As we approach the end of summer, I wanted to take a moment to share some of the highlights from the past few weeks.

While the Board of County Commissioners has a "summer break" from the end of July through August, I've been busy traveling throughout District 4, visiting some of the 13 municipalities we serve, including Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton.

One of my top priorities as your County Commissioner is to bridge the gaps between county and municipal governments. I firmly believe that by working together, we can make our entire county a better place for all residents.

After all, when a constituent has a concern—whether it’s about a road or any other issue—they don’t care who’s in charge, be it the county, city or state. What matters most is that they receive the assistance they need, and I’m committed to fostering those relationships to ensure that happens.

This summer, I also had the opportunity to speak at the Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Associations, where I provided updates on several exciting county projects. It's always a pleasure to engage directly with the community and share the work we’re doing.

Of course, I did manage to carve out a little time to recharge with my husband, Michael, and our two dogs, Zoey and Fritz. We enjoyed a wonderful staycation in the Keys—just what I needed to gear up for the busy months ahead.

As we transition into the new season, please know that our office is always here to assist with any concerns or questions you may have.

And to all our Palm Beach County students and teachers heading back to school this month—good luck! Your future is bright!

We kicked off with a highly productive Board of County Commissioners meeting, where a key highlight was the Board's unanimous decision to move forward with negotiations for Vanderbilt University's second campus in Palm Beach County. The proposed agreement would allow the university to develop on county-owned land along Evernia and Fern Streets.

Vanderbilt, a prestigious private university based in Nashville, Tennessee, has outlined plans for a 300,000-square-foot graduate campus in downtown West Palm Beach, focusing on computer science, artificial intelligence, and an "innovation hub" aimed at entrepreneurship.

I'm excited about the possibility of a campus in our county that emphasizes graduate degrees in finance, data, and technology—strengthening the workforce we already have and preparing for the future.

At our recent BCC meeting, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) was in the house to celebrate the exceptional achievements of the girls' softball team.

Their 2024 season was remarkable, with 41 wins, the American Athletic Conference Championship regular season title in their first year with the AAC, and an NCAA Regionals appearance—their first since 2016. Kudos to the entire team for this incredible accomplishment!

I also had the honor of presenting a proclamation declaring September 7 as "Hoot and Holler" FAU Tailgating Day. Since the FAU Football Stadium opened in 2011, the Hoot & Holler group has brought together locals and visitors for some unforgettable tailgating fun, creating a vibrant community spirit.

Here’s to more great times and victories ahead—Go Owls!!

Palm Beach County continues to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers to finalize design modifications that will keep the traditional route to the Intracoastal Waterway unchanged. This should be completed next month, and the final plans will be shared here.

For the past month, sand has been transported from Peanut Island to build the northernmost island at Bonefish Cove, which is now taking shape. The islands will be stabilized with limestone rock once formed.

When completed, the islands and oyster reefs will create important habitats for shorebirds and mangroves, while improving water quality with seagrass and oyster growth.

North Island at Bonefish Cove

The HabCenter fashion show is always a highlight of the year, and this year's "Into the Wild" theme was a hit!

Clients rocked the runway in feathered hats and animal-print outfits, bringing energy and style to this fantastic Boca Chamber Festival Days event.

It’s always inspiring to see the community come together for such a great cause.

The HabCenter is a local nonprofit dedicated to serving adults with lifelong developmental and intellectual disabilities. The center provides a full-time day program with services, including mental/behavioral health, job training and placement, and educational and recreational activities.

We are looking for a committed resident of district four, living in unincorporated Palm Beach County, to join the Library Advisory Board. This board plays a crucial role in reviewing and shaping the programs, policies and budgetary needs of the Palm Beach County Library System.

Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at the Palm Beach County Main Library, 3650 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach.

For more information, contact our office at 561-355-2204.

The Tax Collector’s Office has added four new MV Express kiosks, increasing the total to nine across Palm Beach County.

These "ATM-like" kiosks allow you to renew and print your registration and decal in just minutes. Simply bring your registration renewal notice PIN or license plate number, the date of birth of the first registered owner and a credit or debit card.

New and existing kiosk locations in our area include:

• Publix at Shoppes at Village of Golf - 11200 S. Military Trail, Golf

• Publix at Reserve Shopping Center - 9720 Clint Moore Rd., Boca Raton

• Publix at Boynton Lakes Plaza - 4770 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach

• Publix at Gardens Shops at Boca - 7060 W. Palmetto Park Rd., Boca Raton

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) offers several nonstop flights, including the return of nonstop service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from now until April 29.

JetBlue, the only carrier connecting Palm Beach directly to the West Coast, will operate this route.

Additionally, we’re thrilled to announce a new record of over eight million passengers from over the past year, a nearly 14% increase over our pre-pandemic record. Thanks to our hardworking airport team and partners for making this possible!

Mental health matters, and the South County Mental Health Center (SCMHC) provides important behavioral health and substance abuse care to over 10,000 Palm Beach County residents annually!

SCMHC offers a wide range of services, including inpatient and outpatient care, crisis intervention and specialized programs for children, adults and the elderly.

In addition to its clinical services, SCMHC actively engages with the community through educational programs aimed at reducing stigma and promoting mental wellness.

These efforts help create a supportive environment for individuals dealing with mental health challenges, ultimately fostering a stronger, more resilient community.

The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office is preparing to send out this year's Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices to all property owners in the county on August 22.

These notices provide important information about a property's market, assessed and taxable values, as well as any exemptions or assessment reductions that may apply.

The TRIM notice also includes proposed tax rates, or millages, for each taxing authority, along with details about budget hearings where residents can express their opinions on these rates.

For property owners with an existing homestead exemption who have not purchased a new home in the past year, there is no need to reapply.

However, permanent Florida residents who have not yet filed may be eligible for a homestead exemption, which could save them $750 to $1,000 annually in property taxes.

This exemption also limits the annual increase in assessed value to a maximum of 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. For 2024, the maximum increase will be 3%. The deadline to file for a homestead exemption is March 1 of the qualifying year.

The Property Appraiser’s Office is available to help residents understand their TRIM notices, including questions about property values, exemptions and assessment caps.

An interactive TRIM guide is available here, and residents can contact the office directly at 561-355-2866 for assistance.

If a property owner believes their market value is inaccurate or an exemption is missing, they are encouraged to reach out for an informal review.

Additionally, they have the right to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board if necessary.

The final tax bill will be mailed by the Palm Beach County Tax Collector in November.

I recently had lunch with Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks to discuss TRIM notices, homesteaded properties, taxable values across municipalities, and more!

We had some brilliant minds tackle our May trivia question: "What did they call the beach-walker who carried mail on foot from Jupiter to Miami?"

A big round of applause to everyone who correctly guessed Barefoot Mailman!

We welcome your feedback on our District 4 newsletter. Please let us know if you found this information helpful and what else you would like to know.