As we begin a new year, January has already been filled with meaningful moments of community, connection, and progress across District 3 and Palm Beach County. From celebrating culture and resilience, to engaging directly with residents and highlighting the issues that matter most to our neighbors, my team and I have been hard at work serving you.

In this January recap, I’m proud to share highlights from recent events, important updates, and stories that reflect the strength and diversity of our community. Thank you for staying engaged and for allowing me the opportunity to continue representing you.

In This Issue:

• Mobilizing The County To Open Cold Weather Shelters
• Immigration Roundtable
• Community Engagement
• Progress In Our Neighborhoods
• PBC Days In Tallahassee
• In The News
• BCC Meetings
• January Proclamations
• Who's Hiring
• Events & Things To Do
• News You Can Use
• Our Team

On Wednesday, January 28, I sent a memo to County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo, calling for an immediate action plan regarding how the county plans to help unsheltered individuals during this upcoming period of unseasonably cold weather. I want to thank County administration leadership, Emergency Management, Community Services, and our nonprofit and faith-based partners for their swift coordination and response. Protecting our most vulnerable residents requires proactive planning and collaboration, and I appreciate the rapid mobilization to ensure no one is left without options during this period of extreme cold.

As a result, cold weather shelters opened during the day on Thursday, January 29. Shelters also opened overnight beginning at 7:00 p.m. and closing at 9:00 a.m. on the mornings of January 31, February 1, and February 2, 2026.

Palm Tran Connection buses also coordinated pickups along established routes to assist individuals with transportation to shelter locations.

For additional help finding shelter resources, call 211 for up-to-date information and visit the County’s Shelters webpage.

On Friday, January 30, I was honored to sit with local leaders as part of an Immigration Roundtable hosted by Congresswoman Lois Frankel in West Palm Beach.

Watch the full discussion on my Facebook page.

Pathway To Certification

In January, we kicked off Module 1 (Registration) of our Pathway to Certification workshop series, and the turnout was incredible. More than a dozen local small business owners participated and received hands-on assistance with the county registration process.

Participants were supported by dedicated staff from the Palm Beach County Purchasing Department, the Office of Small Business Development, and my office — all working together to help businesses take this important first step toward becoming Palm Beach County vendors.

Last week, we hosted Module 2 (Certification) for those who successfully completed registration during Module 1. County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo joined me and the Office of Small Business Development, led by Director Axel Miranda, in addressing the business owners that we certified.

Stay tuned!

We’ll be sharing details soon about our next Pathway to Certification opportunity coming in March. Be sure to follow and check our social media regularly so you don’t miss out.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this such a success.

VIDEO: Water Utilities Department Tour

My team and I recently toured the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department and learned how our county water is sourced, processed, and delivered to our homes. Director of Palm Beach County Water Utilities, Ali Bayat, personally showed us the lay of the land and if you want to know more about him and his department, check out the first episode of 90 Seconds with Commissioner Flores.

Fiesta De Pueblo

Fiesta de Pueblo was an amazing way to celebrate Three Kings Day!

I had a great time at John Prince Park connecting with our community and celebrating the rich traditions, music, food, and culture that make our Hispanic community so special. Thank you to everyone who made it such a joyful event — see you next year!

Leadership Palm Beach County Local Government Panel

It was an honor to participate as a panelist for the Leadership Palm Beach County Local Government Panel, kicking off Day 1 of the Leadership Palm Beach County Focus Class of 2026.



As a proud Leadership Palm Beach County alumnus, it’s always meaningful to give back to a program that plays such an important role in developing informed, engaged community leaders. The discussion offered a great opportunity to share insights on local government, public service, and leadership with the next class of changemakers.

Wishing the Focus Class of 2026 a successful and inspiring journey ahead.

South Florida Fair Opening Ceremony

On January 16, the South Florida Fair officially kicked off with its Opening Ceremony, marking the start of one of Palm Beach County’s most anticipated annual traditions.

My Chief of Staff, Vivian Rodriguez, was proud to attend the ceremony on my behalf as we celebrated the beginning of this longtime community favorite that brings families together through entertainment, agriculture, culture, and local pride.

Groundbreaking For Animal Care & Control Expansion

After years of planning, we’ve finally broken ground on the expansion of Animal Care & Control. All the county commissioners, Administrator Abruzzo, and Public Safety Department and Animal Care and Control staff were in attendance at the beautiful groundbreaking ceremony this week. We even had our shelter pups parading around with construction hats!

We’re all looking forward to better conditions at the shelter for all the animals, staff, and volunteers. Thank you to everyone working to make this possible. And remember — adopt, don’t shop!

