[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6583537,"mediaKeyId","3071291-d02c37c3fe192813ca3edf7d817b4df2","parentId",3071291,"title","Boca Raton posts $24.4 million net position gain in 2024; auditors give clean opinion","audioSeconds",3670,"startMs",2742000,"endMs",6412000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071291-d02c37c3fe192813ca3edf7d817b4df2&start=2742&end=6412","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071291-d02c37c3fe192813ca3edf7d817b4df2/thumbnail_2742000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6583537/Boca-Raton/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Boca-Raton-posts-244-million-net-position-gain-in-2024-auditors-give-clean-opinion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583537-d6cd2e825e0166209df453ca4192033a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770545992&Signature=jaJfzn4zRP2ZWnpXyxWFBxL-VNYpueaEpLrpWtKw63KcEkRK~H15iXtXnqN9U0a9OhExtVhXtfGmpFhUihipaH4q7eu4h6ztOkLTaaQvboSdPn-dkr6-~NbG7etjEkCMDHLSTjencx7GxofuiRzIJZDBpmmougWbZtdWXq9jrmTsMipmAuY79Shp9wlAFGnviIENZZL0KcJac1WUANjy2laUktvohuduTJn5Go4vE1H9NaGZRw8XCzTfsjmzpCzeetqdLIeAe4SSmB2l9Xh~PvCXOIqM03G-x9JexQTG-LbZ9KIh~t~S1hQTO8SuUoabT4ALa3ohIJXtaN8ZzwxVFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boca Raton","date","2025-04-21T14:09:00Z","article","City financial staff on Monday presented the City of Boca Raton’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal 2024 and a long‑range financial plan update covering projections through 2030. The report shows the city ended the year with about $1.5 billion in total assets, $469 million in liabilities and an overall increase in net position of roughly $24.4 million.

The presentation was led by the city’s finance director and deputy CFO and included an independent auditor’s report from CBIZ. Hermes Garzon, senior audit manager for CBIZ, told the council the firm issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the financial statements and reported no internal control material weaknesses or compliance exceptions. Garzon also reported the city met the thresholds for a single audit of federal and state awards; the auditors tested selected programs and found no reportable noncompliance.

Key numbers and takeaways: the city reported approximately $122.7 million in property tax revenue and roughly $469 million in total revenues across all funds. The general fund recorded $228.32 million in revenues, $217.0 million in expenditures and a year‑end general fund surplus of $7.7 million. Water and sewer enterprise operations showed roughly $84.2 million in revenues with an ending unrestricted net position of about $122 million.

City staff highlighted pension and OPEB (other post‑employment benefits) items. The ACFR’s pension schedules show pension funding improved after strong investment returns; staff told the council that timing differences contributed to year‑to‑year volatility and that the city maintains a separate retirement sustainability fund of roughly $50 million. Auditors recommended the city document the OPEB plan more formally; staff said they would prepare that documentation.

Sherry McGuire, budget director, presented the long‑range financial plan update. Her office used historical trends and conservative assumptions — for example a five‑year average growth assumption of about 5.2% for property tax revenue and modest increases for other revenues — and projected operations to 2030. The model shows expenditures growing slightly faster than revenues under current assumptions and a modest drawdown of unassigned fund balance over the forecast horizon. McGuire told the council staff recommends evaluating fee adjustments, cost containment, continued investment in economic development and maintaining fund balance policies as tools to manage the forecast.

The audit and compliance reports also flagged no federal or state grant noncompliance for the programs tested. Auditors noted one recommendation: formally document the city’s OPEB plan language. Council members asked several technical questions about assessed value growth, fund balance categories (nonspendable, restricted, committed, assigned, unassigned) and pension funding ratios; staff responded with supporting schedules showing a ten‑year history.

