A Message from Marci
As many of you know, Palm Beach County Commissioners serve four-year terms. I was first elected to the Board of County Commissioners in November 2022, and as my first term comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past four years, the relationships that have been built, and some of the work we have accomplished together in District 4 and throughout Palm Beach County.
First and foremost, I want to sincerely thank the residents who have taken the time to email, call, write letters, attend community meetings, and meet with me over the years. Your input is one of the most valuable parts of serving in local government. You help keep me informed about the issues that matter most to our community I am grateful to everyone who has taken the time to make their voice heard.
Over the past four years, I have also had the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with many of the organizations that play an important role in our community. I want to recognize the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations (COBWRA), the Alliance of Delray Residential Associations, the Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Associations, and the many chambers of commerce I have worked with, including my local Boca Regional Chamber. I also want to thank the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County for its continued engagement in strengthening our local economy.
Our nonprofit community deserves special recognition as well. With more than 6,000 nonprofit organizations throughout Palm Beach County, these groups make an incredible difference in the lives of our residents every day. Organizations such as Spirit of Giving, Best Foot Forward, and the Golden Bell Foundation are just a few examples of the many nonprofits doing important work in our community. Their involvement helps keep local government connected to the needs of the people we serve.
I am proud of the work we have accomplished in several important areas throughout District 4 and Palm Beach County. Improving transportation and infrastructure has been one of my priorities, from helping advance the County’s first Countywide Transportation Master Plan, bringing together all 39 municipalities, the County, the State, and the School District, to advocating for Tri-Rail and improving roadway safety. I have also supported new traffic signals, pedestrian crosswalks, roadway resurfacing projects, and $3 million in funding for sidewalks near schools. Throughout District 4, I have worked closely with County staff to address neighborhood traffic concerns, improve infrastructure, and expand transportation options for residents.
Fiscal responsibility and transparency have also remained important priorities. From advocating for greater flexibility to temporarily suspend the local gas tax to hosting a district-wide Property Tax Tour, I have worked to help residents better understand how their tax dollars are spent. Addressing housing affordability has been another focus, including my efforts to create the Homebuyer Match Program, which provides up to $50,000 in matching assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers using developer contributions rather than taxpayer dollars.
Supporting our local workforce and veterans has been equally important. I worked to advance a countywide Internship Portal through CareerSource Palm Beach County, connecting students and job seekers with local employers, while supporting opportunities in the skilled trades. I also worked alongside my colleagues to establish a Veterans Advisory Committee and improve access to services and resources for the more than 70,000 veterans who call Palm Beach County home.
Protecting our natural resources and improving public spaces has also been an important part of my work. I have supported beach restoration efforts in Ocean Ridge, improvements at Ocean Inlet Park, and environmental initiatives such as the Bonefish Cove habitat restoration project. I have also worked to advance improvements at local parks, including Caloosa Park, Lake Ida East Park, and Daggerwing Nature Center, while supporting the preservation of 168 acres through Florida’s Greenways and Trails System. Beyond these larger initiatives, some of the most meaningful accomplishments have come from working directly with residents to address everyday concerns, whether that means improving street lighting, addressing neighborhood safety issues, or coordinating with County departments to resolve local problems.
As I reflect on these past four years, I recognize that none of this work happens alone. It takes collaboration among residents, community organizations, County staff, municipal partners, and my colleagues on the Board of County Commissioners. Serving the residents of District 4 has been an incredible honor, and I am grateful for the conversations, partnerships, and opportunities to make a difference over these past four years. While there is always more work to be done, I am proud of the progress we have made together.
Thank you to my husband for participating as a partner in this process. And happy we added Fritz and Toby to our family due to meeting Barky Pines Animal Rescue & Sanctuary.
Thank you all for staying engaged, sharing your ideas, and helping make Palm Beach County a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.
Florida’s Amendment 3: 101
In the June newsletter, I provided an overview of Florida’s proposed Amendment 3 and its potential impacts on property taxes and local government services. You can revisit at https://conta.cc/43FxHNI. With the November election approaching, I wanted to share an additional resource that provides residents with helpful information about how property taxes work in Palm Beach County.
Palm Beach County staff has created a dedicated webpage that explains how property taxes are calculated, the role of millage rates and homestead exemptions, and how property tax revenues support County services. The page also includes information about the proposed amendment, its potential impacts, and frequently asked questions. I appreciate the time and effort County staff put into developing this valuable resource and making important property tax information more accessible and easier for residents to understand.
