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Solid Waste Authority approves new executive-director contract and selects Ronald L. Book, P.A., as lobbyist in 4–3 vote
Summary
The Solid Waste Authority approved a three‑year employment contract for a new executive director ($325,000/year, starting 2025‑12‑24) by unanimous vote and selected Ronald L. Book, P.A., as its lobbying firm after board rankings and a 4–3 roll-call vote; staff was directed to execute contracts subject to legal review.
The Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority on Thursday approved several key personnel and contracting decisions: the board unanimously approved a proposed employment contract for a new executive director, and after public presentations and a board ranking exercise it selected Ronald L. Book, P.A., as its legislative representative in a 4–3 roll-call vote.
Contract for executive director: Attorney Jones presented a proposed employment agreement for Ramona Carey (as listed in the staff report) with an annual salary of $325,000, a $600 monthly car allowance, an annual cost-of-living adjustment consistent with other SWA employees and an annual merit increase tied to the average increase for authority staff. The contract term begins on 2025‑12‑24 for a nominal three‑year term with an annual rollover and a 90‑day termination provision. Vice Chair Flores moved to approve the contract; Mayor Baxter seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Grant awards and other business: The board also considered a second round of blighted and distressed property cleanup grants. Staff said earlier awards had totaled $270,700 and that $479,000 remained available; four new applications totaling $503,629 exceeded available funds by roughly $24,329. Commissioners voted to fund eligible demolition requests and declined to fund capital improvements in one application (motion carried, recorded as 6–0 with one commissioner absent for that vote).
Lobbying services procurement: Staff forwarded three proposals for legislative representation (Becker & Poliakoff; GrayRobinson; and Ronald L. Book, P.A.). The firms’ pricing in the proposals was listed in the RFP materials (Becker & Poliakoff ~$63,000/year, GrayRobinson ~$69,000/year, Ronald L. Book ~$90,000/year). Applicants explained billing approaches — the Book firm emphasized an all‑inclusive retainer model and said it “does not charge add‑ons” — while other firms provided retainer amounts and hourly rates for services outside the scope. Board members completed score sheets and staff computed average rankings; staff’s tally of average ranks put Becker & Poliakoff first by score, Ronald Book second and GrayRobinson third by average ranking. The board then held a roll‑call vote between the top two; the roll call produced four votes for Ronald Book (Commissioners Flores, Baxter, Sacks and Weiss) and three for Becker & Poliakoff (Vice Mayor Woodward, Commissioner Powell and Commissioner Marino), yielding a 4–3 majority in favor of Ronald L. Book, P.A. The board directed staff to execute a contract with Ronald L. Book, P.A., subject to legal review.
RFQ for REF1R legal services: The board approved staff’s plan to advertise a request for qualifications for legal services in support of the Palm Beach Renewable Energy Facility (REF1R) project; staff plans to shortlist firms and return with a recommendation in April. At the public podium, Linda Smith requested that the procurement include a lifecycle-cost analysis in addition to the legal work.
Board member remarks and retirements: Outgoing Executive Director Dan Pelowitz offered closing remarks praising staff and operations; commissioners thanked him for his service and welcomed the incoming executive director.
What happens next: Staff will bring back formal contract documents (subject to legal review) and will return recommended shortlists for REF1R legal services. The lobbying contract execution will proceed contingent on general‑counsel review.
