New Health Department Long Overdue

By Commissioner Koons

11-09-07 

Most of my constituents know that health care and public transportation are two important issues to me. So, I’m very happy to be able to report positive things about both.

We recently broke ground on the new headquarters for the Palm Beach County Health Department. Joining me were Health Department Director Dr. Jean Malecki and Stanley Pierce, chairman of the Health Care District.

The $22-million complex between Clematis and Datura streets across from the Tri-Rail station will help anchor our “transit village,” a mix of new apartments/townhomes and offices within walking distance of the downtown train and bus hubs. There are big plans for this 34-acre site known as the western gateway to downtown, including new County offices and a new federal courthouse.

A new Health Department facility is really needed. Right now, many of its employees are crammed into a dingy, crumbling structure on Evernia Street that leaks from hurricane damage. Other Health Department services, such as birth and death records, child care inspections, environmental health, and emergency planning are scattered throughout the county. All these services will be located under one roof, making it much easier for residents to get the help they need.

Although the new building is actually a state facility, the state refuses to pay for it. County government and the Palm Beach County Health Care District must fund the cost using our locally-raised tax dollars. Yet another unfunded state mandate. This one is particularly frustrating, given all the budgets cuts we’ve had to make due to property tax revenue reductions ordered by -- you guessed it -- the state.

The project surrounding the Health Department complex should go out to bid early next year. Construction on the rest of the transit village from the Tri-Rail station will begin in about three years.

Palm Tran Going Green

We all know that public transportation helps the environment by getting thousands of cars and trucks off the road, saving gasoline and cutting down on air-pollution. Well, Palm Tran will soon be making their buses even more environmentally-friendly and less costly to operate.

Beginning in December, Palm Tran bus tires will be filled with nitrogen. It’s perfectly safe and because nitrogen is lighter than air, it provides better fuel economy. In January, Palm Tran will start fueling its buses with biodiesel, a mixture of regular diesel fuel and vegetable or soybean oil. Biodiesel reduces bus emissions by up to 40 percent. These improvements could save our transit system up to $300,000 per year.

Riding the bus is a safe, affordable and convenient way to reduce the impacts of pollution on the environment. As always I welcome your comments and questions. Please feel free to contact me or my staff at 355-2202.