[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6477257,"mediaKeyId","5711892-84acb55e136b29dc840a000e66dbf0cb","parentId",5711892,"title","Council approves rollover of READ program funds, agrees to SAT/ACT boot camp and scholarship extension","audioSeconds",235,"startMs",8776000,"endMs",9011000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711892-84acb55e136b29dc840a000e66dbf0cb&start=8776&end=9011","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711892-84acb55e136b29dc840a000e66dbf0cb/thumbnail_8776000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477257/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Council-approves-rollover-of-READ-program-funds-agrees-to-SATACT-boot-camp-and-scholarship-extension","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477257-9b7826deed9eb037907dd942f74f2ee1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143565&Signature=JYt90wa8jCRgABGzp4ewr8T64Dmb7rhPGyJVSQVI2JRM~gAu23QVPRwO~BEdqQIlvXZlq~g3zHdEkrMkLKItCpQsSPj4wjmh-N1~F3dtzxUKG3sMoexGLWz0E342Y3JUZPlqAeSxtxWUa75HcgzROlhTE1C~hzjn5-00s81koCnvsAoHvtM9M6pcc1P6atWng8AUCb9069nMe-nP6A5HMaFr45rXfpfNUtCqpNv4snhKB5DgE6Eki0gD2Kw4KcbUpBfkNulEGYMutzjSVlAyGw5yP00KmtWl38yDdepjGUpf8oHJbLT2TU00CUxxPzpogwDdleABFjbQmjGNkKYR5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Riviera Beach","date","2025-09-04T01:32:04.547Z","article","The Riviera Beach City Council on Sept. 3 approved several actions recommended by the Education Advisory Board to preserve and expand student supports funded from the city's READ program.

Education advisory board members asked the council to encumber approximately $164,000 in unspent READ funds so the money can be carried forward into FY2025-26. Staff also asked the council to approve using about $20,000 of that amount to run an SAT/ACT boot camp. In addition, the board requested that the scholarship application period be extended by 60 days and that the scholarship program be expanded to allow $2,000 grants for graduate students from Riviera Beach.

City staff said approximately $90,000 had already been expended and that $14,000 remained in the scholarship line; the Education Advisory Board would use remaining READ funds and the encumbrance to meet anticipated demand if applications increase. The board reported only seven scholarship applications had been received to date and asked for a 60-day extension of the application deadline.

Councilmembers supported the proposal and asked staff to return with a plan for timely distribution. The motion to roll forward unspent READ funds, allocate $20,000 for an SAT/ACT boot camp, extend the scholarship period by 60 days and expand scholarship eligibility for graduate students passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Ending: Council directed staff and the communications department to expedite outreach so the funds can be used quickly for the boot camp and to support a larger scholarship pool in the coming academic year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting September 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Following a report from the Education Advisory Board, the council authorized rolling unspent READ program funds into the next fiscal year, approved using $20,000 for an SAT/ACT boot camp, extended the scholarship application period by 60 days and directed staff to add graduate-student scholarships.","taxTitle","Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",68132,"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},6477262,"Riviera Beach council moves to hire independent contracted auditor to report to council",46,10109000,10155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711892-84acb55e136b29dc840a000e66dbf0cb&start=10109&end=10155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711892-84acb55e136b29dc840a000e66dbf0cb/thumbnail_10109000.jpg","/articles/6477262/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Riviera-Beach-council-moves-to-hire-independent-contracted-auditor-to-report-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477262-eac3e537dee95c608154ab5303fcd8c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143565&Signature=YUH9fgF20uddRzoLo42ONR72enASP9m02qK5-aHID4zfxgCa92KlNjdHc-qKC93YtlQiyGjJ6pIsn9Wbv5dNRI41evaUt8gyrQbFj3z6iWRymtKxh5u0CcdwM5zM~39bitGIzPTPqvhLFgzh~pq4ZoGnDcjHbswU2Xp~~1sdj6uU2E09KQ8OnF-VNQ7p47CvXmU-WzGZ0ROCdaQXcL1M4fgcoMBsfT6juxl1zqlMdXAwcTfnx1axjOXQsN2ha6ydjPWrr8ZChSpeZbh7uVlJKoP-ClPGLUfe6HJGSjL3cWQbUX6pjJN9S3Lc1caNtvlPYSRAU0a0-bSjiWwStgneBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riviera Beach City Council on Sept. 3 voted to move forward with hiring an independent, contracted auditor who will report directly to the council. The measure passed by roll call with unanimous support.

