Page 8 - Boca Exposure - November '23

Page 8, Boca Exposure
From The Desk Of County Commissioner

Marci Woodward: A Message From Marci

Commissioner Woodward, What’s Coming Near PBI. PopStroke, the innovative Nonprofit Spotlight. Promise Fund of Florida is a
a 20-year resident of Boca mini golf and entertainment concept, is coming to Palm compassionate local nonprofit dedicated to extending vital
Raton, was elected in Beach International Airport (PBI). financial and emotional support to uninsured or underinsured
November 2022 as Palm The state-of-the-art, two-story, open-air venue will feature women in Palm Beach County with breast cancer diagnoses.
Beach County District 4 two 18-hole mini golf courses, a full-service restaurant, a The organization’s mission is to ensure that all women
Commissioner. She serves playground, an ice cream parlor, convenient storage lockers in our area have access to the quality breast cancer care
on the following board of for luggage and a complimentary shuttle service to and from they need through financial assistance, group counseling,
directors as a representative the airport. The flagship location will also offer a private healthcare navigation and more. In 2022, Promise Fund made
of the county commission: events area and a rooftop pool with a bar. It is the perfect a profound impact by assisting over 500 women.
Palm Beach Transportation place to relax and have fun with friends and family before or Local Government 101: Sunshine Law
Planning Agency; after your flight. PopStroke is expected to open in late 2024. What is the Sunshine Law? Florida’s Sunshine Law
South Florida Regional Remember to check out the cell phone waiting lot at guarantees the public’s right to attend and participate in
Transportation Authority (TriRail); Treasure Coast Regional the Travel Plaza (southwest corner of Belvedere Road and meetings of government boards and commissions. The
Planning Council; CareerSource Palm Beach County; Palm Florida Mango) where you can get your car washed, fill up
Beach Cultural Council, and Value Adjustment Board. the tank and grab a coffee until your loved ones arrive! From The Desk Of on page 9
Woodward graduated from the University of South Carolina-
Aiken with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts.
Happy fall. We have had a busy month, and I just
completed my first budget cycle. I voted on budget priorities NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
the day I was sworn in on Nov. 22 a year ago and have spent
the past months learning everything I could about our budget.
I have had many “light bulb” moments in that time. While I
am far from becoming a budgeting expert, I want to share a Boca Raton Concierge Medicine Doctor
few unexpected gems illuminating the process for me.
First, I learned that only 24 percent of this year’s budget,
or $1.8 billion, comes from property taxes. This money Board Certified in
goes into our general fund. The importance of this gem is
in understanding fund accounting. Much of our budget is Internal Medicine
tied to specific funds. This has to do with how we receive with Added Qualifications in
it and how it must be spent.
For example, money from Road Impact Fees from new Geriatrics (2002).
developments can only be spent on constructing new lanes,
additional roadways or intersection improvements as needed Steven E. Reznick, MD, FACP
because of additional traffic caused by the development. It
cannot be used for resurfacing or maintenance of existing Voted a “Best Doctor”
roads. This may seem overly cumbersome; roads are roads, by his peers.
right? However, much of the regulation tied to how funds
are spent has to do with how and why they are collected.
Second, our budget dollar amount increases with Call to request a complimentary meeting
allocations, appropriations, and grants from state and
federal programs. This money is taxpayer money but not with Dr. Reznick.
taxed by us, the county. It is a win for us to get some of
that money back for deserving projects, and we must add
it to our budget. 561.368.0191
For example, we received $113 million in grants
for cells 12 and 13 at the C-51 Reservoir Phase II from
the state. This is a huge win for the county, and we are 7280 W. Palmetto Park Road | 205N
thankful for it. However, it goes into our budget and thus Boca Raton, FL 33433
increases the dollar amount. www.bocaconciergedoc.com
We also serve as a “pass-through” for funding from
the state or federal governments for some of our smaller
municipalities and organizations that use us to administer the
funds. This helps bridge the gap between larger government
entities and smaller groups within our county. All of these
items increase our overall budget. Serving Your Needs LLC
Lastly, 43 percent of our budget, or $3.3 billion, is from
carryover funds from the previous year. Much of this is
reserves, which include capital project reserves. Why does We have a wide variety of services offered.
this money carry over? Some of it is because many of our Many other specialty services delivered upon
projects take multiple years to complete, especially larger request. Dependable concierge services at
building or road projects, and the money is only transferred
to pay in phases of completion. Some funds accumulate over affordable rates.
time to an amount necessary to begin the project.
For a personalized example, I can apply for a grant
that helps homeowners pay for major home renovations
because I need a new roof. I receive a $50,000 grant to
be allocated at equal payments over five years ($10,000
a year). I can save the payments over several years until
I accumulate enough to pay for the new roof, or I can
pay for the replacement out-of-pocket with either savings
(reserves) or take out a loan (bond) and pay myself back
as the yearly installments come in. ServiCeS OffereD
I also have the option to spend any excess money on
other home improvements, but I cannot use it to buy a • Handyman Short or Long Distance
car, take a vacation, or anything else that is not a home • Housesitter
improvement. This is a very simplified version of fund • Personal Drivers
accounting and carryover funds. • rental Property • errands free estimates
There is so much more to our budget, but these three Management • Deliveries
lessons stood out as foundational to understanding how • Prepping Move in-Out
the cake is baked! • Pick-Ups, Drop-Offs We’re One Call Away
District 4 Improvements. The Clint Moore and Jog • Professional Organizer • events 561-399-9360
Road intersection is now open after a major improvement • Pack/Unpack • Airport
project that added two new lanes and other safety features. • in-Home Petcare
The project was funded by impact fees, a one-time fee
for new development to help pay for the infrastructure • residential House Cleaning
needed to support the area.
Over the next few years, nearly $18 million will be servingyourneeds.net We accept payments through: Cash App, Debit and Credit
spent on major road projects in my south county district. Serving Your Needs LLC Gift Certificates Available!
So expect to see road crews out and about!