PGA Station Development Dominates Nov. Council Mtg

Several development projects were covered during the very long Nov 4 City Council meeting.

PGA Station was viewed by the council (and the developer) as integral to the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay District within the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Resolution 62, 2021 outlined approval of a PUD Amendment to modify the uses on Pods Band C, including a new 8-story, 396-unit multi-family building with a 606-space parking garage on Pod B, modify Building 9 on Pod B, and revise Pod C to include a new 200,000-square-foot, 8-story office building with a separate 998-space parking garage that includes 7,049 square feet of retail space along the north and west facades of the parking garage. The PUD is 30.03 acres, located on the south side of PGA Boulevard, east side of RCA Boulevard, and west side of Alternate A1A. The Council was impressed with fact that 10% of the units proposed within the 396-unit apartment building are proposed to be provided at 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) to meet workforce housing requirements. Staff has been working with the developers for over two years and are pleased with the outcome.  The resolution passed 5:0.

Northlake Square – 7 Eleven – Ordinance 12, 2021 and associate Resolution 58, 2021 passed 5:0. Public Comment was made by resident Ramona Bean, requesting clarification on the level of the EV charging stations (answer: Level 3). Brian Seymour also added that the developer is trying to see if AIPP (art in public places) can be placed on site. They are also waiting on permitting from the county for the planned right turn lane onto the property.

PGA National Resort – Ordinances 13/14, 2021 and associated Resolutions 60/61, 2021 – Council Member Tinsley recused herself from the deliberations due to her husband being a shareholder in WCI – who is doing the landscaping and traffic for the project. Two of the council members live in PGA National (Mayor Litt and Council Member Marciano) and they had slightly differing opinions of the proposed water slide and its impact on the golf course or its necessity. However the Ordinances passed on first reading 4:0.

Panther Pods 13 and 14 – Avenir’s Panther National was discussed in depth at a recent council meeting and on the agenda were Resolutions 55/56, 2021 – site plan approval for for a 27-lot single family lot subdivision on approximately 26.82 acres and for a 52-lot single family lot subdivision on approximately 41 .68 acres. The Council appreciated the clean, modern look proposed and the design book which specifically showed types of homes NOT permitted in the subdivisions. Passed 5:0. The golf course is already under construction and should be completed by the end of the year. A limited number of outside (the club) memberships will be allowed so the course will get some use before the homes come online in 2022.

Also covered at the meeting:

• Weiss School – CubeSat   update- the projects are no longer confined to the Weiss School. As a result of Covid, and the use of video conferencing, there was no need to limit participation to just the school. While the bulk of the participants are in Palm Beach County, students across the country are involved. They have incorporated as a 501C3, are raising their own funds and seeking grants.
• Police Chief Shannon recognized his team as 2021 1st Place Winner of the Florida Traffic Safety Challenge.
• Public Comment was made by Adrianne Pugh (sorry if mispelled) in support of the Proclamation on Family Court Awareness Month, and for the organization on which she is a board member – Families Against Court Travesties.
• Mayor Litt pulled the item highlighting the Proclamation on Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and proposed a new fund with dollars already in the Budget set for sponsorships. She proposed seeding the new “Housing Opportunity Program” with $5K. The fund would pays 1st and last months rent to move individuals from transitional housing into permanent housing. The council approved 5:0.
• City Manager Ferris reminded everyone about the Veterans’ Salute Celebration on Nov 11 at 11am at Veterans Plaza; enjoy a concert featuring the Florida National Guard 13th Army Band which will begin performing at 10am. He also said that the new date for activation of the new Bayhill traffic signal is 11/16.
• City Attorney Lohman gave an update on the continuing trial of the City vs PBC over Mobility Fees, which is underway.

Next City Council Mtg on Thursday, Nov 4 at 6pm

The November City Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 4 at 6pm. You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.

Announcements and Presentations:

• An Update by Weiss School Students from the Wolfpack Cubesat Development Team and the Aerospace and Innovation Academy.
• PBG Police Department recognized as the 2021 1st Place Winner of the Florida Traffic Safety Challenge.

