Email: ddavis@juno-beach.fl.us or DianaDavisJunoBeach@gmail.com

Town Finance Director Michael Ventura presented the Town's proposed budget for 2024-2025. Crafting a budget is a very important task of the Town each year as it reflects our vision, strategy, and civic priorities.

1. Click here for the latest budget presentation
2. Click here for two page budget document
3. Click here for Capital Improvement Plan and funding sources

Michael Ventura is taking a new position and his last day is August 8th. Michael - we appreciate your work and wish you good luck in your future endeavors.

The maximum millage rate was set at 1.8195, which has been the same since 2022. The millage rate per $1,000 dollars of assessed property at 1.8195, will result in the Town collecting 6.45% higher taxes due to increased property values and new builds, which is an increase of $255,671.00. If the Town ultimately adopts a millage rate of 1.7640, where homestead properties do not pay additional taxes to the Town of Juno Beach, then the Town would have to cut its current proposed budget by $128,918.00 or make up this revenue by other sources.

Budget Calendar:

• August 28th- adopt budget and set millage rate
• September 11th - 1st Budget Hearing
• September 25 - 2nd Budget Hearing

2024-2025 Town Budget Areas of Review:

• Current Revenues at maximum millage rate or at a millage rate for no increase in Juno Beach taxes for homestead properties
• Grants and other non-ad valorem tax revenue sources
• Return on Investment and Revenue Forecasts for five-year planning purposes
• Expenses = Operating Costs and Capital Improvement Expenses
• Maintaining adequate Reserves

Note that the budget numbers are fluid and changing as new information is gathered. For example, the Capital Improvement Plan was amended at the Town Council meeting to amend projects listed and to change funding sources.

James Karas was selected as our "strategic plan" consultant. A strategic plan is needed so it is clear that Town Council and Town Staff are working toward the same results that achieves a shared vision and mission for the Town. The strategic plan for Juno Beach could include strategic initiatives to ensure, for example: slow growth, maintaining our unique small-town character & feel, and documentation of process & procedures for organizational excellence. Town Staff could have their key performance indicators for their annual reviews tied to the action plans associated with achieving these strategic initiatives.

The efficiency of Town Council suffers due to an overload of Town Council agenda items that are not prioritized toward achieving “strategic initiatives.” Adopting a strategic plan will bring the Town Staff and Council together on priorities and objectives. It could solve a perceived issue that Town Staff does not know Council priorities because each council member has a different idea on how to resolve a particular issue. The strategic plan will be foundational in drafting our budget next year to ensure that our vision and strategic initiatives are funded. Public input is a key component of the strategic plan.

Volume and Massing for Single-Family Homes: In pursuit of retaining the "charm and character" of our Town, the Town Council asked Len Rubin to share North Palm Beach's code provisions for its one residential zoning district. The code reviewed contained provisions for building site area regulations, including setbacks,building heights, wall treatments, setback for second stories, and dimensions. It was suggested that Floor Area Ratio or Cubic Content Ratio be considered also. The Town Council agreed to look at these provisions for our RS1-RS5 and potentially other zoning districts. However, the Planning and Zoning staff believed that this project would require a consultant to complete and could not commit to a time frame for review.

Tower Height was discussed with an illustration provided for determining residential single family home tower height. The question regarding tower heights allowed for beach front condominium redevelopment will be brought back to Town Council.

For single-family residents in town, garbage bills will increase by 3.75% to $251.16. Waste management gave a presentation on the new garbage containers and new pick-up proposals. The rollout of this program with the new garbage containers will happen two weeks before the new program starts. Garbage pick-up days of the week will change. Townhome residents will be given choices on sizes of containers to be delivered. Recycling, bulk pickup, and vegetation pick-up will not be changed. Stay tuned for more information about the new program.

Maintenance Projects Approved

Sidewalk and Brick Paver Repairs & Maintenance - Town Council approved $50,000, to make repairs to the sidewalk and brick paver inserts on Donald Ross Road and U.S.1 area. Town Council approved seeking a grant for $250,000, for future sidewalk and brick paver repairs for Ocean Drive and other areas. Town Council is seeking additional information on prices to have a concrete frame installed around the pavers for greater stability and better aesthetics.

Pelican Lake Algae Removal - At the Pelican Lake workshop June 27th algae removal was identified as an urgently needed action. While the algae are not a harmful variety, it is unsightly. Town Council approval was not needed.

Pelican Lake Cattail Removal - At the Pelican Lake workshop June 27th the Town's environmental consultant approved the removal of cattails from the southeast portion of the lake in August when it is not nesting season. The Town Council approved a vendor & price for this work, and approved planting low-height bulrush.

*Support for Additional Maintenance - Town Council Goal List for 2024-2025 included unanimous agreement for Town beautification. In my vote for this "goal," beautification meant increased landscaping and maintenance of our Town controlled right of ways, parks, and common areas. My vote was not for more private property code enforcement. I believe that we need improved codes, so that residents know what is expected, but not more code enforcement.

The August 5th Planning and Zoning Meeting will review the Pulte Home Company, LLC forty-unit three-story Townhome proposal for the property that is currently zoned commercial referred to as the "Christmas Tree lot." [click here for AGENDA and Backup materials - P&Z meeting] One of the graphics in the materials for the P&Z Board meeting is included below to show the proposed layout of the townhome community. This project would require re-zoning. Land use planning and the review of proposed development is what shapes our community today and into the future, please share your opinions by email to the Town or at the P&Z Board meeting on the 5th or at our Town Council meeting on the 28th.

The major development and plan amendment to the 700 Ocean Drive Planned Unit Development was heard by the Planning and Zoning Board at their July meeting for a proposed 14,665 square foot home at 714-716 Ocean Drive. [Click here for presentation to the P&Z Board - item #3] The Planning and Zoning Staff did not believe that the project met our Juno Beach code requirements for "harmony" due to its mass & scale, however the P&Z citizen board in their recommendation to Town Council voted "yes" to the proposed project. This major redevelopment will be heard by the Town Council at its August 28th meeting.

Your input and opinions: Public engagement is a vital part of the work that Town Council does for our community. Your comments and thoughts are encouraged and welcomed.

All the Best to you,

Diana Davis

phone: 561-267-7772 official email: ddavis@juno-beach.fl.us

From left to right, Marianne Hosta Vice-Mayor Pro Tem, Diana Davis (me) Council person, Peggy Wheeler Mayor, Jacob Rosengarten Council person,and DD Halpern Vice-Mayor.

Save the Dates: August 5th -Planning and Zoning Board at 4pm, August 7th - Coffee with a Cop & Audit Oversight Committee, August 16th - Council Hour, August 28th - Town Council meeting at 5:30pm.

Click here for the agenda and backup materials for the July 24th Town Council Meeting. Click here to see the video of the July 24th Town Council meeting.