Revisions by the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office to preliminary taxable property values released earlier this year show that those valuations have increased in all cities and towns in southeastern Palm Beach County.

Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks releases two sets of numbers each year, with the first estimates reported in May. The numbers are updated as the office refines them and finalizes the additions of properties to the tax roll before they are sent to the state at the end of June.

The office’s data released on June 26 shows that Palm Beach County-wide taxable property values increased by 8.2%, up from May’s estimate of 7.7%.

The total market value of county properties now is $528.8 billion. New construction added to the tax roll was nearly $5.5 billion, the second year in a row that new construction topped $5 billion.

In southeastern Palm Beach County, the largest upward change was in Briny Breezes, jumping from a 9.5% increase to 10%. Delray Beach moved from 8.3% to 8.7% and Lantana increased from 6.4% to 6.8%.

South Palm Beach was an outlier this year, seeing a 0.62% decrease — the first such year-to-year drop for a county municipality since 2013. The updated numbers still show a drop, but reduced to 0.21%.

South Palm Beach Town Manager Jamie Titcomb has attributed the decrease to the town’s aging condos that must comply with laws enacted after a Surfside condo’s collapse in 2021. The resulting higher maintenance fees and special assessments have prompted potential buyers to seek price reductions.

Local governments use taxable values to calculate how much property tax money they can expect. They then set their annual budgets and tax rates.

— Mary Hladky

By Steve Plunkett

The Bookmobile stops at Briny Breezes every other Monday afternoon. All town residents can get a free Palm Beach County Library card and have access to the county library’s e-resources. They can also get free library cards in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and other municipalities with a cooperating library.

That would all end if Briny Breezes withdrew from the county system. But if the town did leave, its property owners would save a collective $57,000 a year in county library taxes.

So town officials are exploring the possibility of the town’s leaving the county system and relying mostly on its own volunteer library.

Town Manager Bill Thrasher suggested the breakaway at the Town Council’s monthly meeting June 26.

He had contacted Douglas Crane, director of the county system, about Briny Breezes’ leaving and was told that the town would need to meet five criteria: having an organized collection of library materials, paid staff, an established schedule of time open to patrons, the necessary facilities and being supported in whole or in part by public funds.

Thrasher said the town easily meets four of the requirements, but “it is a volunteer system. That might be a sticky wicket.”

Town Attorney Keith Davis said some preliminary research showed the idea of having a paid staff was not part of the law establishing the county’s library, and a legal challenge to that requirement might be made.

Crane also told Thrasher that 56 town residents hold county library cards, 119 have Boynton Beach privileges, and 36 have Delray Beach cards. He did not specify whether one person might have more than one card.

If the town leaves the system, a resident might still get a county card for $95 a year as a nonresident, Crane said. Boynton Beach extends library access for $30 for a three-year period, Thrasher said.

Mayor Ted Gross said paying county library taxes is similar to town residents’ paying the corporation for the shuffleboard courts.

“That’s because collectively, together, we’re able to end up having more resources,” he said.

Also, he said, the town’s library is “jigsaw puzzles, books and some movies. It’s nothing compared to what we’re talking about, the resources, the Bookmobile.”

The council wound up directing Thrasher and Davis to explore the matter further.

Earlier, at a June 21 special meeting, the council accepted the Resilient Florida Grant Agreement and authorized Gross to sign it, approved paying Baxter and Woodman Consulting Engineers up to $30,664 to file a State Revolving Loan Fund application, and agreed to pay Engenuity Group up to $190,000 for design and permitting of a stormwater drainage system. 

OCEAN RIDGE — Harold Louis “Sonny” VanArnem III, a visionary technologist, entrepreneur, sportsman and loving father, died on June 5 in Ocean Ridge. He was 84 years old.

Born in Cincinnati, Mr. VanArnem defied convention and exceeded expectations. A gifted athlete, he played college football as a wide receiver at the University of Cincinnati before launching a groundbreaking career in technology. He began at the General Electric Computer Division, quickly rising to a top sales position, then boldly left GE to pursue a more human-centered vision of computing, founding one of the earliest computer timesharing and software firms in Silicon Valley.

Mr. VanArnem’s contributions to the tech world were pioneering. He helped launch one of the world’s first doctoral programs in computer engineering and launched ACTS Computing, an early leader in cloud computing and remote access. He later co-founded Cybergate, one of the first internet service providers in the Southeastern U.S., and later led TOTALe, Europe’s largest network integrator, to a successful IPO. Decades ahead of his time, Mr. VanArnem was already envisioning the future of the internet and artificial intelligence.

But his ambition didn’t stop at technology. He was a true Renaissance man: owner of the Detroit Express professional soccer team, which won the 1982 ASL championship; an early cable television pioneer with a vision for sports and entertainment that anticipated the rise of networks like ESPN; and a film producer, co-producing the blockbusters Love at First Bite and The Quick and the Dead.

He lived boldly and took risks, once pursuing the purchase of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team and the Pontiac Silverdome. He was also involved in auto racing, reflecting his ever-curious spirit and love for challenge.

Yet for all his professional triumphs, Mr. VanArnem’s greatest devotion was to his family. He is survived by his loving children Aleise VanArnem, Heather Chidiac (Jean Chidiac), Sean VanArnem, and his grandson, John “JJ” Chidiac. He was predeceased by four of his beloved children: Heidi, HL (Harold IV), Adam, and Max VanArnem. Each of their lives and legacies carry forward Sonny’s indomitable spirit.

Heidi, despite becoming quadriplegic after a tragic injury, became a national advocate for people with disabilities and received recognition from President Bill Clinton. HL founded the financial platform Money.net. Adam is honored with a hotel in downtown Delray Beach, and Max will be memorialized through a future project named “The Maxwell.”

Mr. VanArnem bore unimaginable loss with grace and faith, never ceasing to lead, give back, or live with passion. He was a man who could fill the lives of many and, in fact, lived a life that would take several men to duplicate. His story is one best told in his own words, in his published memoir, Sonny Side Up.

Mr. VanArnem’s legacy is etched into the lives he touched, the industries he transformed and the family he cherished. He was a pioneer, a dreamer, and above all, a father whose love knew no bounds.

A funeral Mass was held June 13 at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Avenue Church or to a charity of your choice.

— Submitted by the family

Concerned that the cost of police services might go up by double digits, Briny Breezes officials told Police Chief Scott McClure to politely ask his Ocean Ridge bosses if they would temper a proposed contract renewal.