Consent Agenda Includes:

• Resolution 63, 2021 – Emergency Purchase of Communication Radios from Citation Communications, Inc. by accessing a Contract with the Palm Beach County School District for the City’s Public Safety Operations – necessary to purchase 70 OpenSky radios due to an expected shortage and change in systems – $191.4K
• Purchase Award – Lease of Front-End Loader – Piggyback/Access Contract – 3 year contract with no option to renew – $131K
• Purchase Award – LED Sports Field Lighting Systems for Several City Parks – Piggyback/Access Contract – $337K
• Purchase Award – Installation of LED Sports Field Lighting Systems for Several City Parks – Piggyback/Access Contract – $244K

Public Hearings and Resolutions:

• Ordinance 12, 2021 and associated Resolution 58, 2021 – 2nd reading and adoption – for a new convenience store with gas sales and an accessory car wash on 1. 76 acres. The property is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and Congress Avenue. First reading was 5:0
• Ordinances 13/14, 2021 and associated Resolutions 60/61, 2021 – PGA National – PGA Resort Core – Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendment, Rezoning, PCD Amendment, and PUD Amendment. “The subject 2.08 acres of PGA National golf course property surrounds and abuts the PGA Resort Core property boundary. The requests to change the land use and zoning will allow these golf course areas to be incorporated into the commercial resort property. However, the existing functionality and compatibility of the PGA Resort Core and the golf courses is not fundamentally changing. The expansion of the resort property serves to enhance the amenities that are specifically provided for use by golfers, such as the member’s club and golf teaching facility. The use and function of the 2.08 acres of affected golf course property is not being negatively impacted.
• Resolution 55, 2021 – Site Plan approval for a 27-lot single family lot subdivision on approximately 26.82 acres within Panther National Master Plan Pod 13 located in Parcel A of the Avenir Planned Community Development (PCD).
• Resolution 56, 2021 – Site Plan approval for for a 52-lot single family lot subdivision on approximately 41 .68 acres within Panther National Master Plan Pod 14 located in Parcel A of the Avenir Planned Community Development (PCD).
• Resolution 62, 2021 – PGA Station – A request from PGA Building 6, LLC and PGA Building 9 & 10, LLC for approval of a PUD Amendment to modify the uses on Pods Band C, including a new 8-story, 396-unit multi-family building with a 606-space parking garage on Pod B, modify Building 9 on Pod B, and revise Pod C to include a new 200,000-square-foot, 8-story office building with a separate 998-space parking garage that includes 7,049 square feet of retail space along the north and west facades of the parking garage. The PUD is 30.03 acres, located on the south side of PGA Boulevard, east side of RCA Boulevard, and west side of Alternate A1A.

Please check the agenda before the meeting for additions or modifications.

“Infrastructure is Destiny”

Is there a ‘mobility infrastructure’ sur-tax in the County’s future?  There will be if Nick Uhren, Director PBC TPA, and associated municipalities in the County succeed in getting it on the ballot and passed, most likely in NOV, 2024.  During Presentations, Mr. Uhren gave an in-depth presentation on mobility plans for the County, with the theme “Infrastructure is Destiny”.  The current ‘Penny’ sales tax sunsets in 2026, or earlier if maximum revenue targets are reached before then.  He described the County’s current sur-tax as looking backward, doing repair and maintenance on existing projects.  The proposed sur-tax would be looking forward, to a ‘car-optional future‘.  Apparently, Palm Beach County is behind several major counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, Tampa, and Orange) in having such a tax – and it takes local dollars to bring in the necessary state and federal dollars required to implement major projects, by requiring ‘local matching dollars’.  Both the Council and City-Manager Ferris were all on board and the City’s mobility plan fits right in with the proposed concepts.  So ‘watch this space’….