Visit the link below to explore this helpful resource and learn more about your property taxes and the proposed amendment.
https://discover.pbc.gov/Pages/property-tax.aspx
District 4 Improvements
The Cam D. Milani Park project in Highland Beach continues to move forward, bringing Palm Beach County one step closer to expanding public beach access for residents and visitors. The County has approved the next phase of preconstruction services, which includes design reviews, planning, and preparations for future construction.
Once completed, the park will provide residents with greater access to Palm Beach County’s beautiful coastline, featuring an elevated boardwalk, public restrooms, lifeguard facilities, and designated parking.
This project reflects the County’s continued commitment to preserving public access to our beaches and creating more opportunities for residents and families to enjoy our coastal resources.
Election Dates and Deadlines
Election season is coming up, and I want everyone to be aware of some deadlines. Voting is important, and it’s a great way to make your voice heard! Please take a moment to review the dates below and make sure you don’t miss any important deadlines.
• Early Voting – Monday, October 19, through Sunday, November 1, from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm
• Deadline to request that a Vote-by-Mail ballot be mailed to you – Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 5:00 pm
• Election Day – Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Deadline to return your Vote-by-Mail ballot – Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 7:00 pm to Supervisor of Elections Main Office or at 5:00 pm to a Branch Office or Secure Ballot Intake Station
For more information, visit https://www.votepalmbeach.gov/
Nonprofit Spotlight
This month, I’m pleased to highlight Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, a nonprofit organization that has been serving our community since 1946.
Based in West Palm Beach, Lighthouse for the Blind provides education, rehabilitation, and support services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired throughout Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.
The organization serves individuals of all ages, from children and young adults to working professionals and seniors experiencing age-related vision loss. It also provides valuable resources for families and caregivers, along with educational services to businesses and community organizations to promote accessibility and inclusion.
Through charitable support, Lighthouse for the Blind is able to offer most of its services at no cost, helping individuals develop essential skills, maintain independence, and participate more fully in their communities.
Thank you to Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches for its decades of dedicated service and its continued commitment to making Palm Beach County a more accessible and inclusive community for all residents.
October is recognized as Blind Equality Achievement Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals who are blind or visually impaired and raise awareness about accessibility, independence, and equal opportunities. October 15 also marks White Cane Awareness Day, recognizing the importance of the white cane as a tool for independence and mobility.
For more information, visit https://www.lhpb.org/
Did You Know?
Palm Beach County is supported by nearly 40 departments and divisions, with more than 7,000 employees working every day to serve our county.
Many of our County employees dedicate their careers to serving our community, working behind the scenes to ensure our residents receive the essential services they rely on every day.
This month, I’m proud to spotlight Ryan Mimnaugh, Utility Field Customer Service Superintendent with Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department (PBCWUD).
Ryan has dedicated 27 years of service to PBCWUD, receiving his training and advancing his career within the department. Throughout his time with the utility, he has gained extensive experience in water distribution, wastewater operations, and customer service.
In his current role as Superintendent, Ryan coordinates daily work assignments for field supervisors, ensures employees receive the necessary technical and safety training, and oversees meter replacement programs, large meter testing, and meter sizing. His work helps ensure the accuracy and reliability of water services for residents and businesses throughout Palm Beach County.
Over the course of his career, Ryan has earned numerous professional licenses and certifications, including a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Level 1 Water Distribution License, Class B Drinking Water Treatment Plant Operator License, Class A Wastewater Certification, and Backflow Test and Repair Certifications. These qualifications reflect his commitment to professional growth and serving our community.
Ryan’s work plays an important role in ensuring accurate water meter readings and testing, which are essential for fair billing, tracking water usage, and maintaining the integrity of our utility system. Beyond these responsibilities, Ryan finds the greatest satisfaction in helping customers identify and resolve issues directly in the field.
The Customer Service Field team works closely with nearly every area of PBCWUD, including treatment plants, engineering, plan review, contract management, GIS, and field contractors. Their work connects the various stages of water distribution, from coordinating infrastructure needs to establishing final GPS locations and activating utility services for customers.
Ryan’s experience, technical knowledge, and dedication to customer service reflect the important work our County employees do every day to keep essential services running.
Ryan, thank you for your 27 years of service to Palm Beach County and your continued commitment to our residents!
For more information, visit https://discover.pbc.gov/waterutilities/Pages/default.aspx
If you require assistance, please contact our office at 561-355-2204 or email [email protected].