“No push, you know, respectful. Be kind to us,” Town Manager Bill Thrasher said.

Ocean Ridge has policed Briny Breezes since 2019, with the cost going up 3% per year to a proposed $214,928 starting in October.

But this time, Ocean Ridge wanted the payment to rise in following years by the greater of 3% “or the May All Urban Consumer Price Index CPI for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale Region.”

That May CPI figure brushed 10% in 2022 and was more than 3% in 2023 and 2024. Officials don’t know where it might land in future years.

“I’m wondering if we could possibly get a letter signed by the mayor respectfully sent to the Ocean Ridge council asking if we could just stay at the 3% rate. Is that a possibility?” Town Council President Liz Loper said. 

Thrasher and others said the CPI wording also appears in the 10-year contract the town signed with Boynton Beach for fire and rescue service. 

“It’s kind of standard rate increases in contracts,” Mayor Ted Gross said.

In the end the council designated McClure its ambassador on the matter.

— Steve Plunkett

By John Pacenti

A flood-prone stretch of State Road A1A in Delray Beach is getting a $2.2 million upgrade starting this summer. 

The Florida Department of Transportation aims to bolster pedestrian safety, enhance storm drainage, and lay down new asphalt.

The 1.6-mile, two-phase project from Linton Boulevard to just south of Atlantic Avenue will address longstanding issues with the roadway that partially abuts Delray Beach’s award-winning Blue Flag beach. 

The original design of the road had shallow swales paralleling it. 

“This allowed the water some place to go as it runs off the paved area,” Fernando Gomez, a consultant with Allbright Engineering Inc., said at FDOT’s June 11 open house about the project.

“Through the years, with the residents adding landscaping and that type of work to their properties, many of them filled in that swale so it wasn’t performing.”

FDOT aims to restore a minimal swale and enhance the natural percolation to remove the water more quickly.

The project, which was to start in late June and go until spring 2026, comes at the tail end of another FDOT project immediately to the south — covering A1A in Delray Beach south of Linton and extending through all of Highland Beach — that populated the scenic drive with plastic barriers to protect property along the highway. 

Besides repaving, upgrades will include safety measures such as installing rectangular flashing beacons at crosswalks, upgrading pedestrian signals and adding LED lighting at critical intersections.

There will be green bicycle markings at A1A and Linton Boulevard.

After initial public workshops, the team adjusted plans based on resident feedback, particularly regarding flooding and sidewalk concerns, Gomez said.

Traffic disruptions will occur from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with flaggers directing traffic as needed.

Sidewalk and curb ramp closures will be implemented as needed, with temporary pedestrian detours. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained at all times.

Phase 1 will kick off the infrastructure project with foundational groundwork. According to project details revealed in a recent public meeting, contractors will first focus on constructing new swales, concrete sidewalks, and pedestrian ramps. This initial stage will also include installing new signage and lighting, along with critical enhancements to traffic signaling.

The second phase will concentrate on the road surface itself. Contractors will mill and repave most of the roadway within the project’s 1.6-mile limits. This stage includes installing new pavement markings and implementing signal detection loops to improve traffic flow and safety.

The lighting along A1A is currently turtle-friendly because hatchlings can be attracted to artificial light. So, the challenge was how to upgrade pedestrian crossing locations without endangering beloved marine animals. 

“So whatever lighting was added in that section of the project was done to match the existing decorative lighting. And all lighting, both existing and new, is turtle-friendly,” Gomez said. 

A1A PROJECT DETAILS

• Milling and repaving A1A from Linton Boulevard to Casuarina Road, and at Nassau Street;

• Upgrading curb ramps and replacing sections of the existing sidewalk;

• Regrading swales on the east side of A1A between White Drive and Brooks Lane — and at Carissa Road — for enhanced drainage;

• Upgrading the pedestrian signal at A1A and Casuarina Road; 

• Installing rectangular rapid flashing beacons for crosswalks at Rhodes Villa Avenue, Bucida Road, Anchor Park, Nassau Street, and north of Ingraham Avenue; 

• Upgrading lighting to LED fixtures at Linton, Rhodes Villa, Bucida, Casuarina, Nassau, north of Ingraham and at Atlantic; 

• Upgrading signage and pavement markings, including installing green bicycle markings at A1A and Linton. 

A new state law is giving a reprieve to condo associations that are being required to build up quickly their reserve funds needed for future repairs. The legislation (HB 913), signed into law on June 23 by Gov. Ron DeSantis, aims at giving relief to the sudden, large fee assessments facing many condo owners.

The law extends a reserve study requirement for one year and allows a two-year pause in reserve fund contributions, to give time “to prioritize funding critical repairs identified in a milestone inspection,” according to the governor’s office.

The law also increases the cost of repairs required to be included in reserves from $10,000 to $25,000, and it provides alternative funding options to provide flexibility to associations, the governor’s office said.

“The legislature and the governor responded to requests from residents to re-evaluate requirements,” said State Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, who lives in Highland Beach. “We are aiming to keep everyone safe but with reasonable time frames that don’t put undue stress and demands on our residents.”

— Larry Barszewski and Rich Pollack

By Mary Thurwachter

When 3550 South Ocean opened in 2019, developers boasted that the six-story structure offered opulence unlike anything South Palm Beach had seen, with concierge service, a dog park and VIP access to the Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa. Every unit came with an ocean view.

Building across from Town Hall on land previously occupied by the Hawaiian Inn, an icon that was demolished in 2015, developers squeezed every inch of the property to erect 30 luxury units that sold for between $3 million and $7 million each.

To meet the 60-space parking requirements, 25 mechanical parking lifts were installed. The ocean views and concierge service are still there, but the lifts haven’t fared well. Only four of them still work.

That’s what brought representatives of the condominium, located as its names suggests at 3550 S. Ocean Blvd., to the Town Council meeting June 10. They asked for a variance to remove the mechanical lifts and to reduce the minimum required off-street parking spaces from 60 to 47. A second variance permits the condo association to reconfigure the parking layout to allow for valet-operated tandem parking.

Both variances were granted after representatives of the 3550 South Ocean Condominium Association made their pitch.

Attorney Janice Ruskin of Lewis, Longman & Walker, representing the association, said the changes were needed for several reasons.

“These variances are necessary due to unique conditions affecting the property, including the prior installation of mechanical parking lifts by the original developer,” Ruskin said.