City Manager Report

• The Gardens Green Market opened on October 3rd and is on Sundays from 8-1pm with live music
• Palm Beach Gardens Fall Festival will be on October 23 from 6-8PM.  See here for more details.
• Salute to Veterans on November 11 at 11am in Veterans Plaza – featuring the 13th Army Band

Consent Agenda related presentations:

• Natalie Crowley – Director of Planning and Zoning – Resolution 64, 2021 – Opposing Palm Beach County’s Comprehensive Plan Amendment to widen Northlake both East and West.  The County’s plans do not take into account turning lanes and would affect many communities in the City.  It also is premature, since Avenir is in the process of constructing a Connector Route between Northlake and Bee Line, which is designed to relieve traffic.  The western portion of the County’s plan is on the BCC Agenda for Nov 3 – NCNC and Carlton Oaks have already expressed opposition to the plans.  Residents can write to the Board of County Commissioners or come to the meeting.  Palm Beach Gardens plans to object through established inter-local agreement processes.
• Purchase Award for the Design and Construction of the Burns Rd Aquatic Center –  Km! Ra – Purchasing Director gave a brief overview of the purchase award.  Moneys for the construction came from the existing penny Sales sur-tax.

Consent Agenda Passed 5:0

Ordinances and Resolutions:

• Ordinance 12, 2021 – first reading – regarding a new flag-ship 7-11 featuring fresh food/Laredo Taco to be built on the site of the long-vacant Applebees on the northeast corner of Northlake Blvd and Congress.   The store would be more like a local market than a convenience store.  A deceleration lane would be added to the entrance which would aid traffic both to the 7-11 and Pep-Boys.  Passed 5:0
• Board appointments were made and/or reapproved for AIPP, Parks and Rec, PZAB and Fire Pensions – all passed 5:0
• Resolution 53, 2021 – approving and ratifying the collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of PBC local 2928 for fiscal years 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024.  Sheryl Stewart, HR Administrator made the presentation;  Jeff Green, PBG Resident, firefighter and District VP for Local 2928 made public comment praising the agreement which was reached with little strife and very quickly.  Passed 5:0

There was no other business discussed nor was there a City Attorney Report.

Next City Council Mtg on Thursday October 7 at 6pm

The October City Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 7 at 6pm.   You can watch it livestreaming either during or after the meeting, if you are unable to attend.

Presentations: Funding for countywide mobility by Nick Uhren, Director PBC TPA.

Consent Agenda includes

• Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Three-Year Small Enterprises Agreement (County and Municipal Governments) with Environmental Systems Research Institute Incorporated (ESRI) for a Geographic Systems Enterprise License for the Planning & Zoning Department’s GIS Division. Max $152K, This Resolution authorizes the City Manager to execute future license renewals, as is the normal practice with other proprietary software application agreements.
• Resolution 60, 2021: Lease Purchase of a Combination Pumper from Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC under a Contract with the Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program and Financed by Truist Bank for a Period of 10 Years. Total Contract Price: $876,207.40
• Purchase award – Design and Construction of Aquatics Center DEPARTMENT: Community Services Building at Burns Road Community Center – openly competed – $2.6 million
• Purchase award – Power Store Data Storage Appliance – piggy back/access contract, $97k

Ordinances and Resolutions

• Ordinance 12, 2021 First reading – McPhail Associates, LLLP is requesting approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Plan Rezoning of Northlake Square, which encompasses 3.89 acres, as well as a PUD Site Plan and a Major Conditional Use approval for a new convenience store with gas sales and an accessory car wash on 1.76 acres. The property is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and Congress (old Applebee’s site). Accompanying companion resolution 58, 2021
• Resolution 53, 2021 – Agreement between
  the City and the Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of Palm Beach County, Local 2928, IAFF, Inc., for Fiscal Years 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024. Agreement includes: “Starting the first full pay period beginning on or after October 1, 2021 , all employees will receive a wage adjustment to their base salary as a result of being slotted into the current pay ranges, resulting in an average increase of 7.5 percent. In the second and third years of the Agreement, starting the first full pay period beginning on or after October 1, 2022, and 2023, all employees
  will receive a 2 percent market adjustment to base salary, and in addition, a 3 percent increase to base salary up to the maximum for their position. The pay range minimums and maximums for all positions will be increased by 2 percent in the second and third years of the Agreement. The new salary plan eliminates the lump sum payments for those who exceed the maximum salary of their position’s pay range, re-allocating those funds for the first year’s slotting and wage adjustments. The proposed salary increases will cost a total of approximately $2,868,875 over the three-year Agreement, including pension, FICA, and paramedic pay adjustments.
• Several appointments to advisory boards.

