The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners voted to transition the county’s reentry task force from a commission‑managed body to a community‑led collaborative board, citing a desire to expand membership and allow operational partners to collaborate more freely.

Staff described the task force’s history and mission, noting it was created by a 2017 resolution to coordinate reentry services, reduce recidivism and sustain wraparound supports. Presenters and longtime practitioners said sunshine‑law constraints limited operational conversations among providers and community partners, and that moving to a community‑led model would allow a larger membership (their goal was described as growing from 13 to as many as 25) and more grassroots engagement. Public defenders and chairs who have worked in reentry explained the community partners’ role in day‑to‑day operations and supported the structural change while pledging continued transparency and board reports.

Some public commenters urged continued oversight, citing public safety concerns; commissioners responded that meetings will remain open to the public and that the reconstituted body will still report to the board. The motion to approve the dissolution and successor model passed 5‑0.

What’s next: Staff will support the transition, expand membership and convene subcommittees; the county will continue to receive periodic updates on reentry work and maintain public access to meetings.