“The mechanical parking lifts have proven to be unsafe, inefficient and incompatible with modern vehicles. The requested relief is supported by a professional parking accumulation study, national and regional planning data and a revised parking plan.”

Karen Mazurek, property manager for the condominium association, said the lifts, ruined by exposure to salt and sand, have reached the end of their life expectancies (five to seven years) and are rarely used.

Council members Sandra Beckett and Monte Berendes questioned whether the association had considered adding a second floor for parking. But Ruskin said the plan presented was what the association wanted.

Association representatives said 47 parking spaces were adequate and that there hasn’t been a need for more. 

By Tao Woolfe

The Florida Department of Transportation this month is set to begin the four-year, $64 million widening of Boynton Beach Boulevard near and over Interstate 95.

The project will widen the overpass with room for dual left turn lanes onto I-95 in both directions, create additional turn lanes for the on- and off-ramps and add a third through-lane for westbound traffic over the interstate.

The work also includes:

• Milling and repaving the roadway;

• Constructing 5- to 7-foot bicycle lanes;

• Replacing signal mast arms, installing traffic monitoring cameras and wrong-way detection devices;

• Upgrading curb ramps and adding 8-foot sidewalks;

• Installing new LED lighting to improve visibility and safety at night; and

• Providing new signage, including bicycle markings, to enhance visibility.

The project extends from Old Boynton Road west of I-95 to Northwest Third Street east of the interstate.

Traffic impacts are expected to be felt throughout the project, but the work will be implemented in phases to minimize inconvenience, the FDOT said in a press release.

While FDOT said business and resident access will be maintained at all times, it warned motorists to expect numerous lane closures and detours — mostly at night. 

Remembering Rob Weber — South Palm Beach Mayor Bonnie Fischer paid tribute to coastal engineer Robert “Rob” Weber, 46, who died on May 29. Weber, of Boca Raton, was the coastal coordinator for the town of Palm Beach. He played a vital role in restoring and preserving local beaches, including South Palm Beach’s.

Weber and Fischer were instrumental in forming an interlocal agreement with Palm Beach, South Palm Beach and Lantana for dune restoration.

“Our beach today is significantly better due to his engineering expertise,” Fischer said.

Committee appointments — Council member Elvadianne Culbertson, Lantana Town Manager Brian Raducci and Manalapan Town Manager Eric Marmer were appointed to serve on the newly established Auditor Selection Committee. The committee will help the town select a qualified independent auditor for financial audits.

New employee — Town Manager Jamie Titcomb introduced the town’s newest employee, Emma Trotto. She is the administrative assistant to the town manager and town clerk. She works from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays.

Trotto, a Lake Worth Beach resident, previously was a community relations director and tour guide for the Florida Sugar Cane League. She has a bachelor’s degree in management, sustainability and marketing from State University of New York.

— Mary Thurwachter

Motorists on State Road A1A in Highland Beach who enjoyed a short respite from lane closures during an ongoing road project can expect once again to face slowdowns as crews prepare the road and adjacent areas for a final layer of asphalt. 

The 3.35-mile-long project with a price tag of about $8.3 million began about a year ago and is about 75% complete, Florida Department of Transportation officials say.

Workers will now focus on grading driveways and widening the northbound lane within the project. For the first couple of weeks of July, the emphasis will be on continuing the widening of the northbound roadway, reinstalling paver driveways and reconstructing asphalt driveways throughout the area. 

Crews will continue paving on widened parts of the road, which will be followed by temporary striping until the final layer of asphalt and permanent striping are applied. 

One much-requested improvement has been the completion of the left turn lane from northbound A1A to Linton Boulevard. The lane has been extended but will receive a final asphalt layer and final striping. 

“Once all roadway construction activities are finished, the contractor will install sod as needed,” an FDOT spokesperson said in an email. 

— Rich Pollack

By John Pacenti

The Florida Legislature passed a law in 2008 to protect fragile coral and marine life off South Florida’s coastline. The law directed municipalities — except in extreme weather events — to eliminate the release of treated wastewater through ocean outfalls by the end of 2025.

It’s been a long time coming, but Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach say they are meeting the mandate.

The South County municipalities got there through different methods, though. Boynton Beach and Delray Beach jointly own and operate the South Central Regional Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Facility and utilize two deep-injection wells. Boca Raton, on the other hand, has found a home for treated wastewater in the city’s many lakes.

The cities also have reuse programs that provide treated effluent for residential or commercial irrigation purposes.

Delray Beach and Boynton Beach’s first deep-injection well went online in 2009, but it was the second well, which started working in mid-June, that will really help those municipalities redirect the effluent that doesn’t go to golf courses, homes or businesses.

The second well came at a taxpayer cost of about $8 million.

“We are in a much better position than other coastal communities, because during the high rain, typically they don’t have any other outlet,” said Delray Beach Utilities Director Hassan Hadjimiry.

“If you didn’t have this deep well and, let’s say, we get 20 million gallons extra flow to the treatment plant because of rain, then that would have gone to the ocean outfall,” he said.

Changing old habits
The 2008 legislation was named after environmentalist and Everglades advocate Leah Schad. It prohibited the construction of new domestic wastewater ocean outfalls and required that any effluent that is discharged meet new standards. It also created the 2025 timeline to eliminate discharges from outflows — except as emergency backups — and required cities to use 60% of the effluent for “useful purposes.”

“Ocean outfall legislation represents an amazing collaborative effort between environmental, scientific and political communities,” said Delray Beach City Commissioner Juli Casale. “We are fortunate our Utilities Director Hassan Hadjimiry had the foresight to move forward with a second deep-injection well, ensuring our ability to meet ocean outfall compliance by 2025.”

The outfall for Delray Beach and Boynton Beach is a large pipe that reaches about a mile into the ocean near Atlantic Avenue. The plant itself is at 1801 N. Congress Ave. in Delray Beach and treats about 17 million gallons per day.

Kent Edwards, who was Delray Beach’s sustainability officer before moving over earlier this year to Boca Raton, said once the effluent is sent to the netherworld through deep-well injection, it is gone for good. “It will never get back to the surficial aquifer,” he said.

Edwards said the misapprehension about the 2008 legislation is that it would eliminate outfalls for treated wastewater completely.

Doug Levine, plant manager for the wastewater treatment facility, said that the last time the South Central outfall was used was in September, because of heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Milton. However, he added, that would not have been the case if the second deep-injection well had been online.

