In a previous article, I described the many responsibilities of a county commissioner.  Probably one of the most important of those duties is the adoption of a balanced budget for each fiscal year, which begins every October 1.   The budget, which funds many vital services to the public, is really a plan to accomplish goals and objectives identified as necessary to the purpose of your county government.  Included in the budget are estimates of the appropriations of the resources required, the tax and non-tax revenues available to support implementation of projects and programs, and the number of staff positions estimated to fulfill the optimum level of service.

Strategic priorities identified by the Board of County Commissioners for ad valorem funding (the money collected from your property taxes) include economic development, housing and homelessness, environmental protection, infrastructure, substance abuse and behavioral disorders, and public safety.

For the eleventh straight year, the Board has set the countywide millage rate – the tax rate per $1,000 of your real property's value - at 4.7815 mils.  This will generate approximately $1.054 billion, a 4.8% increase, given the increase in property values.

Revenue sources for the general fund include property taxes (63.3%), fund balance – the excess of fund assets over liabilities (17.5%), intergovernmental revenues - in the form of grants, entitlements, shared revenues, or payments in lieu of taxes (13.2%), licenses, permits and fees (3%), charges for services (2.6%), and interfund transfers (.4%).

The pandemic dealt epic public health and economic hardships to individuals, families and businesses, and at the same time, county revenues came up short, to the tune of $74 million since FY 2019.  Gas taxes, the infrastructure sales tax, and parks and recreation fees were down a combined $17.7 million this past fiscal year.  All the while, costs for providing public services and constructing capital improvement projects continue to go up.

The Board had to find a way to fill a $46.4 million shortfall for the coming fiscal year.  In order to avoid substantial cuts to reserves, department budgets and staffing, the Sheriff's Department (PBSO), and Supervisor of Elections' budgets, the Board approved the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars for eligible expenses, which include capital improvement projects for PBSO and county facilities.  Those funds must be under contract by FY 2024 and spent by FY 2026.  While this is not a recurring, long-term solution to shortfalls, budget analysts anticipate a gradual return of revenues to pre-pandemic levels over the next five years.

For an in-depth look at the County's tax dollars and financial health, and important economic trends, the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller publishes annually a citizen's guide known as Checks & Balances.  You can find it online at www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/pafr, or, you may contact them by phone at (561) 355-2468 or by email at ccpbc@mypalmbeachclerk.com.

As always, please contact me if I can be of assistance to you by calling 561-355-2201 or send an email to mmarino@pbcgov.org.
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