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An Overview of Palm Beach County Government
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Charter Government
The Palm Beach County Home Rule Charter became effective in 1985. True Home Rule gives the Board of County Commissioners the ability to create, through a local public hearing ordinance procedure, local laws that are not in conflict with or specifically prohibited by State general law or the State Constitution. This process is done without going to the Florida Legislature to request special legislation to create these laws. Back to Top
The Legislative Branch
The seven-member Board of County Commissioners is the legislative governing body of Palm Beach County. Each Commissioner is elected to a four-year term by voters in the district in which they reside. Commission members take office two weeks after they are elected in the November General Elections. Every two years, Commission members elect a chairman to preside over the County Commission meetings and to serve as ceremonial head of the County. A vice-chairman is also selected to assume these duties in the absence of the Chair. Back to Top
Your Commission
The Palm Beach County Charter and Chapter 125.01 of the Florida Statutes establish the specific duties and powers of the Board of County Commissioners. The County Commission adopts ordinances (local laws) and resolutions to establish policies and programs to protect the health, safety and general welfare of Palm Beach County residents. The County Commission considers major problems facing County government and guides the growth and development of the County to be consistent with the public interest. Some of the specific duties undertaken by the Board include:
- Provide fire protection and disaster relief services.
- Provide for the construction and maintenance of County buildings, roads and bridges.
- Provide programs for housing, community redevelopment, slum clearance, conservation, flood and beach erosion control and air pollution control.
- Adopt and enforce building and housing codes and regulations.
- Prepare, enforce and periodically review the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the unincorporated area of the County.
- Provide cultural and recreational facilities and programs.
In addition, the Board of County Commissioners may enter into agreements with other governmental agencies for joint performance of duties. Back to Top
Commission Meetings
The Commission usually meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the Jane M. Thompson Memorial Chambers on the sixth floor of the Governmental Center, 301 North Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach. Workshops usually are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Back to Top
The public may offer comments to the Board on regular agenda items, items
listed for Public Hearings and during Matters by the Public. Matters by the Public is a time period, during meetings on the first Tuesday of each month, when citizens can address the Board on any issues under the jurisdiction of the Board.
Residents who wish to speak are requested to complete a "Comments by the Public" card (available in the Chambers) and give it to the clerk at the staff table to ensure their turn at the appropriate time. There is a three-minute time limit.
County Commission meetings are business meetings and, as such, the Commission retains the right to limit discussion on any issue. Citizens should verify meeting schedules in advance by contacting County Administration, Agenda Coordinator, 355-3229. Back to Top
The Administrative Branch
The County Commission appoints the County Administrator and assigns to the Administrator executive responsibilities and powers to implement its policies. Under the direction of the County Administrator, more than 30 departments and offices combine their efforts to provide County residents with needed services, information and programs. Back to Top
Advisory Boards, Committees and Councils
The Board of County Commissioners appoints County residents to serve as volunteers on various citizens' boards, commissions, committees and councils. These groups are
established for advisory and/or regulatory purposes.
State law requires that some advisory boards exist; others are formed by the County Commission to meet special needs and to help solve the challenging issues facing County government. A listing of boards and commissions can be found on page 81in the Guide to Services. Back to Top
Funding County Government
The County's financial operations are budgeted on a fiscal year that begins October 1. The Board of County Commissioners approves the operating budget of County government and setting the property tax (millage) rate. Prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, the County Commission holds two public hearings on the proposed budget submitted by the County Administrator. Once this budget review process is completed, the Commission advertises its intent to adopt the final budget and to adopt a resolution to provide the County government with operating and capital funds. Throughout the year, the Commission may review and amend the budget using the review process. Back to Top
Constitutional Officers/Judiciary
Constitutional Officers and the Judiciary are those County officials, other than the County Commissioners, who are elected by the voters.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court, Property Appraiser, Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections, Public Defender, State Attorney and the Tax Collector are Constitutional Officers elected to serve four-year terms.
Constitutional Officers establish the budgets for their offices, independent of the budget established for offices under the jurisdiction of the Board of County Commissioners. However, Constitutional Officers work in cooperation with the Commission in order to serve citizens of the County efficiently and cost-effectively. Back to Top
Independent Taxing Districts
Palm Beach County is not a consolidated or metro form of government. The Palm Beach County School System is governed by a non-partisan elected School Board and operates under the direction of a School Board-appointed superintendent. The County Commission has no jurisdiction over the School Board or its budget. The South Florida Water Management District, the Children's Services Council, the Health Care District, drainage districts, inlet districts and the 37 municipalities within the County also are not under the authority of the Board of County Commissioners. Back to Top
Some Interesting Facts & Figures
History
- A U.S. Army fort built in Jupiter in 1838 is believed to be the first permanent non-Indian settlement in the area. The fort was followed by the first civilian residents who cared for the Jupiter Lighthouse beginning in 1860.
- The Jupiter and Lake Worth Celestial Railroad, and later the Florida East Coast Railroad, opened up travel to and within the County in the late 1880s.
- In 1889, a heavy turnout at the voting polls forced Dade County, which included Palm Beach County at the time, to move its center of government from Miami to Juno where it remained until 1899. The Oakbrook Square Shopping Center is built on the location of the former Juno Courthouse.
- In 1894, West Palm Beach incorporated making it the oldest municipality in the County.
- Palm Beach County was carved out of Dade County in 1909. It became Florida's 47th county. The first county government meetings were held in an old four-room school house at the corner of Clematis Street and Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach. Only about 5,300 people lived in the new county which comprised portions of what are now Broward, Martin and Okeechobee Counties.
- Broward spun off from Palm Beach County in 1915, Okeechobee County in 1917 and Martin County in 1925.
- Palm Beach County's borders incorporated all of Lake Okeechobee until 1963 when the State of Florida partitioned the lake among all of the counties that border it.
- In 1905, Joseph Sakai began the Yamato Colony in present-day Boca Raton. Sakai attracted fellow Japanese to the area with the promise of farmland. One Japanese immigrant who prospered as a farmer after joining Sakai was George Morikami. In return for the success the County brought him, Morikami donated his home and part of his land to the County for a museum and park.
- Palm Beach International Airport, formerly known as Morrison Field, opened in 1936. The present PBIA 24-gate jetway opened in October, 1988.
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Economics
- The three major billion dollar industries in Palm Beach County are Tourism, Construction and Agriculture. There are also many high-tech industries which contribute to our growing economy.
- In Palm Beach County more than 60,000 people are employed in jobs related to the tourism industry.
- Passenger traffic at Palm Beach International Airport totaled 5.8 million in 2003. Tourists contribute $1.5 billion annually to the County's economy.
- The 1999 housing statistics show 5,386 single family starts and 4,856 multi-family dwelling starts for a value of $1,217,581,782.
- Palm Beach County ranks first in the state in cash receipts from agricultural marketing: more than $2 billion.
- The western portion of the County is home to agricultural lands producing nearly 11 percent of the United States' sugar.
- The Palm Beach County School District oversees the operation of the County's elementary, middle and high schools. The School Board is also the largest employer in Palm Beach County with more than 19,200 employees.
- Florida's Enterprise Zone Program provides tax incentives to businesses located within or hiring from within the zones. The State currently has 19 Enterprise Zones with two in Palm Beach County.
- Palm Beach County is the only county in Florida awarded "AAA" bond ratings by all three rating agencies.
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Demographics
- Palm Beach County still is one of the two largest of the 67 counties in Florida. Land area alone is approximately 2,023 square miles (2,578 square miles including lakes). Palm Beach County dwarfs Rhode Island and is larger than Delaware.
- The 45+ miles of beautiful shoreline were named Florida's Gold Coast after the gold recovered from the Spanish Galleons that sank offshore.
- The four largest lakes in the County are: Lake Okeechobee 488,000 acres; Lake Mangonia 540 acres; Clear Lake 401 acres; and Lake Osborne 356 acres.
- The eastern County has a thriving urban area while the western area of the County is more rural with wetlands. County residents can get a taste of Florida's Everglades by visiting the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Preserve which covers 221 square miles extending from the southern Palm Beach County line, west to US 441, to just south of State Road 98 and west of West Palm Beach.
- Palm Beach County has numerous colleges in the area that offer a broad spectrum of higher education. Currently, more than 28 percent of all Palm Beach County adults are college-educated. Palm Beach Community College has four campus locations that offer associate and vocational/technical degrees, non-credit courses and workshops. Florida Atlantic University offers undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a four-year liberal arts university with a Christian environment. Northwood University specializes in business and management degrees. Other colleges in the area include Barry University, Lynn University, College of the Palm Beaches, and Nova University.