The problem with outfalls
Treated wastewater is a cheap irrigation alternative for golf courses and communities with large green spaces — it even acts as a fertilizer with high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. But those pollutants can harm the marine environment and coral reefs, causing fish die-offs and loss of coral diversity, according to the Reef Resilience Network. 

“Florida’s outfalls are threatening its coral reefs, which have seen increased rates of disease in recent years,” the organization states on its website. “For instance, stony coral tissue loss disease has been reported across more than 300 miles of coral reefs in Florida, from the southeastern coast all the way down to the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas National Park.”

Casale — who is also on the South Central facility’s board — said, “This legislation enjoys widespread support because it focuses on creating a healthier, more resilient ocean environment.”

She said the two deep-injection wells have a capacity of more than 35 million gallons per day, “providing a sustainable solution for excess flow during high rainfall seasons.”

“Prior to the installation of the Deep Injection Well 2, excess treated influent had to be diverted to the ocean outfall,” Casale said. “However, with the construction of Deep Injection Well 2, we have a sustainable alternative to ocean disposal.”

Lakes instead of wells
In Boca Raton, Utilities Director Chris Helfrich said the city is meeting the state’s mandate on reducing use of ocean outflows that jig and jag from the plant on Glades Road down to Palmetto Park Road and into the ocean.

The city right now is at “zero outfall,” sending any unused effluent to the man-made lakes to the west, Helfrich said. “There are a lot of lakes,” he said. “We’d rather put it into lakes than to send it to the outfalls.”

Boca Raton became a 100% reuse city in 2018, using the reclaimed water for irrigation for 1,700 residential customers and multiple golf courses, he said.

Helfrich said deep-injection wells are very expensive. “We think we made a good strategic move,” he said. 

There has also been a rethinking when it comes to treated wastewater since it was seen as the bogeyman of the reef some 17 years ago.

“It’s kind of evolved that reclaimed water is acceptable, and reclaimed water is something that is a resource,” Helfrich said. “It’s a resource, and people appreciate it. Now, the golf courses really appreciate it.” 

Commissioners were not sold on all design features for signs such as this one for city gateways. Rendering provided

By Tao Woolfe

Boynton Beach city commissioners are considering spending about $1.5 million on signs to help ensure that all who wander — within city limits, anyway — are not lost.

Dani Moschella, the city’s public affairs director, presented several artists’ renderings of proposed signs in various sizes to the commission at its June 3 meeting.

Some 89 new signs were included, from huge welcome signs for four of the city entryways, to 32 medium-sized signs for use in street medians, 33 park signs, eight digital information-providing signs and 12 directional signs to city destinations, such as City Hall and the Children’s Museum.

The city would start the installations next year if commissioners approve, but they had differing concerns about the designs.

All the signs feature blue lettering as well as the city’s signature sailfish, which, as it turns out, is not universally beloved.

“I hate the fish,” said recently elected Mayor Rebecca Shelton.

Commissioner Thomas Turkin, a boating and fishing enthusiast, argued in favor of keeping the soaring sea creature, whose Latin name is Istiophorus albicans, at least on the most prominent signs.

“We are the gateway to the Gulf Stream,” Turkin said. “I like the fish on the big signs, but not so much on the little ones.”

The 8.5 feet high, 15 feet wide entryway signs, which say, “Welcome City of Boynton Beach,” would light up at night. They feature “Boynton Beach” in dark blue letters on a silver, mesh background, with grassy shrubbery at their bases. The tops of the signs are wavy, to show the city’s relationship to the sea. The sailfish is ubiquitous.

Vice Mayor Woodrow Hay questioned the wisdom of the overwhelmingly blue lettering on the signs proposed by the unnamed consultant.

“I like blue. It’s my favorite color,” Hay said. “But doesn’t blue have a tendency to fade?”

Commissioner Angela Cruz’s comments were less nuanced.

“I don’t love the signs,” she said of the artist renderings.

She added that she would love the idea of using big entryway signs to sell the city and make a statement.

“Let’s get one big sign — something huge,” Cruz said, pointing out that massive, well-designed signs in other municipalities, such as those of Hollywood, California, Orlando, and Miami Beach, make a lasting impact.

Hay reminded his colleagues that closer to home, Delray Beach has done an excellent job with its entryway signage.

Delray Beach’s so-called gateway feature, which was installed in 2013, consists of six lighted, free-form sculptures designed by San Antonio artist Michelle Newman.

The forms tower 28 feet above the pavement and flank Atlantic Avenue, the main road into the city, on the east side of Interstate 95. They are front- and back-lit at night and depict images, such as gladioli to honor the city’s old gladiola festival, and pineapples to represent the city’s early history as a prime grower.

Moschella explained that branding is a way to market the city. A brand incorporates such elements as a city’s culture, values, natural beauty, architecture, its businesses, history and people, she said.

“It’s more than just a logo or a motto,” Moschella said.

Signage is considered part of a city’s visual identity, which is a particular aspect of branding, the public affairs director said. It incorporates color schemes, design aesthetics, logos and city seals, and text font.

The sailfish is part of the city seal, Moschella said, so must be kept for official purposes.

Shelton conceded that the sailfish would be an appropriate addition to some signs — such as those that grace the city’s marina — but overall, she’d like something less hokey.

“The fish looks a little cheap sometimes,” the mayor said.

The commission did not vote on the matter and no public input was allowed, but Hay suggested the city solicit suggestions and opinions from residents about what sets Boynton Beach apart from other coastal cities.

Hay also recommended the city look into whether a small impact fee — which the city collects for public artworks from developers for construction projects of $250,000 and up — could be levied for the signs.

“It is art,” said Hay, who also suggested that residents be enlisted to give alternative suggestions based on their perceptions and memories of the city.

The vice mayor offered the top question residents should ask themselves to start the visioning process: “What’s special about Boynton Beach?” 

First responders at the scene where a man was electrocuted while trimming a palm tree. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

A worker killed while trimming a tree June 4 in Ocean Ridge has been identified as Alonzo Gilberto Domingo Domingo, 25, of West Palm Beach, according to a report from the Ocean Ridge Police Department.

Police responded to a 911 call at 10:41 a.m. When they arrived at 4 Beachway North at 10:43, they saw Domingo Domingo unconscious and dangling from a coconut palm tree by his safety harness. He dangled about 25 feet off the ground for several minutes before Boynton Beach Fire Rescue firefighters in a bucket truck could get him down.

