BCC Briefs

At the June 3, 2008 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Green Task Force – adopted a resolution establishing the Palm Beach County Green Task Force on Environmental Sustainability and Conservation. The 20-member panel will identify and advise the board on actions and policies that can be implemented to encourage healthier, more resource-efficient and sustainable buildings, energy and natural resource conservation, and environmental sustainability.

Historic properties – approved 10-year tax exemptions for two properties in Palm Beach and four properties in West Palm Beach designated as historic. The exemptions pertain to the assessed value of improvements to each property, which resulted from restoration, renovation or rehabilitation. Tax breaks for the six properties for next year total an estimated $8,700.

Housing Finance Authority – approved the issuance of up to $11.425 million in multifamily housing revenue bonds for acquisition, construction and equipping of the 132-unit Colonial Lakes Apartments project in Greenacres. No county funds or its credit are involved.

Ag Reserve – directed staff to cease working on comprehensive plan changes that would have allowed schools, churches and other civic-use facilities in the Agricultural Reserve; approved a settlement in the amount of $1 million allowing for the acquisition of two parcels of land known as North King and South King at West Boynton Farms. The land will be used for environmental preservation purposes.

Roads – directed staff to begin the process of filing eminent domain proceedings against the City of West Palm Beach to acquire right of way, easements and water management areas needed for the extension of Jog Road from Roebuck Road north to 45th Street.

Transportation – approved a budget transfer in the amount of $100,000 for the purchase of a school bus and air-conditioning for two buses for the non-profit Florence Fuller Child Development Centers.

Lake Worth Lagoon – approved a $140,000 contract with the Florida Institute of Technology to conduct a sediment sourcing study in the Lake Worth Lagoon and the C-51 and L-8 Basin drainage canals. Stormwater runoff is a major source of sediment discharge that can have adverse effects on water quality and estuarine habitats. Results of the study will help identify best management practices for reducing pollution in the lagoon.