- According to the 2003 Census population estimates, 1,211,167 people claimed Palm Beach County as home.
- There are more women than men living in the County. According to State Commerce Department figures, women account for 52 percent of the population while men total about 48 percent.
- According to the League of Cities, approximately 46 percent of the County's population live in one of the 37 municipalities with the remainder in the unincorporated area of the county. Wellington is the fastest growing municipality.
- According to the Supervisor of Elections Office, as of October 2001 there are 681,315 people registered to vote in Palm Beach County including 306,167 Democrats, 234,940 Republicans and 140,208 in other political parties.
- West Palm Beach is the largest among the County's 37 municipalities, both in population and area. The city covers 52.64 square miles, and according to the 2003 Census estimates has a population of 90,721. Boca Raton ranks second with a 2003 Census population estimate of 76,043.
- The smallest municipality in Palm Beach County is Briny Breezes which covers about four-tenths of a square mile and, as of the 2003 Census estimates, had 409 residents. The smallest town in terms of population is Cloud Lake with 172 residents.
- The 2000 per-capita personal income in Palm Beach County was $28,801. The Statewide per-capita income is $25,288.
- The average temperature here is 75 degrees.
- The average rainfall is 62 inches per year.
- There are 415 churches here (320 Protestant; 35 Catholic; 30 Jewish temples; and 30 other).
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Recreation
- Palm Beach County abounds with parks and other recreational facilities. The County Parks and Recreation Department operates 67 parks, many with water sports and beaches. See the map and chart (pages 48 through 51) for specific amenities and park locations. There is even a campground on Peanut Island.
- The County also manages 28 natural areas that encompass over 28,000 acres. (See map on page 45.)
- Palm Beach County is often referred to as "the Golf Capital of the Worldtm." There are more than 150 public and private golf courses located in Palm Beach County.
- Palm Beach County is the Spring Training home of the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. Baseball continues through the summer with the Class A Florida State League.
- Saltwater and freshwater fishing enthusiasts have plenty to choose from. From big-mouth bass to sailfish, the thrill of hooking the "Big One" is a memory that will last forever.
- Polo, the Sport of Kings, also calls Palm Beach County home. Polo tournaments such as the $100,000 World Cup bring large crowds and international celebrities to Palm Beach County.
- Other sports that provide entertainment for visitors and residents include: tennis, greyhound racing, drag racing, motorcycle racing, boating, in-line skating, shuffle board, croquet, snorkeling, diving and water skiing.
- Palm Beach County offers a multitude of cultural attractions suitable for even the most discriminating tastes. For those who enjoy the classical sounds of music, the theater, and the ballet, some of the organizations to become familiar with are the Royal Poinciana Playhouse, Delray Beach Playhouse, Watson B. Duncan Theater, Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center, Florida Ballet and the Palm Beach Opera. The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts provides the finest cultural productions available.
- Historical buffs will enjoy touring the museums, as well as gardens, located in the County. These include the Loxahatchee River Historical Museum and Jupiter Lighthouse, the S.D. Spady Museum, the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, Norton Museum of Art, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, the Bink Glisson Historical Museum, the American Orchid Society Visitors Center and Botanical Garden, the Mounts Botanical Garden and the Boca Raton Museum of Art, among others.
- The Palm Beach County Library System, as well as municipal libraries, provides the foremost services and materials for educational and entertainment reading needs to the area's residents.
- The South Florida Fairgrounds is home of the South Florida Fair and Exposition, an annual 17-day festival held in late January. Sound Advice Amphitheater provides local residents and visitors with the opportunity to see popular entertainers in concert.
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Hurricane Terms
- Hurricane Watch: A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are a possible threat within 36 hours.
- Hurricane Warning: A Hurricane Warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours.
- Tropical Disturbance, Tropical Wave, or Easterly Wave: This is a cluster of clouds and thunderstorms moving through the tropics.
- Tropical Depression: Formed when a tropical wave develops cyclonic (counter-clockwise) circulation with sustained (one-minute) winds up to 38 mph.
- Tropical Storm: Formed when sustained winds reach 39 mph.
- Hurricane: Formed when sustained winds reach 74 mph.
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