WEST PALM BEACH – At its May 3 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution expanding by 1.1 acres the amount of land leased for research and educational purposes at Loggerhead Marinelife Center and extending the lease term to 35 years.
In other business, the commission took the following action:
Redistricting – adopted a list of criteria to be followed in the analysis, review and development of proposed changes to Board of County Commission district maps based on 2010 U.S. Census data.
Campaign-free zones – rejected a resolution that would have designated County Commission meetings as campaign-free zones.
Audit/budget efficiency study – directed staff to gather data from other governmental entities that have hired efficiency consultants to review budget and audit procedures, and to get bids and proposals for possible consideration next year.
Budget workshop – announced that a June 13 budget workshop will be held in the evening in the board chambers.
Domestic partners – approved creation of a family care leave policy for domestic partners of county employees mirroring the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Tax exemption – granted The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach a tax exemption as a historic property. An estimated $61,767 per year for the next 10 years will be exempted from tax rolls
Sand transfer plant – approved a request by the town of Palm Beach to fund operation and maintenance of a sand transfer plant at the Lake Worth Inlet at a cost of approximately $300,000 per year.
Annexations – approved the voluntary annexation of six parcels on Kirk Road near Park Lane in Palm Springs, and a 1.88-acre enclave south of Boynton Beach Boulevard and west of Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach.