[{"_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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6462753,"mediaKeyId","5796888-3c6a55ef409da40b530f0a31c26e9cb1","parentId",5796888,"title","City attorney recommends resolution, not amicus brief, on State Road 7 appeal; council asks staff to draft resolution","audioSeconds",604,"startMs",1146000,"endMs",1750000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796888-3c6a55ef409da40b530f0a31c26e9cb1&start=1146&end=1750","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796888-3c6a55ef409da40b530f0a31c26e9cb1/thumbnail_1146000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462753/Palm-Beach-Gardens/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/City-attorney-recommends-resolution-not-amicus-brief-on-State-Road-7-appeal-council-asks-staff-to-draft-resolution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462753-f252949196ea03f2ab36ee299d4d614c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776512749&Signature=oMWSlb0urqsjFQfYb4j7xFg8P20jxGQ9CSqKNjoCbt1RiyxgIa78WOKPpV7EJDCrHdJ76tIS8EGOzwbAqlyPAzFjwTHJWXBiVSUq3C3891u-byuIMfWfIMyihhY1UXNoHDd1hubTmW6v7erHbN-LEER~x1b86A1Dnk~iBiaIBJnoAaWYboPAcE6~j8hc8u2rXdKJ1DmhYjeTBDCIBy1qTUmqhO20-OO13EI~o7JAgN~VuJoB0fOpjRg7Ybvz~5deiVgPjHMPEZqeljAT6zDSV7qp0l2W1bgjE~ygvqRFKr4G37P4D~k1V-qyzBKgWm~mdW8~VXB-CLmpXS3Ps~tC0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Palm Beach Gardens","date","2025-09-19T12:31:07.093Z","article","At the Sept. 18 meeting the city attorney updated the Palm Beach Gardens City Council on an appeal filed July 30 challenging permitting related to the State Road 7 extension. The attorney told council the appellate record was recently filed and that the city could seek permission to file an amicus curiae brief but recommended against it because of time, expense and a low likelihood the court would allow a friend-of-the-court brief for what the attorney characterized as legally narrow issues.

The attorney explained that West Palm Beach’s appeal raises two principal issues, including whether regulatory changes made after a permit application can be applied retroactively to require an applicant to demonstrate financial ability to complete a project. The attorney said the argument is not strong and that filing an amicus brief would likely cost between $5,000 and $15,000 and could be denied, leaving the city to bear the expense with little likelihood of influencing the court.

Chelsea, identified in the meeting as a Transportation Planning Agency (TPA) representative who noted the organization had voted to revert to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) naming convention, reviewed past votes: she said the TPA/MPO and a long list of municipalities and agencies have repeatedly voted in favor of State Road 7 in prior years and that West Palm Beach was typically the only dissenting vote. Based on the TPA/MPO history and discussions with FDOT staff, Chelsea said the current appeal was not expected to prevail.

City Attorney recommendations and council discussion produced a consensus to pursue the lower-cost option: the attorney recommended drafting a resolution in support of FDOT and the South Florida Water Management District instead of pursuing legal filing as an amicus. Council members instructed staff to draft and circulate such a resolution.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - September 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After an update on an appeal challenging State Road 7 permitting, the Palm Beach Gardens city attorney advised against filing an amicus brief because of cost and low likelihood of acceptance, and recommended a resolution in support of FDOT and the South Florida Water Management District; council directed staff to prepare such a resolution.","taxTitle","Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",4129,"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},6462757,"Palm Beach Gardens ratifies three-year police contract covering officers, sergeants and communications staff",615,415000,1030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796888-3c6a55ef409da40b530f0a31c26e9cb1&start=415&end=1030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796888-3c6a55ef409da40b530f0a31c26e9cb1/thumbnail_415000.jpg","/articles/6462757/Palm-Beach-Gardens/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Palm-Beach-Gardens-ratifies-three-year-police-contract-covering-officers-sergeants-and-communications-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462757-aa157d28615e89877acc20037e3efb80/orig.mp4?Expires=1776512749&Signature=UvwKL42ajg5ekf3E20AZh0FSCZxUpi6SAKxlIbrSV26nXRYfUxqPXYQfpR1YPFc76i514IU8RlNZO5wJZUwluHrnkUxotYAGrz6BKm2psDF6CKVBpapCNmo-dVVMmKtc6Qd8109q2PPgIyqs-QCvVJJYRIaJ-bWGu7LWZESN5jUzpeBgqK0ehIVBxwSayWQtMRiowR1daynn2cOftnW9xxK4FxEWY5-FdbbRho4i0KPcCgGKXp7tB64B4xXuBp5rVf~KT25FGNXsUkZgGcHspkNCGG0LuV-JIm6omUZL7h4NtMmxRHToLy2BR7bzdsITYhrbgHuZT8XLZDa9UM~02Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Palm Beach Gardens City Council on Sept. 18 approved Resolution 74-2025, ratifying a three-year contract with the Police Benevolent Association that covers police officers, sergeants and communications operators for fiscal years 2026 through 2028. The measure passed 5-0.

