March 25, 2022

District 6 Update

On Sunday, March 20th, I appeared on WPTV's To the Point. Host Michael Williams interviewed me on an important subject affecting all of us--housing affordability. I want to thank him for the opportunity to discuss this issue, one of the most challenging facing Palm Beach County. I recognize the struggle facing our residents as I'm dealing with it too. My own rent went up 25% and as a single mom of three college-age children, I can attest to how difficult these increases are to handle. I'm committed to continue working with my colleagues on the County Commission to come up with solutions that can be implemented at the local level to help our residents deal with our housing affordability crisis.

During the episode, WPTV's political analyst, Brian Crowley, offered unexpected comments about me that I will always cherish. He said, "She is the kind of politician we need more of in the State of Florida...she's thoughtful, she tends to try to work with the opposition and reach compromises, she doesn't throw bombs...last week she was helping to build a house for Habitat for Humanity out in the Glades...we need more of that on both sides." Thank you, Brian! This has always been my approach in serving the public and how I feel elected officials can get the most done for our constituents. It's wonderful to have those efforts seen and appreciated, and I hope my work serves as an example to others.

To watch the interview, click here.

National Farmworker Awareness Week Proclamation

On March 22, I presented a proclamation declaring March 25-31, 2022, as National Farmworker Awareness Week in Palm Beach County. This proclamation offers an opportunity to recognize the essential workers who feed our nation, bring attention to the multiple challenges farmworkers face, and recognize the important contributions they make to our daily lives.

Pictured here (l to r) are Assistant County Administrator Reginald Duren, Community Services Department (CSD) Public Information Services Manager Elizabeth Harfmann, CSD Program Manager Natalie Diaz Rodriguez, CSD Division Director Taruna Malhotra, Commissioner McKinley, CSD Community Outreach Specialist Maria Zamora, CSD Farmworker Program Coordinator Yrinea Del Bosque, and CSD Director James Green.

National Farmworker Awareness Week Proclamation_3.22.22.jpg

Giraffe Awards

It was an honor to be nominated for a Giraffe Award in the Government category! The Giraffe Awards were held on March 24th. I want to thank the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County for holding this event to recognize the many incredible women of distinction in our County. Congratulations to all the winners, including my friend, Katrina Long-Robinson, who won in the Government category!

Commissioner McKinlay with fellow Giraffe Award nominee, County Commissioner Maria Marino.

Women's History Month Proclamation

Last week, I presented a proclamation declaring March 2022 as Women's History Month. This important proclamation recognizes contributions and achievements that women have made in our society. This year is the 174th anniversary of the Women's Rights Movement, and through Women's History Month we honor the unyielding efforts women have undertaken to secure rights and representation.

l - r: Theresa LePore, Dawn Marie, Commissioner McKinlay, and Heather Landstrom.

Women_s History Month Proclamation Photo_3.14.22.jpg

District 6 Project Scheduling Report

Each month, the Transportation Planning Agency provides a report to stakeholders, compiling information from the Florida Department of Transportation and partner agencies on road project scheduling. The below are projects in District 6. Dates are subject to change.

LOCATION	TYPE OF WORK	LEAD AGENCY	PHASE MILESTONE	DATE
Southern Blvd/SR-80 at SR-7/US-441	Add Turn Lanes	FDOT	Initial Engineering	3/3/22
SR-7 From 60th ST to Northlake Blvd	New Road Construction	FDOT	Letting	August 22 expected to be delayed, pending legal outcome
SR-7 From Okeechobee Blvd to 60th St	Add Lanes & Reconstruct	FDOT	Letting	August 22 expected to be delayed, pending legal outcome
Okeechobee Blvd at Folsom Rd	Roundabout	Palm Beach County	Kickoff Meeting	5/11/22
Okeechobee Blvd from A Rd to Folsom Rd	Bike path/trail	Palm Beach County	Kickoff Meeting	5/11/22
SR-25/US-27 at 27Miles North of the I-75/US-27 Interchange	New bridge-no added capacity	FDOT	Initial Field Review	4/12/22
SR-700/Conners Hwy from North of 1st St to West of SR-80	Resurfacing	FDOT	Constructability Plans	2/25/22
State Market Rd from SR-15 to US-441/E Main St	Resurfacing	FDOT	Agency Scope Review	3/7/22
SR-80 from SR-25/US-27 to East of Glades Glen Dr	Resurfacing	FDOT	Constructability Plans	3/15/22
SR-715 from SR-80 to W of Canal St South	Resurfacing	FDOT	Constructability Plans	3/15/22
State Market Rd from SR-15 to US-441/E Main St	Resurfacing	FDOT	Initial Engineering	4/6/22
SR-15/US-441 from South of Shirley Dr to East Main St	Resurfacing	FDOT	Letting	4/27/22
SR-7/US-441 from North of Southern Blvd/SR-80 to Okeechobee Blvd/SR-704	Resurfacing	FDOT	PSE Meeting	5/16/22

Anquan Boldin Scholarship Deadline Approaching

The deadline to apply for a scholarship from Anquan Boldin's Q81 Foundation is April 15th.

"On an annual basis, The Anquan and Dionne Boldin Scholarship Foundation awards four $10,000 scholarships over the course of four years to high school graduates. In addition to the financial need, each student must demonstrate academic excellence and show leadership in their community."

To learn more and apply, visit here.

Operation Green Light

The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's annual driver license reinstatement event returns March 28 through April 1. Operation Green Light allows customers an opportunity to pay overdue court-ordered obligations, while saving in additional fees. For more information, visit here.

Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Assistance

Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation assistance funding is available f income eligible homeowners, residing in the unincorporated area of Palm Beach County, with substantial rehabilitation to correct code violations or items that will become a code violation. NOTE: Applicant must provide a statement on how their household was financially impacted by COVID. PROPERTY’S ASSESSED VALUE CANNOT EXCEED $352,371.

ARPA Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program applications will be available online by visiting the website at https://pbcgov.com/HED beginning Monday, April 11, 2022 at 8:00 am – Friday, May 13, 2022 at 11:59 pm (or until 70 applications have been submitted). Applications will be processed on a first submitted, first qualified, first served basis, subject to funding availability.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: ALL applicants are required to attend a Virtual Mandatory Orientation prior to application submittal. Interested parties may register at https://survey.pbcgov.com/s3/HED-Owner-Occupied-Housing-Rehabilitation.

For additional information, please contact:

Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development

Mortgage and Housing Investments Division

Telephone: (561) 233-3600

Email: HEDverify@pbcgov.org