Boynton Fire Station Opening

I was honored to attend the opening of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue’s 51st station in the western part of our county. This new facility on Lyons Road will expand emergency coverage for residents in the Boynton Beach and Delray Beach areas — bringing enhanced response capabilities and decades of service to West Palm Beach County.

Thank you to our first responders for your commitment to keeping our community safe!

Groundbreaking For Maude Ford Lee Community Services Building

Palm Beach County celebrated the groundbreaking of the Maude Ford Lee Community Services Facility, a new civic and administrative building that will bring together vital programs under one roof.

This facility will support essential services including Homeless Outreach, Senior & Veteran Services, Human Services, Community Action, and the HIV Elimination Initiative, strengthening how the County serves residents across Palm Beach County.

My Chief of Staff, Vivian Rodriguez, was proud to attend the ceremony on my behalf as we marked the beginning of this transformative new campus.

New Tapatia Supermarket Grand Opening

Welcome, Tapatia Supermarket!

On Sunday, January 25, Tapatia Supermarket celebrated its grand opening at 10th Avenue and Jog Road in Greenacres, bringing a lively and family-friendly celebration to the community.

The event featured mariachi music, cultural performances, a DJ, activities for kids, and plenty of food tastings—creating a festive atmosphere that reflected the rich culture and energy of the neighborhood.

My Director of Constituent Services, Dianni Mendez, was proud to attend the grand opening on my behalf as we welcomed this new business to Greenacres. Tapatia Supermarket is a great addition to our local economy and brings new job opportunities for residents.

• 2980 Jog Road, Greenacres, FL 33467

Wishing the entire Tapatia team much success!

PBC Days in Tallahassee

In early January, I joined fellow county officials and staff in Tallahassee for the 3rd Annual Palm Beach County Days at the Florida State Capitol. During the visit, we met with state legislators and committee leaders to discuss key legislative priorities and funding opportunities that could impact Palm Beach County and our residents during the 2026 Legislative Session.

Palm Beach County Days is an important opportunity to advocate for our community, strengthen partnerships, and ensure our county’s priorities are heard at the state level.

Latest BCC Meeting Outcomes

At the January 6, 2026, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action on the regular agenda:

Administration

• Approved, by a vote of 6-0, on preliminary reading and permission to advertise for public hearing on January 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., amending the boundaries of two of the seven county commission districts regarding a potential minor district change impacting Century Village. 
• Approved by a vote of 6-0, a waiver of the competitive solicitation process for professional services to be performed by Jerry Wilson, PC (firm), based upon the firm’s prior knowledge and demonstrated expertise in redistricting for the County in 2021. The contract for the consulting services will not exceed $25,000 for redistricting Century Village, currently located within Districts 2 and District 7. 
• Approved by a 5-1 vote, a budget transfer of $362,970 within the general fund, including $120,000 from Contingency Reserves, and $242,970 from vacant positions within the Information Systems Services Department (ISS) to County Administration to establish a budget for the Division of Employee Performance Management Systems and Analytics (EPMS). 

Engineering & Public Works – approved, by a vote of 6-0, an amendment to the infrastructure Surtax (IST) Project Plan approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) on April 14, 2017, as amended on January 4, 2022, to increase the budget by $1,150,000 from $650,000 to $1,800,000 for the Hypoluxo Road and Military Trail Signal.

Financial Management & Budget – approved, by a 6-0 vote, a contract with Alfred Benesh & Company to review and update Palm Beach County’s current impact fee system to a multi-modal Impact fee system for the period of January 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2026, with three 12-month renewal options to provide supplemental consulting services related to transportation and multi-modal impact fees. 

Fire Rescue – approved, by a 6-0 vote, resolution of the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approving budget transfers and budget amendments relating to the transfer of Ocean Rescue Lifeguards to the Fire Rescue Department.  

Housing & Economic Development

• Approved, by a 6-0 vote, the Homebuyer Match Pilot Program Policies and allocation of $5,000,000 from the Workforce Housing Program, and delegated authority to the County Administrator to execute agreements with buyers for the Homebuyer Match Pilot Program. 
• Approved, by 6-0, vote, Ad Valorem funding allocation of $500,000 to Harra Homes, LLC for demucking costs associated with costs with the development of 18 affordable single-family homes located in the City of Belle Glade and delegated authority to the County Administrator to obtain the agreement and other documents necessary for implementation of the project award that does not change the scope of the work. 
• Approved by a vote of 6-0, an Impact Fee Affordable Housing Assistance Program funding in the amount of $5,850 to WeSecondChance LLC, and authorized the Mayor to execute a Certificate of Award to be released to the recipient pursuant to IFAHAP guidelines. 
• Conceptually approved a General Obligation Housing Bond Loan Program award for Affordable Housing Multifamily development to Seventh on Haverhill Owner LLC in the amount of $7,441,000 for 101 units. 

