print

At the December 16, 2008 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Public Safety – approved an increase from $25 to $75 per year for processing and issuance of adult entertainment work identification cards and raised the cost for duplicate cards from $5 to $25. The fee increases, the first since 1999, are needed to cover the cost of the ID program.
The board also adopted an ordinance, effective Jan. 1, 2009, that prohibits nightclubs that serve alcohol from admitting persons under age 21. It applies only to clubs located in unincorporated areas and exempts military personnel and employees of the club who are at least 18. Nightclubs will also be required to have security/law enforcement on site from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Legislative Affairs – reviewed the draft FY 2009 state legislative program which outlines the issues and funding requests the county’s lobbying team will be pursuing in Tallahassee.

Fire Rescue – amended the boundaries of the county’s Fire Rescue municipal services taxing unit (MSTU) to allow inclusion of the City of Lake Worth and the Village of Palm Springs. Both municipalities wish to abolish their fire rescue departments and receive services from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

Redding Road – canceled the MSTU project for a water distribution system on Redding Road.

Annexation – approved the annexation of four enclaves by the Village of Palm Springs located north and south of Forest Hill Blvd. between Military Trail and Kirk Road.

Economic Development – approved an economic development ad valorem tax exemption of up to $1.041 million over six years for Flight Safety International, Inc. The company is expanding its Palm Beach County operation and will create 50 new jobs at an average annual salary of $65,000.

LIHEAP – approved an agreement with the Florida Department of Community Affairs for $4.503 million in low-income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP) funding. The money will enable PBC Community Action to provide utility assistance and prevent utility disconnection for approximately 10,950 low-income households in the county and to hire three temporary staff positions.

Pine Crest – approved the issuance of up to $18 million in industrial revenue bonds for the lease/purchase of a new HVAC system at Pine Crest Preparatory School in Fort Lauderdale. No county funds or its credit are involved.

# # #