Please check the agenda check the agenda before the meeting for additions or modifications.

Flat millage at 5.55 and Outdoor Seating Improvements Passed

The Sept 22 PBG City Council meeting began with remarks by Police Chief Clint Shannon, honoring the four Police Explorers who participated in the annual Florida Association of Police Explorers competition.  Palm Beach Gardens won first overall, as well as placing well in specific challenges.  The City’s team competed against 20 other Explorer Posts from around the state.

Mayor Litt then segued to the topic of the night, the setting of the millage rate and the FY 2021/2022 Budget.  Apparently nerves were struck when the Palm Beach Post questioned sources of funding for the new golf course and/or residents suggested that flat millage in a time of increasing values is a tax increase.  So prior to the actual resolution and ordinance discussions, the Mayor described the City’s various reserves, the use of Cares Act funding, the usage made of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, and how much of what the City accomplished in giving back to business and residents came from the City’s reserves.  The Mayor has posted her commentary on Facebook.

Resolution 36, 2021 – Adopting the Tax Levy and Millage Rate – comprised the bulk of the discussion by Council.  Council Members Tinsley and Marciano, as they did at the first hearing, asked the Council to consider a minor reduction in millage to 5.50 to give back to the taxpayers.  Mayor Litt, Vice Mayor Reed and Council Member Woods again insisted that they were NOT raising taxes*, that they were giving back to the people and businesses that the City determined really needed it in the midst of a pandemic, highlighted the importance of  a ‘stable’ tax rate, and were disappointed that Palm Beach Gardens was not lauded for keeping millage flat, while nearby Lake Park was. (* when property valuations go up and millage remains flat, the $$ you pay in taxes goes up – thus it is a tax increase, however modest).  The vote on the millage was 3:2 with Tinsley/Marciano voting NO.  See the Palm Beach Post article on the discussion in their article entitled “Palm Beach Gardens narrowly passes budget, OKs using federal grant to help build golf course”

Ordinance 8, 2021 – Adopts the Budget for FY 2021/2022 – no further discussion as the issue was not with the Budget.  Vote 5:0

Ordinance 10, 2021 – 2nd Reading and Adoption of the modifications to Outdoor Seating and related parking requirements which passed 5:0 on first hearing. Vote – 5:0

Next month Nick Uhren, Executive Director of the Palm Beach TPA will be giving a presentation about Mobility

2nd Sept City Council Mtg and Final FY 2021/2022 Budget Hearing on Wed 2/22 at 6pm

The final required Budget Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 PBG City Budget will be held on Wed., Sept 22 at 6pm. The first hearing was held on Wed, 9/8. See our summary of the first meeting: “Same Old Budget Hearing But Innovations on Outdoor Restaurant Seating“.  The agenda is fairly short.  If you can’t make the meeting, you can watch it livestreamed or after the fact.

Presentations:

• Palm Beach Gardens Police Explorers – First Place at State Competition – this was postponed from a prior council meeting.

Consent Agenda includes:

• Purchase Award – Property and Casualty Insurance Program – Openly competed – 2yr contract with no option to renew – $3.6 million dollars

Public Hearings and Resolutions:

• Resolution 36, 2021 – Adopting the tax levy and millage rate
• Ordinance 8, 2021 – 2nd reading and adoption of the budget for FY 2021/2022
• Ordinance 10, 2021 – 2nd reading and adoption of the modifications to Outdoor Seating and related parking requirements which passed 5:0 on first hearing.

Please check the agenda before the meeting for additions or modifications.

