[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,76,87],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6181317,"mediaKeyId","5113354-94b63805a4f0968e22ae47257b823e2b","parentId",5113354,"title","Council sets preliminary fiscal limits, approves trash rate and water‑control assessment ceiling; multiple votes leave room to adjust","audioSeconds",1304,"startMs",13106000,"endMs",14410000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113354-94b63805a4f0968e22ae47257b823e2b&start=13106&end=14410","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113354-94b63805a4f0968e22ae47257b823e2b/thumbnail_13106000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6181317/Florida/Council-sets-preliminary-fiscal-limits-approves-trash-rate-and-watercontrol-assessment-ceiling-multiple-votes-leave-room-to-adjust","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181317-611c05e56795fa4bd68590f0fecdb734/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139752&Signature=XbR6SmaoTnaoOzQPiPT~0JdsatupZv~XDMRt3HprUkbTFK7QyzeOAd~xvBys-4BnLhZDsKk88wvLwEBFF~ypDkqPk5qfbUdSVf7ZsDlZb5veRUbYR2cYw-oO8u8GUelVSahCx4k1sfzTzdquORG6x-nmDOlpFhaymntrMm8EaRWZ6hyypJYdFlYKJ9I0y1HGUA8ebA7FVqzJ2DmAnk4-IGF1xRVowhIlFY0W5JfO-aaQLU4L3QZSfZpCCBcLksqo3mqmTEMAkXrVfEp2CHwXKGuGGURqk-bCjL~w8V81wp8ru2109szzbh1OFfHoNE0EvmDx~0sra2YfaZrVU5hapA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Loxahatchee Groves, FL","date","2025-07-02T03:11:10Z","article","Loxahatchee Groves’ Town Council on July 1 took preliminary votes on tax and assessment items as part of the trim/levy process and approved the regular solid‑waste fee. The council also took up a number of routine appointments.

Lede: Council members set ceiling figures that will allow the town flexibility as staff finishes the FY26 budget: a preliminary millage ceiling of 3.5 mills (so council could set any final rate at or below that number), solid‑waste fees remain at $450 per unit, and the town’s water‑control district (WCD) authorized a maximum assessment level of $300 per acre for planning and notification purposes.

Nut graf: These preliminary choices are not final tax rates; they establish the maximums the council may adopt later in the budget process. Council members debated whether to hold the millage at a lower level and how much of any revenue shortfall should be borne by a town‑wide increase in the WCD acreage assessment versus a millage increase. Public commenters and council members emphasized protection of residents on fixed incomes while also noting long‑term capital and maintenance needs.

Key votes and items (Votes at a glance)

- Preliminary operating millage (Resolution 2025‑56): council approved a preliminary ceiling of 3.5 mills (final millage will be set at the public budget hearing); motion to set 3.5 passed 3–2.
- Solid‑waste / trash service rate: council approved a $450 per unit annual rate for residential trash service (no change from previous year); vote was unanimous, 5–0.
- Water Control District assessment ceiling (Resolution 2025DD07): council approved setting the assessment ceiling at $300 per acre for notification/trim planning purposes; vote passed 3–2.
- Appointments: the council appointed Danielle Herrity to the Unified Land Development Code review committee (Resolution 2025‑53) and nominated Councilmember Todd McClendon as the town’s voting delegate to the Florida League of Cities (Resolution 2025‑49); both passed 5–0.

What council members said

Several council members urged caution about raising taxes during a period of economic stress for some residents and asked staff and the town’s Fiscal Advisory Committee (FACC) to pursue disciplined cost reductions and clearer budget options. Other council members and staff argued the town must maintain road and drainage services and that structural funding shortfalls cannot be solved without either higher millage or higher assessments.

Staff and committee follow‑ups requested

Council asked staff and the FACC to: (1) provide budget scenarios that show the impacts of the chosen millage and assessment alternatives (for example, budgets at 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 mills); (2) identify targeted cost‑savings options prior to final budget adoption; and (3) bring any further changes to the capital improvement program back for council approval (staff had proposed several reallocations of existing capital funds for drainage and road work; those reallocations will return to council as formal budget amendments if the council directs).

