By John Pacenti
First, it was about the drinking water supplied to town residents. Now it’s also about the fire rescue services residents receive.
Ocean Ridge leaders have learned that Palm Beach County could assume responsibility for Boynton Beach’s water utilities and its fire rescue services — both of which the town uses.
Any changes would affect Briny Breezes, which also relies on Boynton Beach for water and fire rescue services.
Ocean Ridge Town Manager Michelle Heiser informed the Town Commission at its Jan. 12 meeting of the fire rescue possibility, though she noted Boynton Beach’s discussions with the county are in the preliminary stages regarding the fire department.
“This is really exploring options,” Heiser said.
Heiser told commissioners she was monitoring the situation and did not expect an immediate drop in service, but she cautioned that “sometimes change means a change in costs as well.”
For the current fiscal year, Ocean Ridge pays Boynton Beach nearly $1.6 million for fire and EMS services.
Town Attorney Christy Goddeau noted existing agreements can limit how and when services are changed, saying the current agreement for fire rescue services is good through Sept. 30, 2028.
Boynton Beach and county officials have not released a timetable for a decision. Any formal proposal likely would prompt public hearings and disclosures detailing the operational and financial impacts before elected bodies decide whether to proceed.
The fire rescue considerations came in the wake of earlier announcements that Boynton Beach would also consider handing over its water treatment operations to Palm Beach County.
Boynton Beach City Manager Dan Duggar has said the city would drop its efforts to annex several communities west of its boundaries if the county would purchase the city’s water operations.
The County Commission has approved county staff’s investigating a potential takeover of Boynton Beach’s water utilities.
Besides getting water and fire rescue services from Boynton Beach, Ocean Ridge relies on city staff for its vast expertise, Heiser said.
“Our relationship with the city ... has been really strong from the city manager’s office to the fire department and also, specifically, the utilities department,” Heiser said.
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