“They immediately called Florida Power & Light to shut off the power so they could start the rescue. OSHA was called and the investigation is continuing,” said Chelsea Sanabia, a spokesperson for Boynton Beach, which provides fire rescue services to the town.

Tom Pelegrin, who lives at 16 Adams Road directly behind the home, said his neighbor told him she was in her back yard when she heard a scream.

“She told me she looked up and saw the gentleman in distress,” he said. “She also saw smoke, then she called 911. This is horrible. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Power lines could be seen close to the tree, which appeared to have burn marks. The arriving officer also “detected a faint burnt odor in the area,” according to the report.

Domingo Domingo worked for Gator Lawn and Landscape of Jupiter. He was part of a four-person crew that arrived at the job site that morning, but was working alone at the time of the incident, the report said.

The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office observed burns to Domingo Domingo’s hands and upper thighs, and later determined the cause of death as electrocution, the report states.

This is the second incident this year in Ocean Ridge of a tree trimmer being killed.

A worker identified as Elmer Eduardo DeLeon Calmo, 32, of West Palm Beach, was pulled into a wood chipper and killed while trimming coconut palms at Ocean Ridge Town Hall on Jan. 28.

He was a member of a crew from Carlton Tree Services, a vendor hired by the town for the work.

— Henry Fitzgerald

Related: In-home health providers stay mobile during hurricanes

With hurricane season here, towns and cities along the coast are offering tips to stay ready.

Recommendations from Boca Raton’s emergency officials include trimming excess foliage and taking advantage of tax-free shopping weeks for storm supplies in July and August.

Highland Beach reminds residents about what is at stake given their location.

“As a barrier island, Highland Beach is in a mandatory evacuation zone when Hurricanes rated as a Category 2 or higher are expected to make landfall,” the town’s website says. “The Town of Highland Beach follows Palm Beach County’s Emergency Operations Center Evacuation orders and policies.”

Delray Beach mentions stocking up on a gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, as well as a similar supply of nonperishable food.

“Don't forget the pets!” its site adds.

Manalapan’s hurricane tips include inspecting windows for rust, missing bolts or other damage.

“Repair immediately,” it urges online.

South Palm Beach’s website advises, “Know where to go for trusted sources of information during a hurricane event.”

One option: Sign up for the town’s emergency notification system called Blackboard by contacting Town Hall at 561-588-8889.

— Charles Elmore

 How, where to move patients plays big part in preparations

Rose Glamoclija, who owns Boca Nursing Services, started planning for hurricane season months ago, such as by listing which of her nurses and aides can do what and for which clients as a storm approaches. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

Related: Getting prepared for storms

By Charles Elmore

The contingencies, the calculations, the human factors start turning over in Rose Glamoclija’s mind long before hurricane season starts each June 1.

Her company, Boca Nursing Services, cares for scores of patients in their own homes, many set along a seascape capable of delivering both startling beauty and abrupt catastrophe.

“Some of the clients live alone,” Glamoclija said. “They live on barrier islands. Some can feel helpless.”

Once a storm takes an ominous turn, often at what seems like the last minute, there’s no calling time out, no asking for a little breathing space to start preparations then. This takes earlier planning for individual needs and possible evacuations.

People who receive in-home health care — or depend on others for their daily care — represent one strand of a wider story of the preparations taking place each year for when the tropics start roiling. 

“Experts are predicting a very active hurricane season, so whether you are a longtime resident, or new to the city, it is critical to prepare now and be ready for a potential storm,” said Boca Raton’s emergency manager, Christine Mucci.

Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30, with peak storm activity expected between mid-August and late October.

Plans in place

State regulators require in-home care providers — among others — to file comprehensive emergency management plans. Those must include “how services will continue to be provided to clients who must evacuate their homes in an emergency,” according to instructions from the Florida Department of Health.

Large senior facilities, such as the Carlisle in Lantana, also have plans for their residents should a hurricane approach. The Carlisle, for instance, has reciprocal agreements with facilities in other areas that it can turn to in a crisis if residents need to be evacuated.

Glamoclija’s privately owned company also prepares, as need be, to evacuate clients north or south or west, away from the projected path of a storm. Because her company offers to handle relocations, it’s important for her to develop relationships with hotels, nursing homes and hospitals so she knows who can take people in crunch time.

Sometimes it can fall on others, not the in-home care agency, to handle the actual evacuation details. In those instances, the relocation decisions might be in the hands of family members or a patient’s designated caregiver. An agency then coordinates with them to ensure that their services continue to be provided at an evacuation location, says Geiselle Surette, owner of Seagrape Concierge Home Healthcare based in Boca Raton.

“Each staff member would be assigned a client, before during and after the storm,” Surette says.

“We have reached out to all of our clients and gone through all of these details with them. It takes time to make sure we have all of the key elements in place,” Surette says. 

Government can also play a role.

Palm Beach County offers special needs sheltering during hurricanes for people who cannot be without electricity because they depend upon life support equipment, have special medical needs, or require assistance with activities of daily living, allowing them to evacuate with their caregivers. Space in a special needs shelter is limited and is prioritized based on need. An online application is available at discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem/SpNS/SpecialNeedsApplication.pdf. 

County Commissioner Marci Woodward, whose district includes South County’s coastal communities, urges people to be aware of the resources available.

“Take a moment to review the county’s comprehensive hurricane guide,” she advised.

That can be found at discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/PDF/Hurricane-Guide.pdf.

Managing care

Seagrape is only three years old and Surette said the company has not yet had a client needing its help to coordinate an evacuation, but she said such care would fall under the concierge services it provides if the situation arose. 

For Glamoclija, whose company has been around for three decades, there’s a practical side to the preparations that amounts to more than just a plan on paper. For example, she employs about 100 nurses and aides at any given time. She takes the time in meetings before hurricane season to establish which of them can handle certain duties in a storm.

That means knowing who can accompany a patient inland to a temporary refuge on short notice. Some workers need to tend to their own families in such a moment.

“By May, we have updated every patient’s home chart,” she said. “That involves calling every doctor and updating their medication lists.”

A common priority is securing at least a two-week supply of all medicines.

With the help of aides, patients might prepare a suitcase in advance of possible evacuation. Supplies at the ready typically include water, nonperishable food and battery-operated lamps, among other things. It’s also good for them to have their IDs and medical information in waterproof bags to include with their other items.