Legislative Affairs – adopted the proposed 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda.



Medical Examiner’s Office – adopted a resolution of the Board of County Commissioners repealing a resolution and establishing a schedule of fees for the Medical Examiner's Office (MEO) services. Fees charged for cremation services will be increased from $50 to $70, and expert witness fees will be increased from $400 per hour to $600 per hour.

Upcoming BCC Meetings

BCC Meeting — Tuesday, February 3, 2026

• The Board will convene for its regular meeting with public comment. The agenda and backup will be posted in advance on the County website.

BCC Workshop — Wednesday, February 4, 2026

• Commissioners will hold a discussion-focused workshop on scheduled topics listed on the agenda.

BCC Zoning Hearing — Thursday, February 26, 2026

• Commissioners review proposed zoning applications and land development regulations at these monthly meetings. These zoning hearings are quasi-judicial in nature and are conducted to afford all parties due process. The agenda will be posted in advance on the County website.

You can watch all meetings live online, on YouTube, or on PBC TV Channel 20.

Mentoring Month Proclamation

I had the honor of presenting the proclamation declaring January 2026 as Mentoring Month in Palm Beach County. This proclamation recognizes the powerful role mentoring plays in supporting young people and strengthening our community.



Staff of the Palm Beach County Youth Services Department, the United Way of Palm Beach County, the Children’s Services Council, and multiple other Mentor Network partners accepted the proclamation and were recognized for their tireless efforts in mentoring our youth.



Palm Beach County proudly supports mentoring initiatives and encourages residents to get involved in programs that help guide and uplift the next generation.

Mentoring Month Proclamation at the Children’s Services Council

Community partners also came together at the January meeting of the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County to continue recognizing Mentoring Month. The council voted to issue this proclamation highlighting the powerful role mentoring plays in providing guidance, building connections, and creating brighter futures for our youth.

Proclamation Declaring 2026 as The Year to Rediscover Reading

I had the privilege to present Palm Beach County Library System staff a proclamation declaring 2026 as the Year to Rediscover Reading in Palm Beach County.



Reading plays a powerful role in education, personal growth, and overall well-being.

Throughout the year, the Palm Beach County Library System will host special programs and activities encouraging residents of all ages to read, listen to audiobooks, and share their love of reading.

Susan G. Komen® More Than Pink Walk Day

Earlier in January, the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed January 31, 2026, as Susan G. Komen® More Than Pink Walk Day in Palm Beach County, recognizing the vital work being done to support those impacted by breast cancer.

Although I was unable to present the proclamation in person, I was grateful to have my colleague, Commissioner Maria Sachs, present it on my behalf. I’m proud to sponsor this proclamation and to stand with Susan G. Komen in raising awareness, supporting survivors, and advancing lifesaving research and patient services in our community.

Touch A Truck In Palm Springs

Greenacres Summer Internship Program

Looking for a Paid Summer Internship Opportunity?



The City of Greenacres is offering paid summer internships in Finance and Development & Neighborhood Services—a great chance to gain hands-on, real-world experience in local government.

This opportunity is ideal for college students or recent graduates looking to build professional skills, explore career paths, and potentially earn school credit.

Application deadline: February 27

Details & apply: https://ow.ly/Er4U50Y1lsP

Greenacres Educational Scholarship Program

Great news for Greenacres students! The 2026 Educational Scholarship Program is now accepting applications and will award 11 scholarships of $1,500 each to support students pursuing academic, technical, or vocational education.

Eligibility: Open to Greenacres residents

Application Deadline: April 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM

Apply: Online or in person at the Greenacres Community Center, 501 Swain Blvd., Greenacres, FL

Learn more and apply: https://greenacresfl.gov/.../2026-educational-scholarship

If you or someone you know is working toward their educational goals, I encourage you to apply and take advantage of this opportunity.

Meet The New Chief Of Police For The Village Of Palm Springs

Free Tax Filing In Palm Springs

Food Finder Map

Commissioner Joel G. Flores

561-355-2203

jgflores@pbc.gov

Vivian Rodriguez

Chief of Staff

vrodriguez@pbc.gov

Dianni Mendez

Director of

Constituent Services

dmendez@pbc.gov

Yaneli Mata

Director of

Communications

ymata@pbc.gov

Leslie Velasquez

District 3 Intern

lvelasquez2@pbc.gov

HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL

Escríbase para recibir nuestro boletín informativo en español!