I want to take a moment to thank everyone who sent me support, encouragement and gratitude over the last few weeks. 


My “no” vote on the GL swap in the Ag Reserve came after months of meetings, researching, questioning, tours and more research. I concluded that allowing the development in the previously preserved area known as Hyder West in the Ag Reserve was not something I could support. 


There were many enticements in the north part of the county and civic uses offered in the south to justify this significant policy change. However, there is the crux, and this was about the change in the policy of our managed growth tier system. 


The area known as the Ag Reserve is 22,000+ acres between Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. 


It was identified as an area that needed a more restrictive growth plan due to its proximity to the Everglades and, at the time, its agricultural uses. I will not get bogged down on the development rules for this tier, but needless to say, the original vision was primarily successful. We now stand at 60% preservation land in the Ag Reserve, and that was until this most recent vote.


If we want to return sold/transferred development rights in the Ag Reserve, we should do our due diligence to make deliberate and thoughtful changes to the comprehensive plan as a board of county commissioners. 


This is not something to be upended for one project and one developer. This is about something other than whether GL builds good communities and will deliver on the promises of water projects, parks, civic donations and workforce housing. It is our job to look at the county as a whole and not choose winners and losers based on districts. 


We have a comprehensive plan for a reason, and if modifications need to be made to address changes in circumstance, that is where we should begin. In an effort to create an equal playing field and continue to allow managed growth, everyone should play by the same rules. 


If the rules are not working, we should change them, not make exceptions for a select few. Most importantly, we need the awareness and foresight to understand the consequences of those changes.


I promised myself that an issue must stand on its own merits, no matter how much I may like the presenter, and it has to make sense to me in a way I can make it make sense to you, or I will not vote for it. 


This project, for me, failed on both fronts. It was not an easy decision, and I lost countless hours of sleep leading up to the vote. I followed my conscience and I appreciate all the support that has followed. You may not believe it matters, but it does to me and I thank you.


This item returns to the board at the end of August.


On a lighter note, a huge congratulations to the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority for receiving nearly $72 million to replace 24 rail vehicles, representing 32% of Tri-Rail's fleet.


This is a momentous occasion for the future of this agency and public transportation. I am excited to get on board!

Newsletter

Highlights

A Message from Marci

Memorial Day

Palmetto Park Road Bridge Update

Linton Bascule Bridge Lane Closure

Hurricane Hunter Plane

District Four Roundtable

Mental Health Awareness Month

Governor's Hurricane Conference

Nonprofit Spotlight

Local Gov. 101

Next weekend, we pause to remember Memorial Day which commemorates the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.


The impact of their sacrifices ripples through our communities, and their deaths touch more than just the lives of their loved ones and friends.


We must continue to share their stories to remember what they sacrificed for the rest of us. 


Have a safe holiday weekend with your families at one of the Memorial Day events at the bottom of our newsletter.


Our offices will be closed on Monday, May 29.

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


The bridge reconstruction necessitated re-routing of certain utilities (i.e., water main) since they are attached to the south bridge (eastbound travel) and needed to be done prior to removing the remaining south bridge structure.


The contractor has completed the installation of the wastewater pipelines, however during a pressure test a number of defective pipes were identified. Replacements have been installed and are being tested.


The old pipes will be abandoned and bridge demolition will continue following testing and approval from the Florida Department of Health.


Roadway drainage pipes have been installed on the west side of El Rio Canal and will be completed once the old mains are grouted and out of service.  


The revised project schedule now shows completion in October 2023.


I live nearby and recognize the impact this project is having on residents and businesses and will continue to monitor it closely and provide updates.

Expect road crews on Linton Bascule Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway with Westbound periodic lane closures starting May 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for bridge repair work. 


The expected completion is May 31, 2023, weather permitting. 

We are here to help!

Office Telephone:

561-355-2204

Commissioner Woodward:

mwoodward@pbcgov.org

Caitlin Joyce

cjoyce@pbcgov.org


Christian Wright

cwright@pbcgov.org

Follow us on social media for frequent updates:

Facebook  Instagram

Visit our website:

Web

Meet "Miss Piggy", one of two National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) planes (the other is Kermit) equipped to fly directly into hurricanes to collect valuable data.


Aboard the NOAA plane, I spoke with scientists, pilots and aircrews to learn more about the instruments and equipment used during flight to collect meteorological data.

 

These courageous ‘Hurricane Hunters’ fly the aircraft into some of the most dangerous weather conditions to collect data that aids in determining forecasts and making accurate predictions during hurricanes.


Thanks to the crew members for a terrific tour and for helping keep Palm Beach County residents and the entire Gulf Coast safe.

I recently held my first roundtable with the mayors and managers from some of the municipalities in District 4 at the South County Administrative Complex.


Discussions included beach renourishment, condominium building recertification and upcoming road and traffic signal projects.


It is exciting when municipalities and county representatives collaborate to achieve results on projects and issues within our communities and the state.


Thank you to the municipalities for attending and county staff for the terrific presentations. I am looking forward to working together on behalf of our residents.

Upcoming

Meetings:

BCC Workshop

May 23, 2023

9:30 a.m.

