Message from Commissioner Vana - Sep. 2010

I hope that autumn finds you revitalized after a relaxing summer season here in Florida or perhaps a cooler northern location!  September for the County Commission is a time when we finalize our budget.  As I write this the County Commission is preparing for their public hearings and our final budget vote. We are working to find ways to provide needed services and to balance things such as parks and cultural activities while keeping the tax burden to a minimum. 

I have written before about the changes I have helped to make to our internal Audit Committee that I believe will help us find more efficient ways of doing things while maintaining strong internal controls.  These changes have been implemented and I look forward to upcoming recommendations. 

One of the things that I love about being a commissioner is that I get to work on a wide variety of issues and with many wonderful people.  My staff has been with me for many years and is essential to great constituent services.  We often work on general issues after constituents bring specific situations to our attention.  Currently we are working with our legislator Joseph Abruzzo on an issue you may have seen in the news regarding patients with traumatic brain injuries.  Because Florida Medicaid does not pay for treatments, people may become part of the criminal justice system.  This costs much more than treatment would.  We must be smart in how we solve problems not only to save scarce dollars but because it is the moral thing to do.

I have also been working on public safety and consumer protection issues. I am looking for ways to keep our nightclubs responsible to their surrounding neighbors as well as working on protecting consumers when they purchase dogs from pet stores. My office is also looking at how we can minimize the negative effects of road construction on local businesses and residents alike.  None of these are easy issues.  However, I believe that by doing the right things for our community we can make Palm Beach County an even better place to live.

I look forward to your input in all things.  I encourage you to contact my office if you believe that there are issues that need to be addressed. 

Sincerely,

Shelley Vana
Palm Beach County Commissioner
District 3