August Newsletter

August is shaping up to be a great month, as we've wrapped up summer, and charged full speed ahead into the first week back to school!

In July, the County thanked Dr. Isami Ayala for her many years of service as Assistant County Administrator and Executive Director of Facilities and Development Operations Department. She leaves us to pursue an exciting new challenge in a neighboring county.

My staff and I took two tours at county services last month. First was the Solid Waste facility, where we had an interesting look into this vital county service. It was also an opportunity to ensure that their service would maintain usual service during the road closures. The second was at South Bay Rehabilitation and Correctional Facility where the focus is on successful mental health treatment and rehabilitation of incarcerated members of our community. We heard inspiring stories from the staff, and hopeful testimonies from inmates who are doing the hard work of improving themselves.

Also in July, I attended the Florida Association of Counties, our annual meeting to work alongside our fellow county leaders across the state, and collaborated on solutions that are beneficial statewide.

Our new County Administrator, Joseph Abruzzo, officially takes the helm this month, and I know he is ready to hit the ground running, working to make Palm Beach County government work efficiently for its residents.

County Commission and leadership honoring Dr. Isami Ayala's years of service to the citizens of Palm Beach County

Interim County Administrator, Todd Bonlarron, and Vice Mayor Baxter attend the Florida Association of Counties in Orlando

District Six Team with the wonderful staff at the South Bay Rehabilitation and Correction Facility

Learning all about how solid waste is processed in Palm Beach County

Now that our kids are back in school, it's a great time to stay mindful of kids at bus stops, and watch carefully for school busses. The safety of our community is our first priority!

Florida's annual back to school Tax Holiday is happening the entire month of August! You still have time to take advantage of the savings and stock up for the school year!

I had the privilege of participating in Palm Beach County's Back to School Event, as county staff and volunteers worked hand in hand to get our students equipped to get back to fun and learning in Palm Beach County Schools! Thanks to everyone at The United Way, their partner agencies, and sponsors that worked so tirelessly to make the event possible!

My staff and I also had a great day at the Stuff the Bus event, which raised more than $300,000 in school supplies and toys for the kids of Palm Beach County. With your help, we stuffed two school busses FULL! Both events were a huge success, and it was great to see the community working together to give our kids a great start to the school year.

As we enter the peak time of hurricane season, it's a great time to take stock of your supplies, and take advantage of the now PERMANENT sales tax exemptions on emergency preparedness supplies. The full list of tax exempt items is here:

If you missed our full hurricane preparedness email, you can find a wealth of local information and resources here:

Hurricane Preparedness Information

SWA RECYCLING NEWS: Is It Recyclable? Office and School Paper

Today, many things are recyclable, and in Palm Beach County, office and school paper is a valuable recyclable that often gets overlooked.

With kids returning to the classroom or if you’re just tidying up your home office, now is the perfect time to recycle your clean, dry office and school paper. From lined notebook paper to printer paper, and even sticky notes, these items belong in your yellow recycling bin.

In 2024, Palm Beach County residents recycled more than 31,400 tons of mixed paper.

If you’ve been saving up your office and school paper and have more than fits into your yellow recycling bin, you have options.

Take it to one of the more than 250 yellow community cardboard dumpsters stationed throughout our county. Find your nearest yellow community cardboard dumpster [swa.org].
Take it to one of seven Home Chemical & Recycling Centers [swa.org] (HCRCs).

Here are the SWA’s seven HCRC locations from north county to south county:

Jupiter

North County Transfer Station

14185 Military Trail (SWA Road) in Jupiter

Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

West Palm Beach

Home Chemical and Recycling Center

6161 N. Jog Road in West Palm Beach

Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday: 7 a.m.–5 p.m.

Belle Glade

Glades Regional Transfer Station

1701 State Road 15 in Belle Glade

Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Royal Palm Beach

West Central Transfer Station

9743 Weisman Way in Royal Palm Beach

Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Lantana

Central County Transfer Station

1810 Lantana Road in Lantana

Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday: 7 a.m.-12 p.m.

Delray Beach – West

Southwest County Transfer Station

13400 South State Road 7 in Delray Beach

Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Delray Beach – East

South County Transfer Station

1901 SW 4th Ave. in Delray Beach

Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

The full list of accepted items in the SWA’s dual-stream recycling program can be found online [swa.org].

What is the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) and Why Does it Matter?

Every year, the Property Appraiser sets the value of homes, businesses, and land. That value, along with the millage rate, is used to calculate property taxes. If a property owner believes their appraised value is too high, or they should be exempt from certain taxes, they can file an appeal with the Value Adjustment Board.

The VAB acts as a neutral advocate in the property tax appeals process. By considering both the property owner's appeal and the Property Appraiser’s position, the VAB provides a fair hearing, and can make decisions in accordance with Florida law.