Same Old Budget Hearing But Innovations on Outdoor Restaurant Seating

The City Council held its first FY 2021/2022 Budget Hearing.  Despite compelling arguments from both Council Members Marciano and Tinsley to slightly lower the proposed millage to 5.50 from 5.55, Mayor Litt, Vice-Mayor Reed and Council Member Woods voted to raise taxes. As has been the same every year, since 2015 – which is the last time millage was lowered, various council members pride themselves on holding taxes flat. Except in rare times of flat or lowering valuations, this is UNTRUE. Flat millage with raising valuations is A TAX INCREASE. Scoffing at the concept of a discussion over savings to the hypothetical house valued at $450K of $20, they seemed to forget that the money comes from the people, and as Marciano said (and has said in the past) – the purpose of the city government is not to be a bank. This is our money. Public comment was made by resident Mary Lynn Manning requesting that the millage be set to the rollback rate. She added that while understanding that the city had no oversight of the schools, that without first rate schools the outstanding city would be lacking. That said – the final vote to keep millage flat was 4:1 with Council Member Marciano voting No. Ordinance 8, 2021, approving the proposed budget on first hearing passed 5:0.

Read Joel Englehardt’s On Gardens Post entitled Palm Beach Gardens Tax Revolt Fails by One Vote, for a blow by blow description of the budget portion of the meeting. Here is also a link to Finance Director Allan Owens’ presentation.

Ordinance 10, 2021 introduced a proposal, presented by Martin Fitts, Principal Planner, planning division, to modernize and streamline the process for outdoor restaurant seating and related parking requirements. The public’s preferences for outdoor dining choices as a result of Covid-19 and different types of dining venues, led the City to review it’s current policies. The current process to request outdoor seating by administrative petition takes about 4 weeks and costs $550. The proposed process would be a permit process costing $150 with more liberal options for the restaurants and their locations. The proposal was met with strong approval by the council. The primary concern was to make sure that restaurants affected by the current procedures expiring on Sept 30 be informed and be allowed sufficient time to qualify under the new permitting process. Planning and Zoning Director Natalie Crowley assured the council that everyone would be informed and she praised Mr. Fitts for his work. The ordinance passed 5:0

Other business:

• Ordinance 9, 2021 passed 5:0 on second reading/adoption – it passed 5:0 on first reading last month
• Charlotte Brzezinkski Leisure Services Administrator announced several honors received by the Parks and Recreation department and specifically called out Wendy Tatum, Director of Tennis & Pickleball and Andi Mohl, Recreation Supervisor – Tennis Business Operations for the Tennis Center’s receiving of a 2021 USTA (US Tennis assoc) Outstanding Facility Award. Also several staff members received the CPI (certified parks and recreation professional designation): Daniel Prieto, deputy leisure services administrator, Andi Mohl, tennis operations manager and earlier (due to covid) Tim Ford, Monette Preston and Ashley Shipman.
• Mayor Litt acknowledged Firefighter Christina Krakowski and Jodi Kalish, Police Officer for their part in the podcast ‘The Woman Effect’ making it in a male dominated industry by/for Palm Beach North Chamber.
• City Attorney Max Lohman said that the city was progressing with its Mobility case with the county – filing answers and counter-claims (the city counter sued county), described some discovery issues and scheduling depositions.
• City Manager Ferris said that the latest interlocal agreement with the County had been submitted regarding the Bayhill/Northlake traffic signal and that the County should give approval and the City was ready to go next week with installing the signal.

The next council meeting will be held on Wednesday September 22 at 6pm – primarily as the 2nd Reading and Adoption of the millage and the FY 2021/2022 Budget.

First Budget Hearing and City Council Mtg on Wednesday, 9/8 at 6pm.

There will be two PBG City Council meetings in September due to the first and second public hearings of the 2021/2022 Fiscal Year Budget approval process. The two meetings will be held on Wednesday Sept 8 at 6pm and Wednesday Sept 22. The change in meeting days are to avoid conflict with other county budget hearings. See our related analysis of the proposed budget “PBG 3.3% Tax Increase Actually Less than Inflation“.  If you can’t make the meeting, you can watch it livestreamed or after the fact.

Presentations include various recognition for Parks and Recreation.

