BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — As a service to our readers, BocaNewsNow.com is pleased to provide the quick read briefs provided by the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners, covering the Board’s actions on current issues and events.
Please note this is provided directly by the County.
Hospital liens – directed staff to prepare an ordinance authorizing hospitals in Palm Beach County to place a lien on the proceeds of settlements or judgments in order to receive payment for services rendered to a patient.
Economic development – conceptually approved a Job Growth Incentive Grant in the amount of $36,000, to be matched by the city of Palm Beach Gardens, for Project Opaleye. The company is relocating its headquarters and plans to make a $9 million investment to purchase and renovate an existing building in Palm Beach Gardens.
Budget – authorized staff to submit proposed millage rates for the FY 2015 budget to the Property Appraiser’s Office. The proposed countywide (non-voted), Library, and Fire Rescue MSTU rates are at the current millage rate and above rollback. Jupiter Fire MSTU’s proposed rate is above the current rate and above rollback. Public hearings for next year’s budget will be held September 8 and September 22, at 6 p.m., in the commission chambers.
Non-ad valorem special assessments – authorized a public hearing for approval of the use the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem special assessments for water and street improvements and nuisance abatement and adoption of the non-ad valorem special assessment roll.
Convention Center hotel – approved an amendment to the hotel lease with CityPlace Hotel, LLC, increasing the Convention Center hotel site by .05 acre to allow sufficient land for amenities.
Transit Village – received a status report on the Transit Village Project and approved a parking easement agreement with Transit Village, LLC, for the use of 25 parking spaces by Palm Tran employees at the TV’s proposed parking garage.
Roads — approved mid-year amendments to the Palm Beach County Five-Year Road Program.
Employment diversity – directed staff to draft an amendment to the county’s non-discrimination policy requiring entities wishing to do doing business with the county to include their non-discrimination policies with proposals/bids.
Action Plan – approved the Palm Beach County Action Plan for FY 2014-2015 and authorized the county mayor to execute the necessary forms and certifications for submission to HUD through the Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant, and HOME Investment Partnership programs.
Water Utilities – approved on preliminary reading and to advertise for public hearing on August 19 amendments to the Water Utilities Tampering Ordinance reducing the fine for a first offense for service account holders for tampering or unauthorized connection, and also allowing the Water Utilities department to impose costs for damages to the utility system or assets on the account holder.
Community Services – approved funding allocations totaling $12.25 million for FY-2015 for financially assisted agencies, youth violence/diversion, and summer camp scholarship programs.
Nuisance abatement — approved an ordinance repealing the county’s Nuisance Abatement Ordinance and dissolving the Nuisance Abatement Board of Palm Beach County.
Sexual offenders — approved an amendment to the county’s Sexual Offender and Sexual Predator Residence Prohibition Ordinance to make it consistent with state law. The distance that sexual offenders/predators may live from specified locations where children regularly congregate is reduced to 1,000 feet, and designated public school bus stops will no longer be listed as specified locations.
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