At its March 13, 2018, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:
 
Opioid litigation – selected the team of the Ferrero Law Firm, P.A., Napoli Skolnik, PLLC. LLC, and Stull, Stull & Brody and approved a contract for professional legal services to pursue litigation on behalf of the county for costs, damages and other relief associated with the opioid epidemic in Palm Beach County.
 
Housing liaison – discussed the creation of a new ad valorem-funded position in the Department of Housing and Economic Sustainability to serve as the housing liaison at a minimum starting salary of $77,151 plus benefits. The proposed position will be brought forward for consideration as part of the overall 2019 budget cycle.
 
Workforce housing – approved the Workforce Housing Program down payment assistance strategy for low, moderate and middle-income groups. A portion of the $3 million Workforce Housing Trust Fund, which developers pay into in lieu of constructing required lower-priced units, will be used to provide down payments
 
Inspector General – amended the contract with Inspector General John Carey extending it to June 22, 2022. The amendment modifies the deferred compensation provision and allows for the conversion of sick leave to vacation leave.
 
Work I.D. – approved an amendment to the adult entertainment ordinance requiring work I.D. cards to be renewed every two years to protect vulnerable children and young adults, increasing the fee for a new work I.D. from $75 to $100, and requiring adult entertainment establishments to retain a complete performer roster.
 
Budget – approved a series of budget amendments and transfers in various funds reflecting adjustments for balances brought forward, other revenue sources, reserves and operating expenses. These are necessary to adjust FY 2018 budgets to reflect differences between actual and estimated FY 2017 revenues and expenditures.
 
OCR – approved a series of revisions to the Office of Community Revitalization (OCR) America’s Next Top Neighborhood grant program to include: 1) clarifying the guidelines and simplifying the application; 2) forming a new grant review committee; 3) increasing the grant amount from $5,000 to $10,000; and 4) limiting funding to projects located in specific target areas which are in need of funding assistance.
 
Orange Bowl – accepted an Orange Bowl Legacy Gift donation to pay for improvements at Glades Pioneer Park in Belle Glade. The Orange Bowl Committee has offered to design, permit and construct a project that will include a synthetic athletic field, an electronic scoreboard, goals, entry monument and related Orange Bowl amenities at the park. The agreement requires a 50 percent match not to exceed $1.5 million from the county.
 
Project Knight – conceptually approved a cash grant of $70,000 and an ad valorem tax exemption of up to $650,000 over a six-year period for Project Knight. The company is considering investing $25 million to renovate and equip its existing facility in Palm Beach County and create 100 new jobs over a three-year period. The annualized average wage is $92,124 with an annualized median wage of $64,000; estimated five-year local economic impact is $248 million.
 
Opportunity Zones – approved Opportunity Zone census tracts for Palm Beach County to be approved by the governor. Opportunity Zones are a federal tax incentive designed to subsidize private investment in designated distressed areas. The recommended census tracts are based on areas identified for potential economic development and for mixed-income or affordable rental housing developments.
 
Palm Springs – adopted a resolution denying establishment of the Palm Springs Community Redevelopment Agency.
 
Reentry – authorized the use of general funds to continue reentry services for ex-offenders under the Public Safety Department in the amount of $393,550 and the Frequent User’s System Engagement (FUSE) program under the Criminal Justice Commission in the amount of $100,000. The funds would be available in the event expected federal grant funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program is not released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
 
YMCA – authorized staff to evaluate the potential of forming a cooperative partnership with the YMCA of the Palm Beaches to relocate the existing YMCA branch in Palm Springs to undeveloped land within Lake Lytal Park.
 
Fire Rescue – discussed atypical development costs associated with the proposed acquisition of a 5.09-acre vacant parcel of land in unincorporated western Delray Beach for the development of a Fire Rescue station. Staff was directed to negotiate further with the property owner and update the BCC on options.
 
Ratification – ratified the appointment of Michael Mackey as Fire Rescue Administrator. He has been serving as interim administrator since January.
 
Palm Beach property – adopted a resolution authorizing the conveyance of a .02-acre parcel of property on the east side of North Ocean Boulevard to the Town of Palm Beach. This will allow the town to use the property for its coastal management program and relieves the county of liability and maintenance responsibility.
 
Criminal history records – approved on preliminary hearing and to advertise for public hearing on April 10 the Palm Beach County Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) Ordinance.