Consent Agenda includes:

• Resolution 52, 2021:  A Resolution approving the plat for National Express Wash Northlake, located on the north side of Northlake Boulevard, approximately 200 feet west of Sunrise Drive
• Purchase Award – Lease of Backhoe and Skid Steers – Piggyback/Access Contract – 3 yrs with no option to renew – total contract – $152K
• Purchase Award – Stop Loss Insurance – “Stop loss insurance is used by the City to support the goals of the self-funded Group Health Insurance Program and to mitigate large insurance claims” – openly competed. One year contract with option to renew 5 times (1x each year) – $560K

Public Hearings – Ordinances and Resolutions:

• Ordinance 8, 2021 – On July 15, 2021 , Council approved Resolution 29, 2021 , setting the maximum tentative operating millage rate for FY 2021/2022 at 5.55 mills which is the same as last year. The proposed operating millage of 5.55 is 2.3 percent above the roll-back rate of 5.4253. Total sources for all funds are $217,591 ,100, consisting of total estimated balances carried forward of $63,896,629 and projected total revenues of $153,694,471 . Total sources of funds are balanced with projected total expenditures of $153,321,554 and ending reserves of $64,269,546, for a total use of funds of $217,591,100. The second and final public hearing on the budget is scheduled for September 22, 2021.  See our post (mentioned above), as well as Joel Englehardt’s piece entitled “Gardens Budget: What You Pay and Where It Goes “
• Ordinance 9, 2021 – 2nd reading and Adoption – An amendment to Chapter 66. Taxation at Sections 66-59 and 66-60 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. 1st reading passed 5:0 on August 5th City Council Mtg
• Ordinance 10, 2021 – 1st reading – A City-initiated request to amend Chapter 78 – Land Development, Article V – Supplementary District Regulations, Section 78-191 – Outdoor Seating and Section 78-345 – Number of parking spaces required. City Manager Ferris had said awhile back that the city planned to see if changes could be proposed to outdoor seating. “These updates are based on a shift in dining preferences by restaurant guests to dine outside and recognize changes in transportation preferences to include mobility options. Based on these environmental changes, City Staff has identified certain areas within the outdoor seating and parking codes that could be modernized. Additionally, Staff has streamlined the outdoor seating approval process to a permit process, similar to the current Special Event permit process, that is simpler for applicants to apply for, faster on average for review, and more cost efficient than the current approval process. The proposed changes will allow more flexibility for restaurant owners and staff in reviewing and approving outdoor seating within the City.”

Please check the agenda before the meeting for additions or modifications.

PBG 3.3% Tax Increase Actually Less than Inflation

The proposed 2021 PBG Budget raises about $2.3M in new taxes, up a modest 3.3% over last year. See the Proposed Budget here.

With the millage flat at 5.55 since reduced to that level in 2016, this is the seventh year that increases in property valuations and new construction have provided an equivalent increase in revenue without raising the tax rate. In 2015, ad-valorem revenue was $49M. This year’s $72M is a 46% increase over the six years of flat millage.

Unlike the six years previous, the 2022 budget needs to be thought of differently because excessive federal spending and money printing by the Federal Reserve has brought us a repeat of the inflationary environment of the ’70s. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks the “CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR ALL URBAN CONSUMERS (CPI-U)” monthly. In July of this year, that figure stands at 273 – up a whopping 5.4% over one year ago when it was 259. It has been climbing at a yearly rate in excess of 5% for the last 3 months, and was up 4.2% in April. In prior budget years, inflation was negligible compared to increases in the ad valorem tax. Let’s assume it continues for another 9 months and the July 2022 figure is 288. Adjusting the tax increase for inflation, the $72M becomes $68M in 2021 dollars – a $1.4M decrease (-2%) in Ad Valorem taxes.

Projecting out the PBG population estimates from the Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR at UFL), the Gardens population will be just shy of 59K in 2022, up about 2%. The TABOR multiple (Taxpayer Bill of Rights – inflation times population growth) is therefore about 7.5%.

Since 2005, the population of Palm Beach Gardens will have grown by about 40% (BEBR estimate – see below) to its estimated 2022 level of 59K.  Inflation, measured by the consumer price index, will be about 48%. Taken together, TABOR would suggest a growth in city spending and taxation of about 107%. (see graph below).

Over the same period (2005-2021), ad-valorem taxes grew 104% and total expenditures (budget less debt payment, capital and transfers) grew 93%. Spending closely follows the TABOR line, and ad-valorem taxes is not widely divergent (although exceeding TABOR since 2017) suggesting spending and taxation appropriate to a growing city.