The action followed repeated calls from residents and members of the city's audit committee for independent oversight. Scott Lewis, an audit-committee member and resident, urged the council to move immediately to procure a contractor and said the city needs independent review of high-dollar projects and operations. \"You have got to have an independent internal auditor who is free to audit without constraint,\" Lewis told the council.

City Attorney Don Wynn provided written guidance earlier in the meeting and told the council that, based on state law, the city charter and city code, the council may contract with an independent auditor who reports directly to the council. City Manager Jonathan Evans and staff recommended the audit committee and procurement staff work together to develop a scope of services and a solicitation. Evans told the council he prefers that the scope development and procurement be handled separately from the manager's own internal-auditor position so the council's contractor remains independent.

Councilperson Bruce Guyton moved the item \"to move forward on hiring an independent contractual auditor to report directly to the council,\" with the scope to be developed at a future meeting; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote.

Ending: The council directed the audit committee and procurement staff to draft a scope and procurement documents for council review; the council did not yet approve a specific contract or vendor and will consider the detailed scope at a future meeting.","After public urging from the audit committee, the council voted to move forward with hiring an independent, contracted auditor who will report directly to the city council; the council directed staff and the audit committee to develop a scope of services for a future procurement.",{"_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},6477267,"Riviera Beach council sets millage at 8.35 mills, advances city budget and five-year CIP on first reading",1133,2827000,3960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711892-84acb55e136b29dc840a000e66dbf0cb&start=2827&end=3960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711892-84acb55e136b29dc840a000e66dbf0cb/thumbnail_2827000.jpg","/articles/6477267/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Riviera-Beach-council-sets-millage-at-835-mills-advances-city-budget-and-five-year-CIP-on-first-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477267-0ab43678ac1f72a6d8acd5809a0ebc68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143565&Signature=PxjPayxY-1ip-Ojabe7I2AgfWIC4dELiJGLw4Wuy5HldIUm1MsRNA6kDdQpWP7ikgIPrSOtVDitCqccdiwCNR1QSPbjZ7zF0bcLlPiPfwUeQPbBFXRHLSojTr7O9s5c1PxtUDQVWlwYvtP7Jr-j5828WM06paATNcjyszAUo9GeZDWq3585czykwBTDgKcztk0cAWv~5jMnwRvd2FWU1LS1xpHdQM7jRQxb39~65evH7o2~L6211mfno77v92HnQBaYezl0VOIUFaIK6XbQEber4vP5O-FGzcdO3fE791cnYjSOI9JExLa0dhKQ00xKDwXeGgQqcgy4zxw2SZFuuUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riviera Beach City Council on Sept. 3 approved on first reading a package of fiscal measures that together shape next year's spending and capital program. The council: (1) set the millage rate at 8.35 mills for fiscal year 2025-26 (ordinance 42-86), (2) advanced the operating and enterprise budgets for FY2025-26 (ordinance 42-87) on first reading, and (3) adopted an updated five-year capital improvements plan (ordinance 42-88).

City Manager Jonathan Evans and Chief Financial Officer Randy Sherman presented the budget documents accompanied by detailed slides. Sherman said the published millage of 8.35 mills is 6.53% higher than the rollback rate of 7.8381 because assessed property values rose; \"it is not that the rate went up, but it is the property value,\" Sherman said. The staff recommended approval of the 8.35 mills rate.

On the operating side, Sherman presented a $214 million total budget across all funds and explained major highlights: nine new firefighter positions added under the International Firefighters & Paramedics contract; salary increases for bargaining units (SEIU, PMSA and IFF) and a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for non-represented employees; an increase in the community events line to $500,000; a $4.25 million transfer to capital projects; and a $9.4 million transfer to the CRA.

\"We did add nine new firefighter positions, in accordance with the IFF contract,\" Sherman said. He also noted higher insurance costs and funding for dune restoration consistent with the county contract. The budget creates a new communications and marketing department with five positions, moves a webmaster post from IT and budgets $100,000 for professional/contract services.

Council debate focused on special-events funding and how the city will use the new $500,000 line to support recurring signature events and sponsorships. Councilperson Bruce Guyton asked whether the city had cost estimates from promoters; staff said the allocation was conservative and that staff would return with an event calendar, sponsorship policy and additional detail before final adoption. \"We are gonna standardize a lot of that so there's consistency and uniformity,\" Evans said of marketing and sponsorships.

On enterprise issues, the Utility District budget reflects rate increases tied to construction of the new water treatment plant; Sherman noted the USD five-year program and the plant cost estimate included in the CIP. The marina operating budget increases to account for potential mooring fields; Sherman said the budget conservatively assumes about six months of mooring revenue pending lease approvals and permitting.