Cheryl Stewart, the city’s human resources administrator, summarized the contract negotiations and the agreement’s principal elements. Negotiations began in June and a tentative three-year agreement was reached on Aug. 14; the union ratified the contract on Aug. 28. Stewart told the council the salary adjustments are market-based and are intended to keep the city competitive in a tight local recruiting market.

Stewart described specific assignment pays and staffing counts included in the agreement: a 2.5% assignment pay for motorcycle riders in traffic (four officers currently in that classification), a 5% assignment pay for a K-9 unit trainer (one trainer; five K-9 unit positions), and a new 5% assignment pay for CNT (cited to align with SWAT medic pay; Stewart said there are eight CNT members). Stewart said the salary plan combines a market-rate realignment and cost-of-living adjustments; the presentation noted that over the three-year agreement officers would receive an approximate total increase of 30% and sergeants about 31%. Stewart said the total cost of the salary adjustments over three years is approximately $7,250,000, roughly $2.4 million per year, and that those costs have been included in the budget.

A member of the police department, identified in the record as Sergeant Hayashi, addressed the council during public comment to express gratitude for the agreement and to thank the council and staff for their work on the contract.

Multiple council members voiced support for the agreement during discussion, citing recruitment and retention pressures and the value of maintaining health standards for officers. Council members asked about the union ratification vote; Stewart said, “It’s my understanding that there was 118 that voted and 115 were in favor,” which she provided as the union ratification tally.

The council approved Resolution 74-2025 unanimously. The resolution approves and ratifies the contract and authorizes the mayor and city manager to execute the agreement.","The City Council unanimously approved Resolution 74-2025 to ratify a three-year agreement with the Police Benevolent Association covering fiscal years 2026–2028. The contract includes market-based salary adjustments, new assignment pays and an estimated cost of about $7.25 million over three years.",{"_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},6462762,"Palm Beach Gardens sets final millage at 5.0537 mills and adopts FY2026 budget",294,109000,403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796888-3c6a55ef409da40b530f0a31c26e9cb1&start=109&end=403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796888-3c6a55ef409da40b530f0a31c26e9cb1/thumbnail_109000.jpg","/articles/6462762/Palm-Beach-Gardens/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Palm-Beach-Gardens-sets-final-millage-at-50537-mills-and-adopts-FY2026-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462762-71461864e5c406a262664e292591d9f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776512749&Signature=LyRUSEKVj~yrZGR72rT2VE7RbFe4-U87H5vS7bYOfVwZfzRQ88KDzx1ujW9jfrKNNP10KFlPk8koiTlEcMknHj5tDpSPpDKBM-iVkyfcsQHbAY31gfAO9C88HuK7gW8fL~0iSZvTLF7dfmAtu1R7YbYhxUuOXIpJnSkGYoEzn9IFKGIh0sq2niZwQwcAbQ-r5vQbkDFdpakB3GNYdz3Yf6V6IcKQNJcTDO7IcPuPj-a-CkbEEqxgohdM-~kQlu5NzlPpS80eVmwMv3ZzD-bulqk8BL2dOzgnS6fGlK9RVt-f6Ys7-ylMox4ThMucui3itJp76gX86tB0EiXvxBghsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council of Palm Beach Gardens on Sept. 18 approved a final operating and total millage rate of 5.0537 mills and adopted the city budget for fiscal year 2026, voting 5-0 on both measures.

Ariane Panzak, the city’s finance administrator, told the council the vote at the second and final budget hearing would set the millage at 5.0537 mills, which staff said is 6.64% higher than the rollback rate of 4.7391 mills. Panzak presented the required TRIM (Truth in Millage) disclosures and said there were no changes since the first budget hearing.

The council approved Resolution 54-2025, which sets the millage rate and directs the city clerk to forward a certified copy to the Palm Beach County property appraiser and tax collector, and Ordinance 11-2025 on second and final reading, which adopts the budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025 and ending Sept. 30, 2026. Both votes were recorded as 5-0.

Council members did not request changes during the hearing. Panzak confirmed the recommended millage and the budget reflected figures previously presented; no public speakers submitted comment cards on the items.

Under state TRIM guidelines, the city publicly stated the municipality name, the final millage rate, the rollback rate and the percentage change before voting. The clerk read the resolution and ordinance titles into the record before the motions and votes.

The resolution requires the clerk to transmit the certified resolution to the county property appraiser and tax collector within three days of adoption, as stated in the document read at the hearing.","At a Sept. 18 council meeting the Palm Beach Gardens City Council adopted a final millage rate of 5.0537 mills — 6.64% above the rollback rate — and approved the fiscal year 2026 budget on final reading. Both measures passed 5-0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City attorney recommends resolution, not amicus brief, on State Road 7 appeal; council asks staff to draft resolution

Palm Beach Gardens ratifies three-year police contract covering officers, sergeants and communications staff

Palm Beach Gardens sets final millage at 5.0537 mills and adopts FY2026 budget