BCC Briefs

At the February 6, 2007 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Health Department – agreed to pay an additional $4.7 million caused by planning and design delays for a new County Health Department administration building on Datura Street in West Palm Beach. The County will pay a little more than half the total projected cost of $22.1 million for the 90,000-square-foot complex with the PBC Health Care District paying the rest.

Broward Annexation – agreed conceptually to support legislation that would amend Palm Beach County’s southern border by allowing 1,949 acres between Lox Road and the current Palm Beach/Broward line to be annexed by Broward County. The board insisted that the legislation prohibit proposed road extensions across the Hillsboro Canal.

Water Utilities – gave preliminary approval to and set a March 13 public hearing for proposed increases in water/sewer rates for Palm Beach County Water Utilities customers. The 18-percent average increase would be the first rate hikes for the department in nearly a decade. If approved, the new rates would take effect April 1.

Mining – agreed to a phased study of the environmental impacts of rock mining in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). Phase One, a review of the current permitting process, will take about six months. Phase Two, if deemed necessary, will analyze sediment borings and water tests on a regional basis and would take about two years to complete.

Film Festival – approved a $150,000 grant from the budget of the Economic Development Office for operations, revenue generation, education and economic development associated with the 2007 Palm Beach International Film Festival.

Sunbeam – approved a matching $100,000 grant from the Qualified Target Industry (QTI) tax refund program for expansion of the Boca Raton headquarters of Jarden Consumer Solutions (Sunbeam Products, Inc.). The expansion will result in the creation of 80 full-time jobs and relocation of 20 full-time jobs at an average annual salary of $75,000.

Jupiter Lighthouse – supported a resolution designating the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and surrounding federal lands as a national Outstanding Natural Area.

Board Appointment – appointed Commissioner Jeff Koons to replace Commissioner Warren Newell on the Value Adjustment Board.