Ending

Council members closed debate by noting the preliminary actions preserve flexibility; final rates and assessments will be adopted at the statutory public‑hearing process later in the summer after staff provides the requested budget scenarios and FACC recommendations.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7/1/2025 Town Council Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmen set preliminary tax and assessment ceilings and left options open for final adoption: preliminary millage ceiling set at 3.5 mills, solid‑waste rate kept at $450 per unit, and the Water Control District assessment ceiling set at $300 per acre.","taxTitle","Town of Loxahatchee Groves, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",75779,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6181321,"Town attorney announces resignation; council approves budget amendment and directs ad for replacement, extends current counsel 60 days",0,12999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113354-94b63805a4f0968e22ae47257b823e2b&start=12999&end=12999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113354-94b63805a4f0968e22ae47257b823e2b/thumbnail_12999000.jpg","/articles/6181321/Florida/Town-attorney-announces-resignation-council-approves-budget-amendment-and-directs-ad-for-replacement-extends-current-counsel-60-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181321-714ed392f3cb524ae2d8a16080b992b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139752&Signature=ek4CZh-fIjeBAnmsdvMYyulCkDFdzhxCcReyyaXC26BRFBgME9mwZZJwA31DbrBOEFuX5xyCtx1RdmrZzYjOGoQIzhaoCidZB8~BpO7Tt4ygLQy~38WeiFWJTtnuYeZ~e9-0t3c8M99TON2aIuzABcImxC8FR4W5Hh71dfKNmcsn260KGcC-4DIFFVsFszIH-fo2VVcbDVsCCYPMOtVGCVZ4DAsXnCbUjp1qOA5~5v~vCNqX6A71YvBp4PMTI8wbkw5C4GF72g1i5wdNkBphsB5wSyHJFVs~2edoXtB9HRLScFnO7mgI8RJetFiYhLOhzSHxtlEIrO8R0XC0AgpUAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Attorney Glenn Torsivia told the council on July 1 that he had given notice of his resignation and that his current contract would expire imminently, prompting council debate over whether to hire in‑house counsel or retain outside counsel.

The council voted to increase the legal services budget for the remainder of the fiscal year, approved staff authority to advertise for replacement legal services, and unanimously extended the outgoing firm’s contract for 60 days to ensure continuity while applicants are solicited.

Nut graf: The council’s action combined an immediate budget fix — to pay outstanding invoices and to cover legal services while a hiring decision is made — with direction to staff to solicit candidates and firms. Council members debated cost, the pros and cons of an in‑house model and the length and terms of any employment agreement before voting.

Key points and votes

Resignation and immediate timeline: Torsivia said he had provided notice and that his contract technically would expire the next day. He asked the council to consider a short extension for continuity. Torsivia also warned that a short interim arrangement is a “recipe for disaster” and said one reason he sought a multiyear term for an in‑house attorney was to provide stability if the town pursued that model.

Budget amendment: The council approved Resolution 2025‑50 (budget amendment) to allocate roughly $231,000 to cover current and projected legal expenditures through the end of the fiscal year, including unpaid bills and an in‑house transition option. The amendment also acknowledged outstanding legal fees above the existing budget.

Advertisement and hiring approach: After discussion the council voted to direct staff to advertise for town legal services—allowing responses from either an individual (in‑house candidate) or law firms — and to return with any qualified proposals. Council members emphasized that advertising should be broad enough to compare in‑house and outside‑firm options and that the county League of Cities and legal trade postings would be used.

Interim coverage: Torsivia agreed to remain available during a transition but said he would prefer a defined multi‑year contract rather than a short interim; the council voted to extend his contract for 60 days to provide coverage while the solicitation runs.