During a recent reorganization meeting, the VAB discussed the administrative fee for filing a petition. After reviewing comparisons with other counties and hearing staff input, the Board voted unanimously to increase the fee from $15 to $20 per filing for the 2025 tax year. This fee helps cover the cost of processing petitions and holding hearings.

At the meeting, Vice Mayor Baxter and Vice Chair Joel Flores asked important questions about the process, and about what it takes from both the staff and the resident perspective to ensure the system is fair and accessible.

If you have questions about the process, feel free to contact our office at 561-355-2206 or send your questions to SBaxter@pbc.gov. We’re here to help you understand your rights and how the process works.

BCC Briefs for July 8, 2025

At the July 8, 2025, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Board took the following action on the agenda:

Administration – Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Project Manager Patrick Kennedy presented the latest update surrounding the closure of the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and Bee Line Highway. Palm Beach County Public Affairs will implement a multi-tiered communications plan as soon as the closure date is announced.

Received and filed, by a 6-0 vote, the updated Board Directives Report, which includes in-process and completed board directive items.

Recognized retiring Intergovernmental Affairs Director Ed Chase for his nearly 15 years of service to Palm Beach County.

Ratified Kasey Denny as Intergovernmental Affairs Director.

Airports – approved Amendment No. 5 to the Contract for Consulting/Professional Services with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. in the amount of $2,374,870 for the first one-year renewal option for design and engineering services related to Department of Airports Capital Improvement Program and a budget transfer in the amount of $1,830,768 in the Airport’s Improvement and Development Fund.

Approved a contract with Ranger Construction Industries, Inc. for the Taxiway M Improvements Project at the Palm Beach International Airport in the amount of $12,097,776.

County Attorney – approved, by a 6-0 vote, the request to schedule a private meeting for an attorney–client session to discuss settlement negotiations in pending litigation between B.& B. Properties, Inc. v. Palm Beach County, Florida and gives public notice for a private meeting to be held on July 22, at 1 p.m., in the McEaddy Conference Room at 301 North Olive Avenue, 12^th Floor, West Palm Beach and placing further notice of private meeting on BCC meeting Agenda. The following persons will attend the meeting with the members of the BCC: Todd Bonlarron, Interim County Administrator; Incoming County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo; Denise Coffman, County Attorney; David Ottey, Chief Assistant County Attorney and Sean Fahey, Assistant County Attorney.

Community Services – postponed, by a 6-0 vote, proposed allocations for Behavioral Health and Substance Disorder (BHSUD) and proposed allocations for areas of Economic Stability, Securing Our Future Initiative (SOFI), Self-Sufficiency, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and Seniors to the August 26 Workshop.

Facilities, Development & Operations – approved the first amendment with the Town of Hypoluxo, amending the scope of work for the construction of a new library facility at 7200 N. Federal Highway, Hypoluxo.

Authorized staff to negotiate a development conveyance agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County, Inc. for the development, construction, and sale of single-family homes on County-owned infill housing properties.

Financial Management & Budget – approved Palm Beach County’s use of the Uniform Method of collecting ad-valorem special assessments which provides for inclusion of water and street improvement project special assessments on the 2025 tax bill.

Authorized, by a 6-0 vote, for staff to submit a proposed not-to-exceed millage rate of 4.5 Countywide Non-Voted and maintain the proposed millage rates for Library and Fire Rescue for the FY 2026 budget to the Property Appraiser; authorized public hearings on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 and Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, at 5:05 p.m., in the 6th floor Commission Chambers of the Robert Weisman Governmental Center and adopted the Financial Policies for Palm Beach County as recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).

Housing & Economic Development – approved the County’s Consolidated Plan for Fiscal Years (FYs) 2025-2029, County’s Action Plan for FYs 2025-2026, and delegated authority to County Administrator, or designee, to execute Certifications for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partners (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs.

Certified the Palm Beach County Housing Authority (PBCCHA) Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 is consistent with the County’s Consolidated Plan, for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Intergovernmental Affairs – received and filed the 2025 Legislative Session Report.

Planning, Zoning & Building – approved the Watershed Master Plan (WMP) developed in collaboration with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) with the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM).

Approved an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Greenacres providing for the annexation of an enclave, known as Chickasaw Road Enclave, generally located on the north side of Chickasaw Road, west of Jog Road, Chickasaw Road and Wry Road north of Chickasaw Road.

Youth Services – postponed allocations for Community Based Agency (CBA) funding in the action areas of Health and Wellness Supports, Ensuring Safety & Justice, and Skills for Learning and Life to the August 26 Workshop.

For further information on consent and regular items, please visit the Agenda section of our website.