BCC Briefs

At the March 15, 2011, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Animal Care & Control – adopted a series of new requirements for providers and users of guard dogs, as well as pet breeders and pet store owners. The amendment also prohibits tethering of dogs and cats as a means of confinement, expands the definition of nuisance animals, and revises the provisions pertaining to dangerous and vicious dogs.

Courts – agreed to fund the position of juvenile court case manager with Court Administration. The position was created last year with a Criminal Justice Commission grant that is expiring.

Criminal Justice Commission – received an update from the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) on the inspector general’s report on Pride Integrated Service’s probation contract, electronic monitoring, the Juvenile Detention Center, alternatives to secure detention programs, and CJC members and the Government in the Sunshine Law.

Prescription drug monitoring – adopted a resolution asking the Florida Legislature to support continuance of the prescription drug monitoring program that Gov. Rick Scott wants to eliminate.

Tax Collector – received a report by Tax Collector Anne Gannon on staffing and facilities needed to meet public demand for driver licenses services.

Airports fees – agreed to place a six month moratorium on issuing licenses to new companies wishing to operate taxis or limousines at Palm Beach International Airport. A $75 ground transportation fee charged to currently licensed vehicle-for-hire companies will be good for two years.

Living wage – adopted an ordinance keeping the living wage at its current hourly rate through Sept. 30, 2013. The current rate will be used as the basis for calculating the living wage rate adjustment effective Oct. 1, 2013.

Memorial plaza – declined to reallocate $20,000 for a proposed 9/11 memorial plaza in Lake Lytal Park. Plans for the plaza were dropped, but the board agreed to look at some type of annual observance.

Web award – announced that the county’s website, pbcgov.com, has earned a national Sunny Award for transparency in government. The website maintained by Public Affairs earned an A+ and was rated among the top 100 of more than 6,000 government websites reviewed.