Palm Beach delegation hears county’s 2026 priorities: roads, water projects and reentry funding
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Summary
County legislative staff walked the delegation through 2026 local priorities including County Road 880 reconstruction (SB250), the Lake Worth Lagoon and Loxahatchee River initiatives, water‑treatment plant PFAS work, and requests for appropriation for recreation and public safety projects.
PALM BEACH — Palm Beach County legislative staff presented a multi‑sector list of 2026 priorities to the county’s legislative delegation, seeking state support for infrastructure, environment and public‑safety projects.
Alessandro, the county’s new legislative director, outlined housing and economic development priorities including monitoring a Live Local Act iteration and supporting Senator Bernard’s local bill prohibiting midyear rent increases on taxpayer‑funded housing. The presentation highlighted transportation and rural infrastructure priorities such as County Road 880 (requests tied to SB250 and direct appropriations for bridge replacement) and an 18‑mile Farm Market Road reconstruction in the Everglades agricultural area.
The county also flagged environment and water priorities: appropriations and local matches for the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative and the Loxahatchee River Preservation Initiative, two PFAS water‑treatment plant projects, and several municipal sewer conversion and habitat restoration projects. Public‑safety and human‑services items mentioned included funding for a reentry facility, fire‑rescue water vehicles, mobile‑home and manufactured‑housing safety measures, and caregiver licensing measures.
Why it matters: The list bundles local requests the county will track during the legislative session and ties specific projects to named sponsors in the House and Senate. Several items are already in committee or have sponsors identified, which county staff said improves the chance of consideration during appropriation cycles.
Quotes: Alessandro summarized the approach: "We will closely monitor any legislation that impacts our ability to collect impact fees ... and we're supportive of appropriations for the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative and the Loxahatchee River Preservation Initiative." Commissioner and legislative leaders thanked the staff for identifying sponsors and for clarifying where county resources will be requested.
What’s next: County staff said they are coordinating with municipal partners and lobby teams and will brief the delegation again as bills move through committee. The workshop did not create new legislation; it organized and publicized the county’s 2026 requests.