Council debate and fiscal numbers discussed

Council members debated whether an in‑house model would save money and whether the town should immediately create additional full‑time positions tied to an in‑house approach. Glenn and other staff offered estimates: the in‑house staffing and paralegal model was presented with an annualized cost estimate in the low‑to‑mid $300,000s after possible cost‑recovery offsets (staff presented a range and said estimated net costs would likely be roughly $330,000–$360,000 depending on recoveries and outside litigation needs). The budget amendment presented numbers for near‑term needs (roughly $231,000), unpaid bills (about $110,000), and an estimated carry‑forward cost if the town adopts an in‑house model (a roughly $97,000 remainder for the fiscal year under a particular staffing scenario).

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025‑50 (budget amendment to cover legal and related staffing changes): passed 4–1 (motion and tally recorded at the meeting).
- Direction to advertise for legal services (individual or firm): passed 4–1.
- Extension of outgoing counsel’s contract for 60 days: passed unanimously, 5–0.

Next steps

Staff will prepare the advertising materials (League of Cities and legal trade outlets were discussed), accept letters of interest and proposals, and return to the council with candidates and firms for interview and selection. The council directed staff to present a timeline and to arrange a special meeting if needed to consider offers; the outgoing counsel will maintain coverage while the search proceeds.

Ending

Council members stressed the need for due diligence in the solicitation and asked staff to expedite postings. Several members said they preferred an open process that would allow both in‑house candidates and outside firms to apply; others said a direct hire of a qualified candidate already working with the town would preserve institutional knowledge. The 60‑day extension was intended to preserve services during that evaluation.

","Town Attorney Glenn Torsivia gave notice of his resignation and the council approved a budget amendment to cover outstanding legal invoices and to allow for an in‑house counsel model; the council voted to advertise for a replacement (individual or firm) and extended the outgoing contract for 60 days to cover the transition.",{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6181326,"County, FDOT and CSX detail 8‑day full closure at Northlake/Beeline; town urges three weeks' notice and emergency access plan",815,1730000,2545000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113354-94b63805a4f0968e22ae47257b823e2b&start=1730&end=2545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113354-94b63805a4f0968e22ae47257b823e2b/thumbnail_1730000.jpg","/articles/6181326/Florida/County-FDOT-and-CSX-detail-8day-full-closure-at-NorthlakeBeeline-town-urges-three-weeks-notice-and-emergency-access-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181326-fd8c0fcae664dc02192f6bb54fa658a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139752&Signature=fzYKLjXReKFaC2FuZn4yWNikW6D~hKd4kFSUWsQErcS5Qr7UgEiBRCxmD4iljqcVcXx0y-mdUM3-W0~N9jAhMUwAszs-sFm612lmfUTyIhfEfdNddS5k6oaY4v~yaabKxR7dbLJiLMNvsRTaO9mUM1TxSyq3Sy-lJ66XwnfZwt0eXOW48LZGGUI2t3Gtslyr2fCNo~x8-zWDRMiqJKdTwFpCeZYRjryzgcJMOEaKK1cTJ5yZHb7fYlu-zqeQqtEb~vh2Zb93sLyMGh3dtvimmooPcb8EhBaUTfLTP~k8OwK3EzSBji2hQvdJTl~a7ghSPlxPTvfEssPjkxquJIxfLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mary McNicholas, the town’s government‑relations representative, told the Town Council on July 1 that the town has been coordinating with county, state and CSX officials after learning the railroad crossing work would require a full closure.

County and FDOT project staff said the closure will remove the crossing and rebuild it, that CSX is targeting an eight‑day window, and that officials expect to provide at least three weeks' public notice before the closure.

That notice matter: “We will have at least 3 weeks notice,” McNicholas said. She and other town staff described the town’s written maintenance‑of‑traffic plan and said the goal is to protect residents’ north‑south access through the community during the closure.

Why it matters: the crossing at Northlake Boulevard and Beeline Highway sits on a widening project FDOT is already building. FDOT and CSX said they must remove the rail panels, replace the track bed and ballast and then rebuild the vehicular panels — work CSX says will take a continuous, day‑and‑night effort for about eight days.

