Page 4 - Boca ViewPointe - April '25

Page 4, Viewpointe April 2025
From The Desk Of Commissioner Marci Woodward

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