Glades COVID-19 Memorial Luncheon

On October 29th, I attended the COVID-19 Memorial/Vaccination Appreciation Lunch in Belle Glade. During this event, we remembered the more than 140 Glades residents who have died from the virus. We also recognized the nearly 6000 residents who contracted COVID, many of whom are still dealing with lingering effects.

This memorial was the idea of my aide Lisa Wilson, who lost six family members to COVID in a span of three weeks only a few months ago.

I am also humbled to have received a certificate of appreciation for my efforts, along with those of my staff, for our efforts to combat COVID-19 in the Glades region. Moving forward, I will continue to stay vigilant to ensure Glades residents, as well as farmworkers coming to the Glades to help grow the region's agriculture, have access to the healthcare resources they need.

Project Opioid

On November 2nd, I participated in the Business Development Board's Project Opioid launch at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. This was an important opportunity to share with the business community the current state of the opioid crisis and what actions government has taken to combat it. The BDB has partnered with Florida Blue to launch Project Opioid Palm Beach, an effort to build a coalition of business, nonprofit, and faith-based leaders to research the regional impact of opioid abuse, identify the types of treatment and resources available within the community, and develop an actionable strategy to reduce opioid deaths in Palm Beach County.

BCC Briefs for November 2, 2021

At the Nov. 2, 2021 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

COVID-19 Update – received presentation from Dr. Alina Alonso, Palm Beach County Health Department. COVID-19 Delta variant now makes up more than 99.9% of new cases. The county’s daily positivity rate is at 3%; however, the community transmission risk level is still significant, and 65.4% of the population is fully vaccinated. Members of the public are still encouraged to be vaccinated. Monoclonal Antibody Therapy is available at the Westgate Park & Recreation Center for individuals who test positive for COVID-19. More information can be found at www.pbchd.com or at www.hcdpbc.org.

The Board authorized the county administrator to repeal the mask policy for members of the public entering county owned and leased property when Palm Beach County has entered a moderate transmission risk level (10-49.99 new cases per 100,000 persons) and the county’s daily positivity rate has remained below 5% for a minimum of two weeks.

Administration – staff received direction regarding the selection and use of Redistricting Map 8 as a base map with changes as directed by the board. BCC will consider revised Map 8 at the November 23 BCC workshop for the new commission district boundaries, based on the 2020 Census data.

The proposed 2022 State Legislative Agenda was adopted by 6-0 vote.

Engineering & Public Works – approved a preliminary reading and permission to advertise for a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 at 9:30 am. regarding the five-year road plan.

Adopted, by a vote of 6-0, 45 resolutions to initiate eminent domain proceedings necessary for the construction of roadway improvements on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. to south of Orange Blvd.

Housing and Economic Development – authorized the issuance of one or more series of revenue bonds by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority, not to exceed $17,000,000, to finance and refinance a project on behalf of Palm Beach School for Autism Inc. and its related limited liability company.

Office of Financial Management & Budget – received and filed the American Rescue Plan Act 2021 Report; approved an updated fiscal strategy for the spending of ARPA funds based on direction from the Department of Treasury; approved an amendment of $290,730,026 within the fund and established a budget based on the approved fiscal strategy; authorized the county administrator or designee to process budget transfers within the fund to properly account for expenses within the approved fiscal categories.

United Way - accepted the Top Workplace Campaign Award from the United Way of Palm Beach County. County employees raised over $853,000 during the 2020-2021 United Way campaign. Chair of the county's United Way campaign was Public Safety Director Stephanie Sejnoha. County Engineer David Ricks served as co-chair.



Youth Services – received and filed the 2020-2021 Robert Wood Johnson Culture of Health Prize.

Emergency Repair Assistance Available to PBC Residents

Palm Beach County's Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED) has announced the availability of State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Emergency Repairs assistance funds for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

Applications must be submitted online and will be processed on a first submitted, first qualified, first served basis, subject to funding availability by visiting the website here.

Code Enforcement Lien Forgiveness Program

As a reminder, the Board of County Commissioners has approved a Code Enforcement Lien Amnesty program that will provide Palm Beach County property owners/lienholders with a method to clear Code Enforcement liens.

Many property owners have faced economic difficulties due to COVID-19 and this program will assist so they can obtain clear title and allow them to refinance or sell properties. The County has over 1,000 outstanding Code Enforcement liens on residential and non-residential properties. This program will enable property owners/ lienholders to apply to have 100% of the outstanding lien balance forgiven and the lien released. The program will run from October 1, 2021 to November 30, 2021. In order for a property owner/lienholder to participate in the program, the property must be in compliance with all county codes, file an application before November 30, 2021, and pay a $250 nonrefundable application fee.



To apply for this program, visit here. For more information, please contact Marie Jasmine at the Office of Financial Management and Budget at 561-355-4010.