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December 10, 2021

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This Week's Highlights


December 6th was a great day. I started it at a Palm Beach Sheriff's Office & Palm Beach County Fire Rescue training session for equestrian emergencies. This session was held in District 6 at the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center in Loxahatchee Groves. I also learned about the benefits of equine therapy for PTSD treatment. I want to thank all of the first responders for their training efforts to ensure our riders and horses can be assisted quickly and effectively.

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That evening, I spoke at the Palm Beach County Farm Bureau Annual Dinner about the good things the County is doing for agriculture and the importance of building strong relationships with agricultural partners across the U.S. I want to thank Jessica Clasby for inviting me and Bedner's Farm Fresh Market for hosting the Farm Bureau.

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Steve Bedner and Commissioner McKinlay

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L - R: Jessica Clasby, Commissioner McKinlay, PBC Farm Bureau President Colin Friedrich


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Commissioner McKinlay speaking to farmers

NACo Board of Directors Meeting

 

Last week I attended the National Association of Counties Board of Directors Meeting and Large Urban County Caucus Symposium in DeKalb County, Georgia.


In addition to attending the Board meeting and meeting with White House officials, we also toured CHRIS 180 (a wraparound child welfare program with housing), Blackhall Studios (a successful example of how film and television economic programs can have a multi-billion dollar impact on a state), New Black Wall Street Market (an entrepreneurial startup program for emerging small black business owners), and also the Metro Atlanta Urban Farm, teaching urban communities and schoolchildren the importance of farming and healthy nutrition.

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Belle Glade Housing Authority Audit

 

Two years ago I called attention to the deplorable conditions at the Belle Glade Housing Authority's Okeechobee and Osceola Centers, the nation's largest USDA-supported farmworker housing complex. I urged the Florida Legislature to conduct an audit of the Authority. I'm happy to share that the audit was completed and presented last week to the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee. The Auditor General disclosed nine findings against the Authority, validating my concerns. Thankfully, under their new management, conditions have greatly approved at the Okeechobee and Osceola complexes, with additional improvements on the way.


I want to thank everyone who helped me bring increased oversight to the Authority and get this audit approved, including Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, late Congressman Alcee Hastings, former USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, and State Representative Rick Roth. This is a shining example where government leaders, no matter which party they belong to, worked together to improve the lives of underserved families. I also want to thank NBC News for the important story they published in 2019, investigating the conditions at the Belle Glade complex as well as those at public rural housing complexes across the country.


To read the full audit, please click here.

Final Redistricting Map

 

The final redistricting map for the seven County Commission districts has been approved. To read more about the redistricting process, please click here.

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New Multifamily Housing Coming to Pahokee


I'm excited to share that the County Commission approved the issuance of $14 million in multifamily housing revenue bonds this week for Everglades Townhomes in Pahokee! These bonds will finance the costs of acquiring, constructing, and equipping this multifamily housing facility of approximately 60 units, located at 200 S. Barfield Highway (the old Pahokee hospital). The project will also be partially funded by a USDA Rural Development Grant. These units will only be rented to those whose household incomes do not exceed 80% of area median income (currently $68,480 for a family of 4).


This is another step the County has taken to address the housing affordability crisis. I want to thank County staff, the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, Pahokee Mayor Keith Babb and the City Commission, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the roles they played in helping bring this project forward.

Orange and Blue


When you make a bet on the Florida Gators vs FSU football game and lose, you pay up! This Nole sported some orange and blue at the December 7th County Commission meeting, which was appropriate given that the Commission discussed approval of a land contribution to the University of Florida for a new Palm Beach County campus!


Pictured here with Assistant County Administrators Patrick Rutter and Todd Bonlarron (both Gators!).

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Grocery Card Program


The Palm Beach County Community Services Department (CSD) has launched a new Grocery Card Program for eligible Palm Beach County residents. The department is issuing $400 pre-loaded grocery cards to be used for food purchases within the county. The program will end when the funding source has been depleted.


To qualify, at least one or more individuals within a household must meet the following criteria:


·        Qualifies for unemployment or experienced a reduction of household income, or incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardships due to COVID-19; and,

·        Has not received a food card in the past from Palm Beach County Community Services Department; and,

·        Has a household income at or below 200% Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG).


All participants must be able to provide documentation to prove they were impacted financially by the COVID-19 crisis. Applications must be submitted online; this program is a limited-time offer and is subject to funding availability.

 

For a full list of eligibility requirements and to apply, visit www.FoodAssistancePBC.org

 

For additional information, please contact the CSD’s Contact Center at 561-355-4700. 

In Closing


For rental assistance, click here: Emergency Rental Assistance Program


To find vaccine sites near you, click here: Interactive Vaccine Locator


Health Care District Weekly Vaccination Schedule

Commissioner Melissa McKinlay

(561) 355-2206

mmckinlay@pbcgov.org


Kelley Burke

Chief of Staff

(561) 355-2206

kburke@pbcgov.org

Joseph Sophie

Senior Legislative Aide

(561) 355-2206

jsophie@pbcgov.org


Lisa Wilson

Legislative Aide

(561) 996-4814

awilson1@pbcgov.org

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