At the September 27, 2016, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Animal Care & Control – adopted a series of amendments to the county’s Animal Care & Control ordinance. Effective October 1, commercial operating permits will not be issued to new pet stores and pet dealers selling dogs and cats. Eight existing permitted operators in good standing will be grandfathered in, as long as the animals they sell are obtained from USDA-licensed breeders, dealers and transporters that have no record of animal cruelty or neglect. A permit may be revoked if an operator is cited for two major violations in a five-year period. Major violations include failing to vaccinate an animal for sale, falsifying records, and failing to isolate sick animals. The new rules apply countywide, but individual municipalities may opt out. The board also approved one new full-time Animal Care & Control officer II position.

Baseball – approved a sports development program agreement with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity setting forth the terms by which the state will pay the county $50 million over a period of 25 years to pay a portion of the debt service on bonds issued for construction of the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

SELF – approved an agreement with Solar Energy Loan Fund of St. Lucie County (SELF) to provide energy efficiency retrofit loans to low and moderate-income homeowners in Palm Beach County. SELF partners with the Green Veterans to provide on-the-job training in collaboration with Palm Beach State College and participating contractors including but not limited to Gold Coast Builders, the AFL-CIO and other apprenticeship programs.

Lantana Square – adopted a resolution approving a developer’s request for a brownfield area designation for construction of a retail center to be known as Lantana Square. No county funds are required for implementation.

BDB – approved a five-year agreement with the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) in the aggregate amount of $7.157 million for business recruitment, expansion and retention services and general marketing of the county.

Project Cranium – conceptually approved an economic development incentive grant in the amount of $89,000 over eight years for Project Cranium to expand its operations in Riviera Beach and relocate its regional headquarters. The company plans to invest $11.9 million and create 178 new jobs over a five-year period at an annual average wage of $53,484 and retain 255 existing jobs. The five-year estimated local economic impact is $342 million.

Lifeguards – discussed current policy related to qualifications for Ocean Rescue lifeguards. EMT-certified lifeguards are seeking special-risk pay status with the Florida Retirement System. Staff was directed to bring back a report on comparable wages, required versus voluntary training, and a rewrite of job descriptions for ocean and pool lifeguards.

Roads – agreed to not allow contractors to perform any county road construction work during the first week of a new school year when the project area is in the immediate vicinity of a school.

Vehicles for hire – approved an amendment to the county’s vehicle-for-hire ordinance with regard to reciprocity for vehicle-for-hire companies operating in neighboring counties.

Child Care – sitting as the Child Care Facilities Board, commissioners approved a series of changes to the rules and regulations governing family daycare facilities as recommended by the Child Care Advisory Council and the Florida Department of Health.

Administration – recognized and thanked Assistant County Administrator Shannon R. LaRocque for her 11 years of service with the county. Ms. LaRocque is leaving to become the utilities director for the Village of Wellington.