Delray Beach city manager outlines water-plant, parks and public-safety priorities

Delray Beach City Manager Terrence Moore said the city is focusing on several large infrastructure projects, including construction of a new water treatment plant and renovation of the municipal golf course, and that funding approved by voters in a March 2023 general obligation bond will finance parks improvements and public-safety enhancements.

In a Village Fives podcast interview with host Gina Carter, Moore said, “We are extremely busy in the city of Delray Beach right now,” and described the bond as giving the city resources to implement projects he called “long overdue.”

The bond. Moore said residents “overwhelmingly approved the general obligation bond” in March 2023; he identified that bond as the source of funding for numerous parks upgrades and public-safety work. He also said Delray Beach is preparing to replace one of the state’s older municipal water-treatment facilities, calling the existing plant “one of the oldest municipal facilities for water treatment purposes in the state of Florida.”

Why it matters. City officials and residents face construction, permitting and long-term operating decisions for major capital projects that can affect rates, service reliability and park access. Moore said implementing the projects “does necessitate stability in the office of the city manager,” adding that he aims to lead the implementation through completion.

Leadership and approach. Moore described his management style as team-oriented and said he encourages “free flow discussion” among department directors and managers so staff across functions can contribute expertise. “Rarely do I exercise a top down approach,” he said. He told the podcast he is both the city manager and a Delray Beach resident and homeowner and seeks to remain engaged “to connect with all concerned and to make myself available.”

Background and capacity. In the interview Moore reviewed his municipal career across multiple states and cited prior experience delivering major public facilities, including new city halls and arena projects in other cities, as relevant to Delray Beach’s current workload. He said those experiences inform his oversight of revenue structures, procurement approaches and construction delivery methods needed for large projects.

What was not decided. The interview was a policy and background discussion and did not record any formal council actions, votes or specific contract awards. Moore did not provide timelines, detailed budgets or contractor names for the water-plant or golf-course projects during the interview; those details remain to be set through the city’s project planning and procurement processes.

Moore said he hopes elected officials, residents and stakeholders “appreciate that sincere and genuine approach” and indicated he intends to continue in the role to help deliver the city’s current capital program.