As the month of May transitions us from Spring to Summer, there is much to celebrate, as our students of all ages rise a grade, or graduate from high school and college and begin to prepare for their next stage in life. To all of you who have a graduate, we wish them congratulations, and we celebrate their accomplishments with you.

There will also be transitions in the County Center, as we thank County Administrator Verdenia Baker for her service, and wish her well as she begins an exciting new chapter in life!

I have full faith and confidence in the selection process to fill the County Administrator job, and I'm pleased that we are receiving a tremendous amount of interest from highly qualified candidates, in response to our advertisements of the position around the country.

-Sara

As the nation commemorates National Law Enforcement Week, we pause today to remember the lives of the some of our own local heroes, who were felled while serving our community. We continue to grieve with and pray for their families and colleagues.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Deputies

Luis Paez, Jr - EOW November 21, 2024

Ralph Waller, Jr - EOW November 21, 2024

Ignacio Diaz - EOW November 25, 2024

May is Military Appreciation Month. The United States is fortunate to have a volunteer force of men and women willing to protect our freedoms. If you are currently serving, or have served, we thank you for your sacrifice. If you are the family of a service member, we express our gratitude to you, as well. We know that when a loved one serves, the entire family shares in the sacrifice.

On May 1st, Judge Francine M. Folks ruled in favor of the Florida Department of Transportation in the years-long litigation over the expansion of State Road 7 from Northlake Boulevard to Okeechobee Boulevard, which will provide much needed relief to the traffic congestion that particularly affects District 6 residents.

I discussed the ruling with WPTV, Channel 5 following Judge Folks' ruling. Their video coverage of the issue is here:

The link to the full article, and more of their coverage of the history of the lawsuit is here:

The Health District of Palm Beach County, in its ongoing effort to improve healthcare access and outcomes for county residents, has partnered with Tampa General Hospital to create the state's only rural teaching hospital in the Glades community. Tampa General Hospital is one of the nation's premier teaching hospitals, and an innovator in life-saving care. I encourage residents in the Glades and surrounding area to learn more about the healthcare options offered at Lakeside Medical Center.

BCC Briefs for April 22, 2025

At the April 22, 2025, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action: 

Administration - appointed Marcella Montesinos, primary member, and Humberto Rivera, alternate, as the District 3 representatives to the County Administrator Task Force. 

Received and filed an alternative process proposed by Vice Mayor Sara Baxter for the transparent selection of a new county administrator.

Recognized Sherry Howard, Deputy Director of Housing and Economic Development, on her retirement after 30 years of service to Palm Beach County.

Airports – approved food, beverage, and retail concession agreement, to include dietary options, inclusion of KaPow Noodle Bar, and locally grown food when possible, with Host Hudson for the development and operation of Concourse A, Concourse B, and portions of the main terminal at Palm Beach International Airport. 

Approved food, beverage, and retail concession agreement, to include dietary options, inclusion of Plum Market concept and locally grown food when possible, with Paradies Lagardere @ PBI, LLC for the development and operation of Concourse C and portions of the main terminal at Palm Beach International Airport.

County Attorney – approved motion and permission to advertise the request to schedule a private meeting on May 6, 2025, 1 p.m., in the McEaddy Conference Room, for an attorney–client session between the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administrator, the County Attorney, Chief Assistant Attorney, and Assistant County Attorneys to discuss settlement negotiations in pending litigation re: Avenir Development, LLC V. Palm Beach County. 

Financial Management & Budget – received and filed a presentation by the Property Appraiser giving an update on the progression of values in residential, commercial and industrial properties to date.

Housing & Economic Development – approved an Heirs’ Property Wealth Protection fund agreement with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta in the amount of $500,000 and a budget transfer of $500,000 in the Housing Initiative Fund to recognize the required local match allocated to the project. 

District 6 Vice Mayor Sara Baxter

Sbaxter@pbc.gov

561-355-2206

Jon Carter

Chief of Staff III

JCarter@pbc.gov

Sasha Lopez

Deputy Chief of Staff II

SLopez1@pbc.gov

Crystal Scalese

Deputy Chief of Staff I

CScalese@pbc.gov