continuing our The county’s Risk Management team played a key role
uses to determine the local income of residents in a county. collaboration to achieve our shared goals. in securing these benefits and maintaining strong insurance
We are a large county, and with the influx of many high- As always, we are grateful to our state partners for their relationships, ensuring the County’s financial security.
wage earners our AMI has risen to $104,000, expected to be time and effort. As session continues throughout the month, Nonprofit Spotlight:
adjusted again next month. This number is important because a team of county lobbyists will remain in Tallahassee to Boca Helping Hands (BHH) is a local nonprofit dedicated
it is what we must use to determine rental rates for affordable monitor appropriations that are important to our residents. A to serving South Florida by providing food, financial
housing. The request of the bill is to prohibit landlords from big thank you to TEAM PBC and my escorts, PBC Firefighter assistance and job training to individuals, children and
increasing the rates with the release of new AMI numbers in Craig Gerlach and Kayla West, for keeping me on schedule families. Their Resource Center offers emergency financial
April and, instead, only at the time of lease renewal. Regular and ensuring everything runs smoothly. help for rent, utilities and childcare, while partnerships with
rental agreements do not allow for an increase until renewal; Recently Approved Agenda Items. Each month the Genesis Community Health and FAU provide affordable
we are asking the same for tenants in workforce housing. Board of County Commissioners approves a wide range medical, dental and behavioral care.
Our Intergovernmental Affairs and Community of important agenda items that impact areas such as I recently secured support from the Board of County
Engagement Division Director, Ed Chase, also got us a engineering, facilities, housing, airports, and more. Here are Commissioners to add BHH’s Job Training Program request
meeting with Senator Burgess’s staff to begin the discussion some key items approved this month: for $427,700 to the county’s appropriations list this legislative
for a Veterans’ initiative I am working on with the Hanley • A resolution encouraging collaboration among session. The program offers scholarships for vocational
Foundation, No Fallen Heroes, and the Grey Team. Thank municipalities, stakeholders, state agencies and taxing training in healthcare, IT, construction and transportation.
you, Ed, for helping me plant the seed. I can’t wait to tell authorities for the successful development and adoption of BHH always needs volunteers, donations and food for their
you more once we are on stronger footing. a Countywide Transportation Master Plan. pantry. For more information, call (561) 317-0913.
My advocacy extended to key areas of our legislative agenda, • A 12-month agreement extension with FDEP to share If you require assistance, please contact our office at (561)
including vital infrastructure and water resource protections costs for the Singer Island Dune Nourishment project. 355-2204 or email Mwoodward@pbcgov.org.

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