Next steps: staff will finalize ACFR submissions and follow up on the OPEB documentation. The long‑range financial plan will inform budget season work and staff recommended continued monitoring of pension contributions and fund balance targets.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boca Raton - City Council Workshop - Apr 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City financial staff on Monday presented the City of Boca Raton’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal 2024 and a long‑range financial plan update; auditors issued a clean opinion and staff reported a $7.7 million general fund surplus for the year.","taxTitle","Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",3932,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583538,"Boca Raton outlines conceptual recreation master plan, proposes relocations and new facilities",538,1144000,1682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071291-d02c37c3fe192813ca3edf7d817b4df2&start=1144&end=1682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071291-d02c37c3fe192813ca3edf7d817b4df2/thumbnail_1144000.jpg","/articles/6583538/Boca-Raton/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Boca-Raton-outlines-conceptual-recreation-master-plan-proposes-relocations-and-new-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583538-a91531987a6a6a4dc96c092b7c2e0224/orig.mp4?Expires=1770545992&Signature=OSNeAxKOm30zmn-hMgqdnGCdBe6kjWx7fV9tZir7oFUCaMhd-UHRogZL1OmuAewCML-YJY4GLPKVt6SrMq6xTrt7U1cJbCQmQtb4s5lpKf5B02l6y~ARil8vLm5f9lKaGSB6sSVQuX5YrfN5p7Yb4Tlt0XyQmq~IIJzmHZKHZw3eQ5s9RzYdFm3e-N5pf7d1qMq-M2z5V8e7n71vuX5kKX0zHt7EaFmS40IYvW3yozIMHIKCIoaO5vGTiuq1RHzkXL6bUC7XAKlomUc33zmTzvZ7~IPBTWvxu~Wb~BzmGvzJ~H1FkjqNdcLp0oOlEGCdyZKvVit3zQE-tu8nc-tzxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Greg Stevens, the city’s recreation services director, and Brianne Harms, executive director of the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, on Monday briefed the Boca Raton City Council on a 98‑day conceptual recreation master‑planning process that could move softball fields, add lighted sand volleyball, expand pool capacity and identify locations for a skate park, pump track and a possible field house.

The presentation, led by Keith & Associates under a contract initiated March 13, lays out five tasks: due diligence, staff planning sessions, three conceptual plan options per site, public presentation and as‑needed revisions. Stevens told the council the consultant will produce “3 up to 3 conceptual plans for each site, preliminary budget estimates, preliminary parking and traffic analysis, and then recommendation and next steps.”

Why it matters: the recreation work is tied to planned downtown campus changes and to long‑standing needs for additional rectangular fields and indoor court space. The city and district said the conceptual effort is intended to free space at downtown sites by relocating amenities and to provide options before a formal master plan is adopted.

Stevens and Harms described sites under study: Meadows Park, Sugar Sand Park (Tract A identified as an 11‑acre developable area for relocated softball fields), University Woodlands Park (often called Woodlands Park), Dehornley Park, North Park and Sugar Sand’s northern section. The teams are evaluating where to relocate downtown amenities and whether to expand or replace the Meadows Park pool. “If we keep the current pool... it needs extensive… upgrading and work,” Stevens said, adding the existing facility cannot be made deeper or larger.

Council members asked detailed questions about communication with advisory boards and timelines. Councilmember [Miss] Nicholas pressed why the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board is brought in later in the process; Stevens said staff aimed to develop initial conceptual options then solicit board and public input after those options are ready. Stevens and Harms said public presentations will be scheduled for mid–late July to the council, the Beach & Park District Board of Commissioners and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Staff presented a narrower list of recommended locational ideas the consultant is to evaluate: 3–4 softball fields relocated to Sugar Sand Park Tract A; skate park and pump track at North Park; evaluation of possible tennis conversions at Patch Reef; candidate sites for lighted sand volleyball at Meadows or North Park; and North Park as the preferred site for a competitive‑sized pool and a future field house. Stevens said staff will include preliminary parking and traffic analysis with each concept.

Board and public members urged clearer outreach and education about likely disruptions and timelines, particularly for facilities used by schools and community programs. Councilmember Trucker noted Meadows Pool is heavily used by nearby students and advocated for early public education about timing and alternatives if the pool is moved or rebuilt. Stevens said the conceptual stage is intended to create options that then will be shown to the public and advisory boards.

Next steps: due diligence and staff input meetings are underway, with conceptual plans and preliminary budgets to follow. Staff said they will present public materials in July and continue refining concepts based on board and public feedback.

