There’s been a change in his title, but the job description remains the same for Boca Raton’s Steven Abrams.
By a 4-3 vote in mid-January, Abrams, the District 4 Palm Beach County commissioner, became the mayor of Palm Beach County, instead of the commission chairman. Vice chairperson Pricilla Taylor became vice mayor.
The name change, which was Abrams’ idea, will help put Palm Beach County on par with Broward County, Miami-Dade County and other Florida counties with mayors, Abrams said. It was not about individual prestige, he said.
The title will move around each year to a different commissioner and won’t give anyone any extra powers.
While not a strong mayor proposal, the title change “accomplishes some of that intent for those who would want a more visible leader in the county,” Abrams said.
Commissioners who voted yes (Abrams, Paulette Burdick, Taylor and Hal Valeche) suggested the measure would allow the commission to improve quality of life and recruit business to the county.
Opponents (Commissioners Jess Santamaria, Shelley Vana and Mary Lou Berger) said the title will not bring business to the county. Vana argued that if the county were going to have a mayor, it should a ballot issue.
Abrams was mayor of Boca Raton from 2001 to 2008.
— Staff report
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