BCC Briefs

At the November 20, 2007 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Public Safety – approved a revised schedule of fees for Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control, including increasing fees for licensing non-sterilized dogs and cats from $38 to $75. The fee revisions are expected to generate an additional $500,000, encourage sterilization and help offset budget cuts to Animal Care & Control. The new charges take effect January 1, 2008.

Facilities Development & Operations – Approved a $1.7 million contract with Carrick Contracting Corporation for the construction of Fire Station No. 56, a 5,475-square-foot fire station located at 6250 S.W. 18th Street in Boca Raton.

Parks & Recreation – Approved an agreement with the City of Pahokee from November 20, 2007 to June 1, 2008 of up to $50,000 for the Pahokee Land Island Project preliminary study. The funding is for a study initiated by the City of Pahokee to determine the most efficient and effective manner to construct environmental barrier islands within the city limits of Pahokee in Lake Okeechobee. Funding is from the Park Improvement Fund.

Human Resources – Approved Palm Beach County’s 2007 to 2008 Affirmative Action Plan, a voluntary effort to correct under-representation where it exists in the Board of County Commissioners’ workforce. Implementation of this year’s plan focuses on methods and procedures for achieving targeted work unit goals, enhancing special recruitment efforts and continuing to develop systems to correct under-representation.

Community Services – Approved contracts with financially-assisted agencies from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008 totaling $1.6 million for services including: $141,345 for the Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters at the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, Inc; $264,941 for crisis and outreach services at 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, Inc. and $1.2 million for services which include transportation, in-home services, congregate meals, home-delivered meals, nutrition education and other services at Mae Volen Senior Center, Inc. for eligible seniors living south of Lantana Road.

Sheriff – Accepted the National Institute of Justice “Solving Cold Cases with DNA Program” FY 2007 Grant in the amount of $176,235 for the period January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The objective of this grant is to combine the efforts of the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Bureau, Crimes Against Children/Sexual Assault Unit with the Violent Crimes Bureau in conjunction with the experience of the Serology/DNA Section for the Crime Laboratory to solve cold cases. No additional positions are needed, and no County funds are required.