","City staff and the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District presented a 98‑day conceptual planning process that would produce up to three concept plans per site for parks, fields, a possible field house, skate park and new pool; public review and board presentations are planned for mid–late July.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583528,"Council raises staffing and employee‑relations concerns after council assistant resignations",609,8395000,9004000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071291-d02c37c3fe192813ca3edf7d817b4df2&start=8395&end=9004","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071291-d02c37c3fe192813ca3edf7d817b4df2/thumbnail_8395000.jpg","/articles/6583528/Boca-Raton/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Council-raises-staffing-and-employeerelations-concerns-after-council-assistant-resignations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583528-8dbd833fe01aab6a42d38e641b65a108/orig.mp4?Expires=1770545992&Signature=PneN6fS6MPCnxIDjWMt-euwtuu~igofO1lddHPdjo28sgeV1oAWxgCMqfEYimlc7i2adD58xnGLK9GDnKzYDjf39rqx-r2pHgIR0JiK6Pb7PXEBM68TesxiauWTqrbxcq7v0L1E6~IAZoqnLKAMZDTklfSFiZ4LSnKUtAowlf2PvmbY~j3raLJnzgpAyrt3gprDVy9Hg2GOVv3scEkt4gxNXqPO5uVUhAnLcUxIFhIcI2VWNnDF6ZQiwst~n7l-HbmnYasgCcPiLiyL8879EbhJg6xX2l4bH05LpEoOt0WVbAt0hQrbl5wGgTMhCFl08YMRrvm3BjN5pG3mJnFa6Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two recent resignations among staff who supported the mayor and council prompted a Monday discussion about how council assistants are managed and how employees and residents report concerns.

Councilmember Wagner said the council’s experience with assistants has shown the arrangement “has not worked out well” and asked the city attorney and manager to explore ways the council could have clearer control of council assistant staff. “I think that needs to be fixed,” Wagner said, adding that employees should have a route to raise concerns without fear of retribution.

Several councilmembers described practical confusion after the sudden departures, including outstanding expense reports and gaps in scheduling and administrative support. Councilmember Rucker — who identified herself as a human resources professional — said the council had budgeted for two city council assistants and a chief of staff, and urged that job roles and reporting relationships be clarified when replacements are sought.

City Manager Brown said staff will review the council assistant positions, clarify expectations with councilmembers and ensure future hires understand reporting and availability responsibilities. Brown also said staff can provide interim coverage for administrative functions while the positions are evaluated and filled.

Councilmembers discussed asking the city attorney to examine whether council assistants should report to the council rather than through the city manager’s office; opinions varied among members. Several members also proposed studying an independent ombuds or complaint channel for city employees and contractors who believe they have workplace or service complaints they are uncomfortable raising internally.

No personnel actions were approved at the meeting; Brown said staff would return with proposals and clearer job descriptions to the council for direction.","Councilmembers pressed the city manager for clearer roles and reporting for council assistants after two recent resignations. Members asked staff to review job descriptions, assignment of council assistants and a potential impartial complaint or ombuds process.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583532,"Boca Raton council pauses flag redesign after mixed public reaction",119,3774000,3893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071291-d02c37c3fe192813ca3edf7d817b4df2&start=3774&end=3893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071291-d02c37c3fe192813ca3edf7d817b4df2/thumbnail_3774000.jpg","/articles/6583532/Boca-Raton/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Boca-Raton-council-pauses-flag-redesign-after-mixed-public-reaction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583532-a9b7c90ad5a24a12b6f08e34b7b695c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770545992&Signature=VZlAt7oixaOVM6bk~vBTbZr049mFlYbA4JW4OcVnv0HE2kStrOaiGawzutUoMpDn7aH4IK~FnHTts~ZDLe1wFUzYaSeAuQNehX~vO2tB2EYsbR4UBduI8rWP1tVY2J1wclaZ0189~sRVq96s1mtgYvpo-iALKPo3fFFFb8FbUzgpEBnQnB41q24Z-LLXwujF-HIMOogOPLLri1Yo94JOJrDFM63rN9L390fXOldYqsPmMeouHPPJ71sGm5Fah-VrpXsiZp~x8xqlYzBje9BIgspT25TO7Ozen~YVVTo9tZ72cjLo53-9WrTvJUTviiE3l8IjAyF-9oofg4nLwszpLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members on Monday reviewed a set of proposed city flag designs provided by an outside consultant and by the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA). After public feedback and a council discussion that reviewed the flag’s local history, the council agreed there was no immediate need to replace the current flag and indicated the matter should be tabled for further consideration.