Depending on the patient’s needs, an evacuation could take place by way of a private vehicle or by ambulance. Conditions such as whether patients receive oxygen can affect how they are transported and where they take up temporary residence.

There are usually twists. Glamoclija says one client — a guy in his 90s on Palm Beach County’s southern coast — simply refused to leave with a hurricane coming. She pleaded with him personally. Police said they could not remove him forcibly from his home. The power went out for two hours, but he survived.

The majority of patients tend to fall toward the other end of the spectrum, worrying they might get cut off in the confusion.

Client considerations

Relocation is not limited to people in recommended, voluntary or mandatory evacuation zones, which typically denote high winds or a storm surge.

Just losing electric power can be a very big deal. Thanks to feeder bands, gusts and tornadoes, that can happen in places outside tidy cones or colored spaces on a forecast map.

No power almost certainly means the air conditioning goes out in sweltering conditions, except in a few places with powerful generators. It can also mean elevators don’t work, a serious issue for someone with limited mobility who may live, say, 15 stories up. Or it can be life threatening for someone relying on electrically powered medical equipment.

A big part of Glamoclija’s job involves staying in touch with patients’ families and loved ones, letting them know what is happening each step of the way during a relocation.

And once a storm has passed, the job is hardly wrapped up and done.

“We have the phone numbers for every building,” Glamoclija said. “Is your electricity back? Are your elevators working? Are there power lines down on the street?” 

The overarching goal remains the same.

“We’re trying to lift the worry and burden off them,” she said.

Larry Barszewski contributed to this story.

2025 hurricane details, forecast

• Season started June 1 and ends Nov. 30, with the heaviest storm activity expected from mid-August through October.

• Florida, the state with the highest risk, stands a 92% chance of encountering at least a tropical storm in 2025, and a 65% chance of a hurricane, according to experts from Colorado State University.

• AccuWeather predicts between 13 and 18 named storms in the Atlantic region. That includes seven to 10 hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes that reach Category 3 strength or higher (meaning wind speeds of at least 111 mph).

• The first storm names were Andrea and Barry (short-lived tropical storms that formed in June and have already  dissipated), to be followed by Chantal, Dexter and Erin.

Joy Howell of Delray Beach says many homebuyers new to the area are looking for larger, older homes that are move-in ready and have that something special about them. 'You don’t have a lot to pick from that are fully renovated, completely up to date, with tripped out designs, and yet, have character,' she says. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By John Pacenti

David Cooke, a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman, said for every billionaire who has moved operations to South Florida, there are highly paid professionals who followed in what he called the “tech migration.”

They are professionals with young children. They are sophisticated. And they are looking for unique homes that at least aesthetically capture the Old Florida charm and are renovated and are move-in ready, Cooke said, though in many cases Old Florida may be as young as the early 1980s.

“When I think of Delray and new construction, I think of white concrete houses with black windows. How many of those are going up right now?” Cooke said.

“There was a time when that was what everyone wanted. I feel we are in a place now where people appreciate the old and they want the character.”

This trend isn’t just in Delray Beach. It is being seen up and down Palm Beach County’s coast from Boca Raton to Jupiter, real estate professionals say.

“I am seeing buyers want more move-in ready homes as buyers are more price sensitive and don’t want to deal with renovations,” said Alex Mendel, the owner of Boca Raton’s Mendel Group.

“People still want new — but with character — and homes that still have that homey, you know, warm feeling. A lot of these new builds are ultra modern, a little bit of a colder side,” he said.

Cooke said Delray Beach’s Seagate neighborhood on the barrier island south of Casuarina Road is hot right now because the architecture and character of the homes eschew that bland monochrome aesthetic of brand new construction.

He pointed to a pristine home on Seagate Drive, built in 1950, that he said sold for $8.5 million. It has Mediterranean doorways and arched windows. He pointed to another Seagate Drive home on the market for $6.7 million that is fairly new but still has the aesthetic these buyers want.

“It was built in 2014, but if you look at that house, it could have been built in 1950 and updated,” Cooke said. “It’s full of charm.”

These buyers don’t want open floor plans, Cooke said. He said one client specifically said when he walks in the door he doesn’t want to see the kitchen.

They want walls.

“People who are moving here, they’ve got art collections. They want to hang that art. They don’t want to walk into their house and see dirty dishes, right?” he said.
Mendel concurred.

“I am also seeing walls coming back in style as we move away from a completely open floor plan and closed-off sections,” he said. “More so like a hybrid of open floor plans and closed-off sections.”

An example of this, he said, would be a kitchen separate from the living area or dining area — but still able to entertain or for a parent to keep an eye on the kids while preparing dinner.

Patrick and Kristen McCaughan are a perfect example of the type of prospective buyer that Cooke and Mendel are seeing more and more. The couple, who recently moved from Houston to North Palm Beach and have a toddler, are now looking at older homes in established neighborhoods.

“Florida real estate seems to like these big open spaces where the living, dining and kitchen are all together,” Kristen said. “I like to have walls.”

And the McCaughans are not looking for a fixer-upper.

“I’m willing to do some work if we need to do some bathrooms or this and that, but I’m not looking to have to rebuild a house,” she said. “Especially with, you know, with a young family and all of that.”

Cooke in May said he was encouraging the McCaughans to look at homes as far south as Delray Beach. “I would say they are open-minded,” he said.

Joy Howell, who is selling some Delray Beach properties she previously rented out, said she has seen the trend, as well, recalling one couple who said, “We want one that is not a big white box.”

“Let me say it this way: You don’t have a lot to pick from that are fully renovated, completely up to date, with tripped out designs, and yet, have character.”

They also need to have space, she said.

The homes in the Seagate neighborhood mentioned by Cooke sported as much as 5,000 square feet.

Ken Johnson, a former Florida Atlantic University professor who recently became the Christie Kirkland Walker Chair of Real Estate at the University of Mississippi, called the market a toss-up on whether it favors buyers or sellers. But he said there is a niche market for older homes.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a 200-year-old property in Boston versus a 100-year-old property in Atlanta, Georgia, versus a 50-year-old property in Delray,” Johnson said.

“There are people who like that nostalgic look, and they’re going to have the old tortoise shell shutters on their windows when there’s a risk of a hurricane, and there’s going to be the bright colors and the hardwood floors or the terrazzo tile that’s huge in that area.” 

