John F. “Jeff” Koons was first elected to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners in November 2002 and re-elected to his second term in November 2006 currently serving as Chairman.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Miami University, and for 30 years was employed with the Fort Lauderdale/Palm Beach Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, beginning as a delivery driver and succeeding to Vice President of Community Relations.  He has resided in West Palm Beach since 1972 and is the father of three grown daughters.

Commissioner Koons has a long history of community service, having entered public service through his leadership role in neighborhood associations. He has served on boards and committees for numerous social service agencies, and cultural, educational and governmental organizations.  He held office for 11 years on the West Palm Beach City Commission, also serving as Mayor in 1991 and Commission President in 1989 and 1997-1999.

As a County Commissioner, Jeff Koons has utilized the knowledge and experience gained through his extensive community involvement to address the needs of the diverse populations that make up District 2.  A long-time supporter of the arts, Commissioner Koons works with local cultural groups and the School District to provide more opportunities for children and youth to have greater access to visual and performing arts.

One of Commissioner Koons’ main priorities is the revitalization and redevelopment of blighted neighborhoods, which includes the creation of more affordable housing for our workforce, seniors and young families, the development of neighborhood parks and the installation of water mains, paved roads and sidewalks.  Mr. Koons works closely with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in solving problems in high-crime areas through county-funded programs, including street lighting installations to deter criminal activity.

This interest in social issues also steered Commissioner Koons to help form the Criminal Justice Commission Mental Health/Substance Abuse Planning Council, which he has chaired since 2007.  This committee’s purpose is to provide long-term strategies on issues relating to planning, efficiency, availability and funding for adult and juvenile criminal justice, mental health, and substance abuse programs.

Concurrent with that effort, Commissioner Koons proposed and presently chairs the county’s Homeless Advisory Board.  Under a federal mandate from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, this board, comprised of members representing government, business, the judiciary, social service agencies, homeless service providers, clergy and the formerly homeless, has developed a 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness in Palm Beach County.  Implementation is now underway.

Known for his knowledge of transportation issues, Mr. Koons has focused his efforts on improving transit options, including rapid transit bus corridors and establishing a dedicated funding source for regional transportation projects.  He has taken the lead in facilitating the permitting of additional bus benches and shelters throughout the urban area to better serve our fixed route transit riders and has supported expansion of paratransit services for the elderly, the economically disadvantaged, and the disabled.

Commissioner Koons served as Chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) from 1993 - 2008.  The MPO is responsible for transportation planning and programming in Palm Beach County and directs how and where available state and federal dollars for transportation improvements will be spent.  In addition, Commissioner Koons served on the Regional Transportation Organization beginning in 1999, which evolved into the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).  He has served on the RTA Board since November 2002, as Chairman in 2005-2006 and was re-elected to Chairman in 2009.  RTA operates Tri-Rail, South Florida’s commuter rail service from Miami to the Palm Beaches.

In Commissioner Koons’ role as the Board’s appointee to the Children’s Services Council, he actively supports quality preschool and after-school programs in our public schools and is a strong advocate for fully funding the state’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten program.  He also is currently helping to facilitate planning efforts for schools in the county’s urban in-fill areas.

A true nature lover, Commissioner Koons has served as Chair of the Palm Beach County Artificial Reef and Estuarine Enhance Committee since 2007. He is involved in the Ocean to Lake Trail project, which connects recreational paths and facilities all the way from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Okeechobee.  Additionally, he is participating in planning and implementation efforts for the North and South Everglades Natural Areas greenway projects.