It is with a heavy heart I share that Clinton Forbes, the Executive Director of Palm Tran, tragically passed away on November 2. 

A visionary leader, Clinton tirelessly propelled transit and mobility initiatives in our region, leaving an indelible mark on Palm Beach County and the broader transit industry.

Clinton Forbes will be profoundly missed, and his contributions will be remembered with gratitude and admiration.

On a lighter note, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to each of you who reached out with kind words, support, and encouragement after the recent vote on the GL swap in the Ag Reserve. Your positivity has truly brightened my days, and I'm grateful for each message.

A special thanks to COBWRA for honoring me with the "Good Governance Advocate Award." I look forward to continuing to work together.

I am immensely proud of my fellow commissioners for their dedication in thoroughly reviewing the applicant's proposal.

They fearlessly asked tough questions to guarantee that the project aligns with the best interests of our communities. Their commitment to transparency and accountability is commendable.

As a board, we will persist in making informed decisions that positively impact the entire county. Your ongoing support is invaluable as we navigate these important matters.

Additionally, please mark your calendars for my upcoming FlaMINGLE on January 25, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at South County Civic Center in Delray Beach. I look forward to seeing you!

Best wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday. Michael and I had the pleasure of participating in Boca Helping Hands "Thanksgiving Box Brigade which served nearly 4,000 families!

Below is a recent update from the Engineering and Public Works Department on the Palmetto Park Road Bridge project.

The bridge construction project achieved several milestones, including demolishing concrete approach slabs, excavating around the pile installation site, and removing spoil (waste material). 

Simultaneously, road crews completed tasks such as mowing and pavement marking maintenance. 

Challenges arose during the installation of piles on the west end of the El Rio canal, where unexpected underground debris prompted the use of additional equipment and extended the process beyond the initial estimate. Despite the setback, all piles were eventually installed.

Upcoming work includes concrete placement for pile caps and continued pile driving.The project is now scheduled to be completed in spring 2024. 

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we work to enhance our infrastructure. Your support is invaluable as we navigate through these phases of progress.

In case you haven't heard, the Boca Raton Bowl (game) is returning to FAU stadium on Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ESPN!



The game, which started in 2014, is an annual National Collegiate Athletic Association post-season college football game and has grown into a "can't-miss" community event with hospitality, entertainment, and exposure that is unparalleled!

We anticipate a major economic impact on the entire South Florida region, and Palm Beach County has coordinated a number of events for our residents and visitors to celebrate!

Attending the Boca Raton Bowl Great Chefs Tailgate Showcase to gear up for the game!

Palm Beach County is seeking public input to help identify what is most important to our residents.

Your feedback will play a crucial role in guiding our decisions regarding resource allocation, program development, and service enhancements.

The Parks and Recreation Department is also seeking input for upcoming park improvements.

We invite you to visit our Virtual Open House and the online survey to provide feedback on the needs and priorities for your community's parks and recreation facilities and services.

I recently attended the grand opening for the new dog park, located in Jaycee Park (2600 Federal Highway) in Boynton Beach. 

The dog park features separate areas for large and small dogs, and multiple water and washing stations open from sunrise to sunset daily. 

There are also plenty of shade trees and benches for humans to relax while their dogs play. This new gem in Boynton Beach promises endless tail wags and happy barks!

I know our dogs Zoey, Pepper, and Harvey are thrilled to have a new place to play and socialize.

Don't miss the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County's first exhibit of the season, "Whimsy and Wonder." 

In this exhibition, Florida's flamingos will be represented in all their glory along with a wide array of quirky and beautiful visual creations and will run through Jan. 13, 2024.

But that's not all – the Cultural Council has a season packed with artistic brilliance. Eleven other vibrant exhibitions will also be featured in the Cultural Council’s Solo Gallery in Lake Worth Beach.

I attended the opening reception and even purchased two pieces from local artists Janet Chalif and Ellen Negley. They will be a wonderful addition to my office in January.

Constitutional Tax Collector Anne M. Gannon has initiated the 2023 property tax season by mailing out about 615,000 property tax bills, anticipated to exceed $4 billion.

These funds are vital for supporting essential county public services, including education, healthcare, fire rescue, and libraries.

Property owners can save on taxes by paying early. Deadlines extend until March 31, 2024, with discounts offered for early payments: 4 percent in November, 3 percent in December, 2 percent in January, and 1 percent in February. No discounts apply to payments made in March.

Since 1979, The Lord's Place has been a beacon of hope for Palm Beach County's most vulnerable residents. 

The nonprofit provides comprehensive wrap-around services to break the cycle of homelessness, offering housing, hot meals, job training, reentry services, and more. 

Starting as a small soup kitchen in downtown West Palm Beach, the organization has grown into a multifaceted entity with nearly 15 locations, employing 160 full-time staff members.

They help house over 250 individuals every night, giving them a safe and stable place to call home.

Staff recently attended the grand opening of The Lord's Place new Fortin Family Campus, a 25,000-square-foot client service center located in West Palm Beach.

Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor

Every year, the Board of County Commissioners selects a mayor to preside over commission meetings and serve as the ceremonial head of Palm Beach County government.

I would like to extend my congratulations to fellow commissioner Maria Sachs who was selected to serve as mayor.

A vice mayor is also selected to assume these duties in the absence of the mayor. Congratulations to commissioner Maria Marino for being selected to serve as vice mayor.

The county mayor, introduced by former commissioner Steven Abrams, was created in 2013 and replaced the title of chair. 

The reason for this was to heighten the board’s visibility by increasing public awareness of the role of the commission since the general public identifies more with a mayor than a board chair.

Having a county mayor benefits us regionally when partnering with the mayors of Miami-Dade and Broward counties and provides a stronger voice in Washington and Tallahassee. 

The three most populous counties in Florida are a powerful force when united together on common issues such as economic development, transportation funding and environmental issues including Everglades restoration.

We welcome your feedback on our District 4 newsletter. Please let us know if you found this information helpful and what else you would like to know.