Palm Beach County Commission
District 4
From the desk of
Vice Mayor Robert S. Weinroth
2020 Census: Everyone Counts!
April 1, 2020 is Census Day! This is the once per decade count of population and housing units throughout the country.
Florida is the third largest state in the United States and Palm Beach County is the third largest county in the State of Florida. It is imperative that we account for every person in a household within our county as well as the state.

Responding is important . The 2020 Census will influence community funding and congressional representation for the next decade. Each person counted equates to approximately $1,600 per year in federal funding.

Currently, the population of Palm Beach County is approximately 1.5 million people. This equates to $2.4 billion a year or $24 billion over 10 years for education, health care, housing, transportation, infrastructure and other programs and services funded by the federal government. Also, it may result in additional congressional representation for our state based upon the total response to the Census. New Census data will also impact redistricting of county and municipal commission districts.

Responding is confidential. The Census Bureau is bound by federal law to keep your information confidential and cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home or business, even to law enforcement agencies. The law ensures your private data is protected and your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. The answers you provide are only used to produce statistics, and is so important for our quality of life in Palm Beach County.

Prepare to be counted. Each household will receive a notice in mid-March to complete the Census including directions on how to complete it online or by telephone.

Everyone living at the address counts – grand and great-grandparents, parents and guardians, children of all ages, in-laws, relatives, extended family members, friends, roommates, and room renters.

You are a trusted voice.  Share this information with your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Together we must ensure each person in every household in Palm Beach County is counted to ensure on full allocation of federal resources and allocation of congressional representation.

The U.S. has counted its population every 10 years since 1790. It is mandated by the Constitution. All persons in the U.S. age 18 years and older, without regard to citizenship, are legally obligated to answer census questions.

If you would like to learn more about the 2020 Census, please visit www.pbcgov.com .
Census Timeline
March 12-20:  an invitation to respond online to the 2020 Census (some households will also receive paper questionnaires.)

March 16-24 : a reminder letter will be sent

If you have not responded:

March 26 - April 3:  expect a reminder postcard

April 8 - 16:  Another reminder letter and paper questionnaire

April 20-27 :  A final reminder postcard prior to an enumerator being dispatched to conduct an “in person” interview.
Coronavirus Update
The Board of County Commissioners along with local health officials, state and federal agencies are carefully monitoring coronavirus (COVID-19).  We urge everyone to remain diligent in taking certain precautions as recommended by the Center for Disease Control , one of the best sources for information concerning the coronovirus. 

Below are some recommendations on preventative actions:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have  specific guidance for travelers .


Nonprofit Spotlight: The Spirit of
Giving Network
The Spirit of Giving Network is a collaborative, nonprofit organization with a focus on children and families in Palm Beach County. The organization provides a forum where nonprofits and community supporters share information, resources and best practices.

Currently, there are more than 65 network nonprofit organizations meeting on a monthly basis and their objective is to improve services while addressing challenges through internal and external partnerships.

The Spirit of Giving Network has many projects throughout the year which help serve the community. Their two signature projects are the Community Back to School Bash and the Holiday Gift Drive.

The Back to School Bash provides at-risk children the opportunity to begin school with new backpacks and supplies so they have the tools they need to learn. Also provided are free haircuts, healthy snacks, medical testing, and new shoes.

The Spirit of Giving Network, in partnership with the Junior League of Boca Raton, provides holiday gifts to in-need children in Palm Beach County through the Holiday Gift Drive. This is an annual drive ensuring the holiday wishes of over 5,000 children come true.

For more information, visit www.spiritofgivingnetwork.com/
BCC Briefs
At the February 11, 2020, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

John Prince Park – directed staff to develop and present a comprehensive action plan for the assessment of homeless people living in John Prince Park and the delivery of the necessary services to assist them.

Youth homelessness – accepted a HUD Youth Homelessness Demonstration Grant agreement in an amount up to $147,970, to support development of a coordinated community plan to prevent and end youth homelessness in Palm Beach County. Two grant-funded positions with a required 25 percent in-kind match were approved. These positions will be eliminated if federal funding is discontinued.

IFAHAP – approved revised guidelines for the Impact Fee Affordable Housing Assistance Program. IFAHAP makes impact fee interest earnings available to developers to offset impact fees due on new affordable housing construction. In return, developers accept restrictions ensuring affordability to households with incomes no greater than 140 percent of area median income.

Project Jacobson – approved a cash grant of up to $1.9 million over a 10-year period and an ad valorem tax exemption of up to $400,000 over a 10-year period for Project Jacobson. The company is considering locating a manufacturing facility in Belle Glade, investing $45.5 million to acquire approximately 85 acres of land and construct and equip a 140,000-square-foot facility. The project would create 200 new jobs at an annualized average wage of $38,000. The estimated five-year economic impact to the county is over $270 million!

HOME – approved five HOME Investment Partnerships Program awards totaling $2.55 million for loans to developers of affordable housing. These are federal grant funds requiring a 25 percent local match provided by state SHIP grant funds: 1) $550,000 to build Flagler Station, a 94-unit multifamily rental project, including 10 HOME-assisted units in West Palm Beach; 2) $1 million to build Quiet Meadows, a 132-unit senior and disabled multifamily rental project, including 20 HOME-assisted units in Belle Glade; 3) $500,000 to build Heron Estates, a 79-unit townhome-style rental project, including 10 HOME-assisted units in Riviera Beach; 4) $185,000 to construct two HOME-assisted single-family homes located at 3974 Dale Road in Palm Springs; and 5) $315,672 to construct three HOME-assisted single-family homes in western Palm Beach County, one in Belle Glade and two in Pahokee.

El Cid Apartments – adopted a resolution approving the issuance of Housing Finance Authority of Palm Beach County multifamily housing revenue bonds in the amount of $17.5 million to finance the costs of acquiring, constructing, renovating and equipping a 72-unit multifamily rental housing facility known as El Cid Apartments, located at 315 Almeria Road in West Palm Beach.

LEED Certification – authorized the county’s participation in the 2020 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Cities and Communities grant program. The county was one of 20 local governments, nationally, selected based upon a demonstrated commitment to and leadership in resilience and sustainability.

Legislative agenda – approved the proposed 2020 federal legislative agenda to be lobbied during the upcoming 2020 federal legislative session in Washington. New agenda items include net neutrality, the Davis Bacon Act, coral reef protection and restoration, Lake Okeechobee operations, derelict vessels, Next Generation 911, opportunity zone designations with the US Treasury, veterans homelessness, the Mental Health Parity and Substance Use Disorder Act, e-rate and universal funding. To view a copy of the legislative agenda, go to www.pbcgov.org .

Bond issue – agreed to place on the November 2020 ballot a $150 million Environmental General Obligation Bond issue. Additionally, staff was directed to research possibly placing a second $150 million General Obligation Bond Issue on the November ballot to address workforce/affordable housing and projects to assist homeless individuals in the county.

Memorial – directed staff to prepare a resolution to rename a section of State Road 715 near the Palm Beach County Glades Airport in Pahokee in memory of Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Wallace and Deputy Sheriff Donta J. Manuel who were killed in the line of duty in 2007.
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