It should be noted that ad-valorem taxes fund only a part of city expenditures, the rest made up from impact fees, fees for services, other taxes, intergovernmental grants, etc. and have varied from 66% of the total in 2005 to about 70% now. That is why taxes and expenses do not track each other on the chart.

Another useful measurement is taxes per capita – Ad valorem taxes divided by population and then inflation adjusted. By this measure, in 2005 we paid $1,170 per person to our city and in 2022 it will be $1,154 (2021 dollars) – an actual decline.   Tax per capita was as low as $1056 in 2014 after a millage reduction.  It should be noted that as property owners, we pay taxes to other entities besides the city – county, schools, health care district, etc. In 2021 the Palm Beach Gardens portion of the amount on our TRIM statement is about 27% of the total.

The chart below shows an actual decline in per-capita taxation for two years in a row. However, there is reason to believe the BEBR population estimates have missed some of the city’s growth (see below).  If the numbers were to be adjusted to match the growth in voter registrations since 2016 for example, the curve would be flatter since there are more people to pay the taxes.

So if you trust TABOR, or per-capita as measuring sticks, this modest growth in taxation for 2021 seems appropriate in our view. You be the judge.

Downtown Takes Center Stage at Council – but Avenir Close Behind

The bulk of the PBG August City Council meeting was spent reviewing the plans for Downtown Palm Beach Gardens (spanning Ordinances 6/7, 2021 and Resolutions 41/42, 2021), all of which passed 5:0. Richard Slifer, of The Landmark and on its board, made public comment stating that Shopcore (the developer) had excellent communications with the community. He also expressed concerns about future traffic impacts and possible height issues should the remaining buildings be altered.  Both the Palm Beach Post in their article and Joel Englehardt in his OnGardens post covered the discussions and plans in detail.

The other major development project discussed on Thursday (via Resolutions 43/44 2021) was the site plans for Panther National Golf Course and Community in Avenir. The site will feature 218 estate homes on sites ranging from 1/3, 1/2 to 1 acre, along with a Nicklaus designed 18 hole golf course, training facilities with a 9-hole par 3 golf course, club house all with a contemporary look. The site is located adjacent to the reserve area. Both resolutions passed 5:0. Panther National’s website can be found here.

Also in the meeting:

Mayor Litt, at the request of Council Member Marciano, briefly adjourned the meeting so that the City’s youth soccer teams could be honored outside (due to Covid restrictions)

Public Comment was made by the following PBG residents

• Ramona Bean – honored to be appointed to the Palm Beach TPA Citizens’ Advisory Committee (asked by District 1 Commissioner Marino)
• Ernest Damiani – expressed concern about being cited for having a boat in his front yard/driveway and inability for him and others in similar situations to place their vessels behind their well-kept residences. Current code doesn’t even allow for a barrier to be placed around the vessel. He asked for the Council to reconsider. City Manager Ferris said that the current ordinance was passed in 2000 and while many residents were grand-fathered at the time, it is an issue that could be revisited. Mayor Litt requested that it be brought up in a future Council Meeting.
• Joshua Hawthorne discussed a past interaction with the PBG Police, and Mayor Litt’s response was that this was not a Council issue but one to be taken up with the City Manager/staff. Mr. Ferris replied that Mr. Hawthorne will be provided with the public records he requested as well as a complaint form.

The Consent Agenda passed 5:0, along with the Women’s Equality Day proclamation that Vice Mayor Reed had pulled to discuss separately.

City Manager Report:  PBGYY was hosting the under 10 and under 12 Cal Ripkin World Series in the Gardens which was bringing in 1200 people from around the country, and filling over 550 local hotel rooms from August 6-14.

Other business:

• Ordinance 9, 2021 regarding amending Chapter 66 with updates to the Business Tax due to state changes – first reading – 5:0
• Resolution 32, 2021 – annual CDBG Action Plan – passed 5:0
• Council discussion on how they should discuss as a body bringing recognition and awards to the Council and consistency in the writing of letters. Vice Mayor Reed suggested to City Attorney Lohman that confetti and balloon use on city grounds be added to the styrofoam/styrene ordinance.

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