Council members also pressed staff about employee pay and recommended the city produce a brief scenario analysis showing the budgetary impact of a 4%, 5% or 6% COLA for employees; Sherman said each additional percentage point above the proposed 3% was roughly a $100,000 change to the fiscal picture and that staff would run precise numbers.

The council voted, by roll call, to approve the ordinances on first reading; votes were recorded as unanimous for the items presented on Sept. 3. Final adoption and second readings are scheduled at the statutory public hearing dates later in September.

Ending: Staff said it will return with more detail on the event plan, sponsorship policy, stormwater options and any requested budget adjustments before the second readings and final adoption.","On first reading the council set a millage rate of 8.35 mills (6.53% above the rollback) and advanced the proposed FY2025-26 budget and the city's five-year capital improvements plan; council discussion focused on firefighter staffing, special-events funding and the new communications department.",{"_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},6477270,"Riviera Beach council advances Art in Public Places ordinance on first reading",336,2420000,2756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711892-84acb55e136b29dc840a000e66dbf0cb&start=2420&end=2756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711892-84acb55e136b29dc840a000e66dbf0cb/thumbnail_2420000.jpg","/articles/6477270/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Riviera-Beach-council-advances-Art-in-Public-Places-ordinance-on-first-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477270-4c2060f005aec28958c671bbc795b7ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143565&Signature=TPAZYfZJS~iRP56RuLSCjQl11oCt0Pwd3uwbeQ1HMAFjUYLnXQxC3P4A4I5844Z2ynX0Tdfyi3KUd~wiaEU0wFcq79MMTPWhVN2DjjniCjr425WvpAfzJu7rv2eAx8XDvVu0ITCZIdK~Lgr8l3tJ3zXvdOG20Pfb93pwluEFLBQ3TTI6NI1uo7u8-W1CimpYgL762QoTk9BnGv4CXa8dd-Pq0o5vqO5PdaHDKJ4G84wofaFZa1HdFb9dYEW1HPelESCaIGSI5m04cx~G9CS-s1bkbnQ29kcG0Ximt7~tP1q6qq7sMmlQ7DyFQL9uXB4HlMp-jMhXBZ0qO~AxgiVGow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riviera Beach City Council on Sept. 3 approved on first reading ordinance 42-83, which amends Chapter 32 of the city code to adopt the city's Public Art Master Plan by reference and revise program definitions, board duties and participation rules.

City staff presented the ordinance as a housekeeping and implementation package for the master plan. Clarence Sermons, the city's director of development services, asked the council to adopt the changes so the previously prepared master plan can be applied \"as well as make several text amendments to that chapter to make it align with the plan and adjust any processes and definitions.\" Principal planner Simon described the substantive changes to definitions and the addition of policies and procedures to guide day-to-day use of the master plan.

The ordinance replaces the term \"tangible\" with \"original creations,\" adds specific definitions for \"local artist,\" \"maintenance with respect to artwork,\" \"mural,\" \"public art collection,\" \"temporary artwork\" and clarifies \"project\" and \"unit\" in the residential development context. It also adds a new section adopting the master plan by reference and provides policies and procedures for using the plan. Staff said the amendments also clarify how phased developments participate and align the public art budget language with construction cost definitions to reduce burdens on developers.

Councilmembers expressed support for the program as a community beautification and economic-development tool. \"This is really about reimagining Riviera Beach,\" Councilperson Miller Anderson said, thanking staff for staying \"the course\" on the project. The council called the ordinance \"a beautiful\" step toward partnering with developers without relying solely on taxpayer dollars.

Acting City Clerk Deborah Hall conducted a roll call; the motion for first reading passed unanimously.

The ordinance returns to the council for final reading at the next required public hearing date.

Ending: The city manager said staff recommends approval and will return the ordinance on its required public-reading schedule. The council provided unanimous support on first reading, leaving the measure poised for final adoption after the statutorily required notice period.","Councilmembers voted unanimously on first reading to amend Chapter 32 to adopt a public arts master plan by reference and update definitions, duties, and participation rules for the city's Art in Public Places program (ordinance 42-83).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves rollover of READ program funds, agrees to SAT/ACT boot camp and scholarship extension

Riviera Beach council moves to hire independent contracted auditor to report to council

Riviera Beach council sets millage at 8.35 mills, advances city budget and five-year CIP on first reading

Riviera Beach council advances Art in Public Places ordinance on first reading