Commission adopts 2026 federal agenda emphasizing earmarks for roads, airports, water and coastal projects
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Summary
County staff presented an abbreviated 2026 federal legislative agenda including earmarks for farm-to-market roads, airport security and grants, PFAS water‑treatment upgrades, beach renourishment, and requests for community project funding; the board adopted the agenda unanimously and staff will meet the congressional delegation in Washington.
County legislative staff presented Palm Beach County's 2026 federal agenda, and the commission voted to adopt it.
The agenda highlights transportation items (support for legislation setting aside 10% of some federal funds for farm‑to‑market roads and an earmark for County Road 880), airport funding and security improvements for Palm Beach International Airport and North County Airport, and environmental priorities including beach renourishment and work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on easement interpretation. Staff also outlined PFAS-related upgrades targeted at local water treatment plants (Plant 2 and Plant 8 in Greenacres and a western site), and public safety priorities such as FEMA reimbursement requests tied to overtime during presidential protection events at PBIA.
Staff told the board that the community project funding (earmark) window opens in early spring and that county representatives will meet the congressional delegation and staff in Washington in late February. Commissioners asked where to find the full agenda online; staff directed them to the county’s legislative affairs webpage.
The commission adopted the federal agenda by unanimous vote (6–0). Staff said they will pursue earmarks and coordinate with the county’s lobby team and administration during the appropriations and community project funding cycle.