Readers selected Delray Beach as the ‘Best Beach in Florida’ for the second consecutive year in USA Today’s 2025 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Photo provided 

By Christine Davis

Delray Beach was named for the second consecutive year as the “Best Beach in Florida” in USA Today’s 2025 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. 

To determine the winner, a panel selected a short list of Florida’s finest beaches, and the public was then invited to vote daily for their favorite destination, with voting concluding on May 19.

“We’re thrilled — but not surprised — that Delray Beach has earned this recognition again,” said Laura Simon, executive director of the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority.

Added Stephanie Immelman, CEO of the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce: “In Delray Beach, the beach is just the beginning. Our internationally recognized Blue Flag beach is complemented by a walkable downtown full of unique restaurants, local boutiques and inspiring art galleries. With year-round events and a welcoming, engaged community, Delray Beach is the kind of place people fall in love with — and keep coming back to.”

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Two Florida cities were named All-America for 2025 — and Delray Beach is not one of them. 

The city, one of 20 finalists in the annual National Civic League competition, sent a delegation to Denver to present the city’s case over the June 28-29 weekend, led by Vice Mayor Rob Long and City Manager Terrence Moore.

Delray Beach lost out to Tallahassee and Port St. Lucie — and eight other cities across the country. Delray Beach had previously won the honor in 1993, 2001 and 2017. 

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1140 S Ocean LLC, managed by homebuilder Joseph G. Farrell Jr. of West Palm Beach-based Farrell Cos., sold the ocean-to-Intracoastal estate at 1140 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, for $55.5 million to a company linked to WeatherTech founder and CEO David F. MacNeil.

Farrell bought the 1.6-acre property for $32.5 million in January 2024, then built the 13-bedroom, 23,400-square-foot home with a guesthouse, two pools, a pickleball court, a gym and a dock on the Intracoastal Waterway. It was listed for sale in August 2024 for $95 million. 

A note: In May 2024, MacNeil’s Whiskey Tango 1120 LLC bought the adjacent home at 1120 S. Ocean Blvd. for $38.5 million.

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The five-bedroom, 8,370-square-foot estate at 1788 Royal Palm Way in the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, Boca Raton, sold for $31.5 million. The Intracoastal Waterway property belonged to the late Barbara M. Voorhees, with Candace Clark as personal representative.

The new owner is listed as the 1788 Royal Palm Way Land Trust, with Jeffrey D. Fisher as trustee. Douglas Elliman agent Louise Buehler represented the seller, with David W. Roberts of Royal Palm Properties representing the buyer. 

The home, built on a 0.74-acre lot in 2014, last traded for $16.75 million in 2020.

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Andrew Charles Wilkins, a managing partner of Atlantic Street Capital Management LLC, sold his four-bedroom, 4,344-square-foot Bermuda-style estate at 3809 Bermuda Lane in Gulf Stream for $8.5 million in May.

The new owner is Jason K. Peterson, trustee of the Peterson Trust. The home sits on a 0.94-acre lot. Pascal Liguori Estate Group represented the seller and Cole Devitt of Premier Estate Properties represented the buyer.

Wilkins bought the property in 2018 for $3.6 million. The home was originally listed in October 2023 for $12 million. 

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The eight townhomes of Casa Avenida offer private elevators, second-floor terraces with pool/spa, and much more. Photo provided 

Casa Avenida, a collection of eight four-story townhomes at 102 SE Fifth Ave., Delray Beach, is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2027.

Developed by 4TRO Development and Kastelo Development and designed by RWB-Linares Architecture, the townhomes range in size from 2,804 to 3,336 square feet, with prices starting around $3 million. 

Each unit features a private elevator, two-car garage, second-floor terrace with a pool/spa and a fourth-floor terrace with an outdoor kitchen and bonus room. The townhomes are exclusively offered for sale by TJ Verdiglione and Nicole Melveney of the GVC Real Estate Team at Douglas Elliman.

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Delray Beach-based Festival Management Group named Jennifer Costello as its executive director in June. 

With more than 20 years of experience at the company, Costello started as a school group volunteer, moving up to ultimately serve as associate director assisting one of the founders, Nancy Stewart-Franczak, who died in April. 

Costello is also a retired neighborhood planner with the city of Delray Beach. 

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Boca Raton-based HairClub, a company that offers hair-loss products and treatments, appointed Boca Raton resident Ahmad M. Wardak as its new president and chief executive officer.

Wardak joined the company in September 2022 as chief sales and marketing officer. He later rose to chief financial officer, and then to president/chief operating officer. HairClub credits Wardak with returning the company to profitability after five consecutive years of operating losses.

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The Tinka Ellington Group recently joined Compass, operating out of the Compass office at 101 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. Tinka Ellington and her team of seven agents specialize in coastal and waterfront properties in areas that include Lighthouse Point, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Highland Beach, Delray Beach and Deerfield Beach. 

Previously at 444 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, the team has garnered more than $254 million in sales volume and offers 25 years of combined experience. 

“The team structure Compass offers is most useful for our future growth plans in addition to the brokerage’s superior technology and innovative services, which will greatly benefit our clients,” Ellington said. 

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The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County is hosting a free online discussion with Barbara Cheives titled “Backslide/Backlash: Where Do We Go from Here?” on July 16 from noon to 1 p.m. Cheives is president and CEO of Converge & Associates Consulting. The talk will assess the future of affirmative action and similar initiatives.

Her consulting expertise includes law enforcement and public safety, not-for-profit organizations, media, education and corporations. She served as the first executive director of Toward a More Perfect Union in Palm Beach County, and she is a past chair of the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission. She also served on former West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio’s transition team. 

Register at lwvpbc.org.

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Several growing startups recently joined Global Ventures’ incubator program at the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University to expand their businesses in the United States. Global Ventures offers flexible work spaces, access to university resources, investor connections and expert guidance. 

The new startups are: MyWayv, an Israeli company that uses artificial intelligence to provide emotional and mental health support; Enetsec, a Brazilian-founded startup that uses digital forensics to fight cybercrime; PayPhone App, an Ecuadorian-founded financial tech firm that facilitates mobile payments; FocusSafe, a U.S. and Argentina company that uses education technology software to help schools improve classroom focus and campus safety; and Totaligent, an AI-powered digital marketing platform across email, text, social media and online ads.

