By Dan Moffett
The Briny Breezes Town Council unanimously approved Ira Friedman on July 23 to fill an alderman’s seat that has been open most of the year. Friedman, 74, is a transplant from Boston who has lived in Briny for 18 years. A longtime member of the town’s Planning and Zoning Board, he has been an outspoken critic of high-rise condo development proposals along the A1A corridor.
Friedman, who is known for reminding Briny residents that they live on “the most beautiful 42 acres in Florida,” said friends and neighbors urged him to make his first venture as an elected officeholder.
“People came to me and asked me to do this,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of planning and zoning on my mind. But I’m new here on the council, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Friedman takes the seat vacated by Karen Wiggins in April. Wiggins, who moved to California, served several terms on the council, beginning in 2008.
In other business, council members gave preliminary approval to a proposed budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year that keeps the current tax rate of $10 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Briny’s taxable real estate values rose sharply over last year, increasing by 9 percent to $38.6 million, according to the Palm Beach County property appraiser. In 2014, values were at $35.4 million and rose a meager 0.52 percent from 2013. Officials credit much of the increase to homeowners who are improving their lots and replacing their units. Fees for building and zoning permits have nearly tripled since 2012.
The town’s budget has grown about 15.5 percent, from $659,732 last year to a proposed $762,170. Widening sidewalks to accommodate new golf cart regulations will cost about $75,000, but council President Sue Thaler thinks that expense can be offset by increases in fees for certain police and fire-emergency medical services.
Council members have given up on the idea of raising revenues by increasing fines for parking violations. Town Attorney John Skrandel told the council that the $30 tickets Briny currently gives for standard violations is at the statutory limit and cannot be increased.
Briny Breezes
Proposed tax rate: $10 per $1,000 of taxable value
2014-15 tax rate: $10 per $1,000 of taxable value
Change in property value: 9 percent increase
Total Budget (operating and capital): $762,170
Public hearings: 5:01 p.m. Sept. 10 and 24 at Town Hall
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