City Attorney and other staff framed the effort as a citizen engagement exercise for the city’s centennial year; staff said NAVA provided several alternate designs at no cost. Public comments and social media responses were mixed; some residents praised the existing flag and others offered alternative designs. Mayor Scott Singer noted the exercise’s intent: “to engage the citizenry and try to instill community pride.”

Councilmember Thompson said he was not moved to adopt a new design and preferred more time to synthesize public feedback. “I’m not sure… that they are so overwhelmingly better than the existing flag, so as to justify a change,” Thompson said on the record. Several other councilmembers echoed the view that the timing and release of the designs produced confusing public reaction; Councilmember Drucker called the rollout poorly timed and said the effort became a distraction.

History presented to the council traced the current city flag back to a 1964 Chamber of Commerce design contest and later council actions. Staff noted variations in earlier flags, color changes recorded in the 1980s and that the city’s official seal and a flag image have both been used historically.

No ordinance or final action was taken. Mayor Singer said the event increased civic attention to the existing flag and encouraged residents to display current city flags while staff and council determine whether to pursue any future redesign process.

","Council members reviewed proposed flag concepts submitted by a consultant and the North American Vexillological Association but, after council and public feedback, opted not to adopt a new design now and left the existing flag in place.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583535,"Boca Raton schedules public charrette for government campus master plan; due diligence under way",101,965000,1066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071291-d02c37c3fe192813ca3edf7d817b4df2&start=965&end=1066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071291-d02c37c3fe192813ca3edf7d817b4df2/thumbnail_965000.jpg","/articles/6583535/Boca-Raton/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Boca-Raton-schedules-public-charrette-for-government-campus-master-plan-due-diligence-under-way","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583535-32e47039f6b58477e6fce16decae6125/orig.mp4?Expires=1770545992&Signature=hjkEaHVTJf5TioebJcQqTMP8oOJfZo7pV7r5T2mkVgNqpr64FJbIqnfCw9YvS7P9V7B2SOLJxK5LPsewNvU2J7fx-Q5IXF3Dxc4IqiFGIjAy8SP7S8WErzsJUsExD85D3EsLGkRCrE3yurUYxsCZPKbth9Lhbuw5ppbYMwYLdbyYjQyGxvC0iBRJq~X4lwKRyaV-1kJcBhPq9X6v6wxGintxWGUc1mS8dXn6r-rFj4i1K~Y16eohdYhXN4W1KDXRHvFxR9bPQ8QBbGeQ6cUlr~gYdXfuO2CMKZCmXzmH9fj8X35LXluTBGFMALpcRU8I5gHkNX2vW1CQRN-ZH0N~kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager’s office staff on Monday updated the council on the government campus partnership planning and announced a public charrette for April 28 to gather resident input on the campus master plan. Terrence Frisbie and staff are meeting weekly with CBRE; the city said staff and developer due diligence activity is under way, including core borings and utility locates.

Mr. Brown (city manager) told the council the public charrette will be Monday, April 28, at the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center from 6 p.m. to about 8 p.m. He said the government campus update page on the city website (myboca.us) will include meeting details and a registration link. “You need to register in order to be able to sit at 1 of the 10 tables of 10,” Brown said.

Brown said a staff review team and Terrence Frisbie will meet after the charrette to continue plan work. Council members asked for updates on developer due diligence; Brown said core borings, utility locates and civil engineers’ inspections have commenced.

Why it matters: the downtown government campus planning work could drive changes to municipal facilities, site footprints and downtown placement of some recreational amenities. Council members asked staff to bring questions that could require clarifying development assumptions to the regular council meeting, and one councilmember said remaining due diligence questions would be raised at tomorrow’s meeting.

Next steps: public charrette April 28; ongoing staff and developer due diligence; additional issue‑specific meetings as required.","City staff reported weekly meetings with CBRE and consultants, core borings and utility locates underway, and a public charrette April 28 at the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center to gather resident input on the government campus master plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Boca Raton posts $24.4 million net position gain in 2024; auditors give clean opinion

Boca Raton outlines conceptual recreation master plan, proposes relocations and new facilities

Council raises staffing and employee‑relations concerns after council assistant resignations

Boca Raton council pauses flag redesign after mixed public reaction

Boca Raton schedules public charrette for government campus master plan; due diligence under way