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Delray Beach resident Linda Cavasini opened H2Oasis Shampoo Bed Spa, 1325 N. Federal Highway, Suite 122, Delray Beach. With nearly 40 years of hairdressing expertise from here and New York City, Cavasini offers her clients professional classic haircuts, blow-dries, and scalp treatments, all designed to be more than a standard salon visit. She can be reached at 561-389‑4750.

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Delray Beach Housing Authority’s Delray Housing Group Inc. won the Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County’s 2025 Nonprofit of the Year award for Island Cove, an affordable housing community. 

Island Cove, at 900 SW 12th Ave., consists of 60 apartments for eligible families earning below 70% of the median income in the area. The endeavor was a partnership among Smith & Henzy Group, the Delray Housing Group, and Delray Beach Housing Authority.

“The Island Cove project was an immense success in providing affordable housing for the residents we serve in Delray Beach,” said Shirley Erazo, president and CEO of Delray Beach Housing Authority/Delray Housing Group. “We continue to strive for more opportunities for housing. Our commitment is our mission to provide working families a place to call home by providing them with affordable housing opportunities.” 

Send business news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com.

By Mary Hladky

Boca Raton officials said they intended to make it quicker and simpler to park at three city beaches.

But their proposed changes caused widespread confusion and anger, prompting Mayor Scott Singer to pull the matter from the June 10 City Council agenda.

Delaying a council vote, he said on Facebook, would give city staff time to explain its recommendations and to provide additional information to residents.

The city simply is proposing to upgrade its parking technology, he said. Annual beach parking permits will remain and there will be no change to the cost of those permits or the daily parking rates paid by non-permit holders.

That’s not what residents thought when they learned about the changes. Many believed that the parking permits for Spanish River, Red Reef and South Beach parks were being eliminated.

Those permits cost $85 for city residents and those within the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District who live outside the city limits. The daily flat parking rate for non-permit holders driving cars, motorcycles and minivans is $35 on weekdays and $50 on weekends.

Many residents also complained that the changes would reduce their access to beach parking in favor of nonresidents by allowing for hourly parking. They said that would make the spaces more desirable to out-of-towners, who otherwise would have to pay the higher-priced daily rate. That is not the case, city officials said.

“We understand the importance of ensuring enough beach parking for residents,” Singer said in his Facebook post.

At the heart of the misunderstandings is a memo from City Manager George Brown to council members seeking their authorization to establish a parking meter zone — and to authorize the installation of parking meters — for the three beachside parks.

Residents inferred that meant parking meters would be installed and the parking permits would be eliminated.

They also thought they would not get a sticker each year showing they are permit-holders, prompting residents to plead for keeping the sticker system.

It is true that, if the changes are made, residents no longer will have to come to city offices each year to collect the sticker that they show when entering beach parking lots. But city officials see that as a convenience and say it will no longer be necessary to show one if the new parking system is installed.

The city is trying to make the system better by using modern parking technology, officials said. If the city’s plans proceed, meters that use license plate recognition technology will be installed. It would be akin to those used by parking apps such as ParkMobile.

Park users would no longer have to stop at a gatehouse. Instead, they would simply drive in and park. The technology would recognize who is a permit-holder and who is not.

Those without permits would be charged the daily parking rate, officials said.

The idea is to reduce the time beachgoers spend waiting in line at the gatehouses, improve convenience and allow gatehouse staff to be moved into other roles.

Establishing a parking meter zone would be an administrative first step that would allow the other changes to be made, although details are still being worked out.

But that’s on hold for now. The City Council will discuss the proposed changes at a meeting later this summer. 

Though it wasn’t yet July, Boca Helping Hands spent the final $40,000 it budgeted for food purchases in 2025 on 38,000 pounds of canned goods — about a six-day supply — to fill empty shelves at its warehouse.

The organization, like many similar nonprofits, is dealing with higher food prices, government cutbacks and fewer donations.

‘This food isn’t going to last long,’ Executive Director Andrew Hagen said. ‘This is an unusual circumstance because our normal food sources have dried up.’

Hagen hopes to encourage more donations from private groups and individuals.

ABOVE: Boca Helping Hands employees and volunteers unload the truck delivery from Pennsylvania.
Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Rich Pollack

Highland Beach leaders appear to be on track to keep the property tax rate for the coming fiscal year at the same level it has been for the last three years, even though they plan to spend more than $6.6 million on capital projects including a town-wide sewer lining initiative.

“This year’s theme is a focus on capital projects,” said Finance Director David DiLena.

The proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 that starts Oct. 1 will come in at just more than $32.5 million, an increase of about $4.5 million over the current year’s estimated $28 million.

About 75% of the town’s revenue will come from property tax dollars, an expected $14.1 million or a 6.8% increase over the current year. The town’s proposed budget holds its tax rate at a combined rate of $3.58 per $1,000 of assessed value.

If that rate is approved, a home with a taxable value of $500,000 would pay about $1,790 in property taxes to Highland Beach. The proposed tax rate includes an operating millage of $3.41 per $1,000 and a debt service millage of 17.1 cents per $1,000.

Overall property values in the town increased from about $3.8 billion last fiscal year to $4.1 billion, according to preliminary figures from the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office. That means that while the tax rate remains stable, most property owners could see an increase in the amount of tax money paid to the town.

To help cover the cost of the capital projects, which also include building a dock for the town’s police boat and reconstruction of the old fire station, the town is pledging more than $428,000 from reserves.

But Town Manager Marshall Labadie said he anticipates not having to take all of those funds from reserves and may even be able to cover all capital costs without taking any money from the reserves, depending on a few outstanding variables including health care costs.

The town’s overall reserve funds remain strong at more than $8.7 million, with an unassigned reserve fund of more than $2.8 million. Helping to bolster the reserves is the addition of $833,000 unspent from the current year’s budget.

The town’s general fund, which covers the cost of running the town’s departments including police and fire rescue, is expected to increase by about 5.6% in the next fiscal year, or about $1 million, and will come in at about $19.5 million.

Public safety makes up about 63% of the general fund expenses, with fire and police each costing just over $6 million.

The proposed budget also reflects an increase in water and sewer rates of about 5%, while the building department fund anticipates a reduction in permit fees of about 12%.

An estimated $675,000 from the water fund will be used for capital improvements while another $2.15 million from the sewer fund will be used for capital projects, including the sewer lining.

An estimated $706,000 from the building fund will cover capital projects including roof repairs.

Labadie said the proposed budget includes capital projects that the commission has identified as priorities during its strategic planning.

“It’s a true reflection of our values as a commission,” he said.