What officials told the council

Mel Pollock, senior project engineer with the Accordena Group, said FDOT’s Beeline Highway project will widen the facility to six lanes and replace the Turnpike bridge approaches; CSX approached FDOT after the roadway work to coordinate a full crossing replacement. “This will be a full closure of East and West North Lake. CSX is pretty adamant that this will be an eight‑day closure,” Pollock said.

Pollock and Palm Beach County engineer David Ricks said the team has worked through temporary signal changes, removal of an overhead signal truss so traffic shifts can occur, and a plan to keep one ramp available for emergency vehicles under law‑enforcement control. Pollock said CSX has agreed that the ramp from southeast Beeline to westbound Northlake will be maintained for emergency use 24/7 under PBSO direction during the closure.

Ricks described the traffic monitoring and response approach county staff will use: signal modems on key intersections so timing can be adjusted remotely, “flicker” devices deputies can deploy, drones for real‑time surveillance, and cameras on key signals. He said Palm Beach County plans mailers to affected ZIP codes after the closure date is set and that Palm Beach County traffic operations will install and monitor portable message signs and adjust signal timing on detour corridors.

Public safety and emergency access

Lieutenant Darla Sowers, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, said PBSO will assign patrol, motor units and community officers to traffic duties and will use drones and on‑the‑ground ‘flicker’ control to create gaps when needed. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Chief Amanda Vamero said the agency is “resource rich” and can surge staffing or use air assets if needed. “If we need to utilize the TraumaHawk to land and get a critical patient out faster because of traffic, we have that ability,” Vamero said.

Communications and timing

County staff told the council that the county and FDOT will push information through a project website and social media, place 35–40 portable changeable message signs at key intersections, and run paid social and billboard messaging once a firm CSX start date is announced. John Carter, chief of staff to Vice Mayor Sarah Baxter (representing the vice mayor’s office), said the county will use Every Door Direct Mail; staff described an outreach plan covering roughly 50,000 deliveries across likely affected ZIP codes once CSX confirms the date.

Detours and traveler guidance

Planners said two primary detour corridors have been identified for the full closure; county traffic staff will prioritize the primary detour corridors (including Okeechobee and Southern corridor routings) and adjust signals to increase throughput. Staff warned that while detours will move the majority of through traffic, local drivers accustomed to shortcuts will pressure local roads and that PBSO will prioritize preventing unsafe shoulder‑driving and shortcutting.

Next steps

Officials said CSX is to provide the town its next scheduling update by July 3. Pollock said the team was targeting the “fourth Friday in July” as the possible start for the closure but that CSX has not given a firm date; council and staff emphasized they would not start public outreach until the county and CSX set a date and the town receives the promised three weeks' notice.

Community impact and caveats

Town staff and safety officials repeatedly stressed that the town does not control whether CSX executes the work but is coordinating to preserve emergency access and to limit traffic impacts. Officials acknowledged the closure will create delays and asked residents to “pack your patience,” as Lieutenant Sowers put it.

Ending

Council members directed staff to continue daily coordination with FDOT, Palm Beach County, CSX and safety agencies, to finalize the town’s communications products once the three‑week window begins, and to prioritize maintaining continuous emergency access under law‑enforcement control during the closure.

","County and FDOT engineers, CSX representatives and local safety agencies told the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council on July 1 that CSX will require a full closure of the Northlake/Beeline crossing for a rail replacement expected to last eight days, and described traffic detours, emergency-access arrangements and communications plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council sets preliminary fiscal limits, approves trash rate and water‑control assessment ceiling; multiple votes leave room to adjust

Town attorney announces resignation; council approves budget amendment and directs ad for replacement, extends current counsel 60 days

County, FDOT and CSX detail 8‑day full closure at Northlake/Beeline; town urges three weeks' notice and emergency access plan