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Jeff Koons - Biography

 

John F. “Jeff” Koons was first elected to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners in November 2002 and re-elected to his second term in November 2006.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Miami University, and for 30 years was employed with the Fort Lauderdale/Palm Beach Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, beginning as a delivery driver and succeeding to Vice President of Community Relations.  He has resided in West Palm Beach since 1972 and is the father of three grown daughters.

Commissioner Koons has a long history of community service, having entered public service through his leadership role in neighborhood associations. He has served on boards and committees for numerous social service agencies, and cultural, educational and governmental organizations.  He held office for 11 years on the West Palm Beach City Commission, also serving as Mayor in 1991 and Commission President in 1989 and 1997-1999.

As a County Commissioner, Jeff Koons has utilized the knowledge and experience gained through his extensive community involvement to address the needs of the diverse populations that make up District 2.  A long-time supporter of the arts, Commissioner Koons works with local cultural groups and the School District to provide more opportunities for children and youth to have greater access to visual and performing arts.

One of Commissioner Koons’ main priorities is the revitalization and redevelopment of blighted neighborhoods, which includes the creation of more affordable housing for our workforce, seniors and young families, the development of neighborhood parks and the installation of water mains, paved roads and sidewalks.  Mr. Koons works closely with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department in solving problems in high-crime areas through county-funded programs, including street lighting installations to deter criminal activity.

Known for his knowledge of transportation issues, Mr. Koons has focused his efforts on improving transit options, including rapid transit bus corridors and establishing a dedicated funding source for regional transportation projects.  He has taken the lead in facilitating the permitting of additional bus benches and shelters throughout the urban area to better serve our fixed route transit riders and has supported expansion of paratransit services for the elderly, the economically disadvantaged, and the disabled. 

Commissioner Koons has served as Chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) since 1993.  The MPO is responsible for transportation planning and programming in Palm Beach County and directs how and where available state and federal dollars for transportation improvements will be spent.  In addition, Commissioner Koons served on the Regional Transportation Organization beginning in 1999, which evolved into the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).  He has served on the RTA Board since November 2002, as Chairman in 2005-2006, and is currently Vice Chairman.  RTA operates Tri-Rail, South Florida’s commuter rail service from Miami to the Palm Beaches.

In Commissioner Koons’ role as the Board’s appointee to the Children’s Services Council, he actively supports quality preschool and after-school programs in our public schools and is a strong advocate for fully funding the state’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten program.  He also is currently helping to facilitate planning efforts for schools in the county’s urban in-fill areas.

A true nature lover, Commissioner Koons is involved in the Ocean to Lake Trail project, which connects recreational paths and facilities all the way from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Okeechobee.  Additionally, he is participating in planning and implementation efforts for the North and South Everglades Natural Areas greenway projects.

 

 

District 2 Contact Information

 
Jeff Koons
Commissioner
Jeff Koons:

301 North Olive Ave. Suite 1201
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 355-2202
877-930-2202
(Toll Free outside the West Palm Beach calling area)

E-mail Commissioner Koons

Board of County Commissioners
Kim Ciklin
Sr. Admin. Assistant
Susie Bowman
Admin. Assistant
Sandra Williams
Secretary