​At the May 17, 2016, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

infrastructure surtax – adopted an ordinance imposing a one-cent countywide infrastructure surtax and ballot language for a November 2016 referendum. If approved by voters, the surtax would begin January 1, 2017, and end on or before December 31, 2026. The estimated $2.7 billion generated over a period of 10 years would be distributed as follows: School Board, 50%; Palm Beach County, 30%; municipalities, 20%. Oversight committees will be created to audit spending for compliance with approved projects. A sunset provision calls for ending the surtax earlier than 10 years, if the $2.7 billion has been reached before September 1 of any year prior to December 31, 2026.

Fire Rescue – directed legal staff to send a letter to the Florida Attorney General seeking an opinion on a revenue-neutral emergency fire-rescue services and facilities surtax.

CRA – directed staff to draft an interlocal agreement with Lake Clarke Shores town officials for a resolution creating a new community redevelopment agency (CRA) within the town of Lake Clarke Shores.

quiet zones – adopted a resolution authorizing the county administrator or a designee to respond with a letter of no objection to municipalities wishing to establish municipal quiet zones at county-maintained railroad crossings. Several municipalities along the FEC rail line have expressed a desire to create quiet zones due to the anticipated increase in train traffic from the All Aboard Florida/Brightline project.

Airports – approved the purchase of two parcels located west of Runway 10L at Palm Beach International Airport: a .13-acre parcel near the northwest corner of Military Trail and Bertram Street acquired for $265,000 and a .27-acre parcel on the east side of Post Road, west of Military Trail and south of Wallis Road acquired for $240,000. Both purchase prices are the appraised fair market values.

active shooter – received a briefing on an active shooter incident survival training program to be required of all county employees.

Planning, Zoning & Building – ratified the appointment of Patrick Rutter as director of the Planning, Zoning & Building Department. He replaces Rebecca Caldwell who is retiring. Mr. Rutter had been deputy director of the Planning Division.

retirement – acknowledged Liz Bloeser who is retiring as director of Financial Management & Budget and thanked her for many years of service to Palm Beach County.