BCC Zoning Hearing

May 25, 2023

9:30 a.m.

Residents may offer comments and/or concerns to the board by filling out a comment card (available in the chambers).

Pictured here (l to r): Robert Kellogg, Manager of South Palm Beach; Bonnie Fischer, Mayor of South Palm Beach; Greg Dunham, Manager of Gulf Stream; Michael Gauger, Palm Beach County Building Division Coordinator; Christine Thrower, Manager of the Village of Golf; Doug Wise, Palm Beach County Building Director; Marci Woodward, Palm Beach County Commissioner; May Cheng, Palm Beach County Traffic Signal Coordinator; Dan Dugger, Manager of Boynton Beach; Marshall Labadie, Manager of Highland Beach; Natasha Moore, Mayor of Highland Beach; Andy Studt, Palm Beach County Environmental Program Supervisor and Joanne Keller, Palm Beach County Deputy Engineer

Experts agree that our nation is facing a mental health crisis, and community resources are more critical than ever.


In our area, 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, a nationally accredited 24/7 suicide and community hotline, provides free and confidential crisis intervention, assessment and referrals to community agencies.


In addition to mental health services, they offer assistance with food, medical clinics, senior services, foreclosure prevention, parenting information and special need services.


Another resource available is the county's Community Services Department which works in partnership with local agencies to assist residents with emergency services such as food vouchers, housing, rent and utility payments.


The county allocates millions of dollars for services in conjunction with similar agencies countywide.


If you or someone needs help, please call 211.

More information

Constituent

Services:

  • Community Outreach


  • Economic Development


  • Environmental Protection


  • Mental Health/ Substance Abuse Disorders


  • Planning, Zoning & Building



  • Infrastructure


  • Public Safety


  • Transportation


  • Community & Veteran Services

District 4 is proud to support the "Get Your Green On" campaign which aims to raise awareness about mental health and how essential it is to our overall health and wellbeing 

Palm Beach County hosted the Governor's Hurricane Conference at the convention center in West Palm Beach. The event focused on hurricane planning, preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. 


Colorado State University's hurricane forecast projected 13 named storms, with two of those storms predicted as major hurricanes.


While county emergency officials are prepared, we urge everyone to take the necessary steps in preparing for a potential active hurricane season and access the resources below.


  • PBC DART (app) provides vital information such as storm surge evacuation areas, flood zones, shelter locations, building supply stores with emergency generators and gas stations that remain open. 


  • AlertPBC is the county's Emergency Alert & Notification System that notifies users of imminent threats via text message, email, or telephone calls.


Boca Helping Hands (BHH) is a local nonprofit dedicated to serving the south county community by providing food, emergency financial assistance (i.e., rent, utilities and childcare) and job training.


The programs are designed to meet the needs of individuals, children and families with the goal of creating self-sufficiency through employment.


They also offer access to affordable medical, dental and behavioral care through a partnership with Genesis Community Health and Florida Atlantic University's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing Community Based Clinics.


BHH is always in need of volunteers, donations and food for their pantry.

More information

Touring BHH's food pantry

Constitutional Officers


Constitutional officers were established by the Florida Constitution and are independently elected officials.


Palm Beach County has seven constitutional officers who manage their offices separately from the Board of County Commissioners including:



Additionally, they establish the budgets for their offices, independent of the operating budget set by the Board of County Commissioners.


Tax Collector

Meeting with Tax Collector Anne Gannon

Palm Beach County's Tax Collector Anne Gannon is an elected constitutional officer with a distinct and important function for our residents.


Under her leadership, the office provides a wide range of services on behalf of local, state and federal agencies, including real estate and tangible personal property taxes, local business tax and tourist development tax.


Some other responsibilities include motor vehicle and vessel services, driver licenses, digital fingerprinting, hunting and fishing licenses, SunPass transponders and more!


The office is funded solely by the fees from the services they provide, and excess revenue is distributed to local taxing authorities in proportion to the amount of tax levied.

More information

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.

Fruit Tree Giveaway

Free tree giveaway at Mounts Botanical Garden on Saturday June 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on a first-come, first served basis - no residency restricts!


Species Include:

Gumbo Limbo, June plum, Simpson’s stopper, soursop, and starfruit.

More information

Bicycle Safety Survey

Help the Transportation Planning Agency develop the 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan by sharing your feedback on how to make bicycling better for everyone in Palm Beach County


Survey closes on Wednesday, May 31.

Take survey

Memorial Day Happenings

 Memorial Day Ceremony (5/29)

Take part in a ceremony featuring community speakers, drills and the Coastmen Chorus.


Veterans Park

9400 W. Palmetto Park Rd.

Boca Raton 33428

Monday from 9:30 - 11 a.m.

Concert Under the Stars (5/29)

Enjoy a free concert under the stars with spirited patriotic and American favorites. 


Mizner Park Amphitheater

590 Plaza Real 

Boca Raton 33428

Monday from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach Service (5/29)

Family-friendly Memorial Day service honoring service dogs and military with music, wreath presentation and dove release.


 Palm Beach Memorial Park

 3691 Seacrest Blvd.

 Lantana 33462

Monday from 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.