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Residents and candidates press council on ballot language, appraisals and P3 risks
Summary
During the Dec. 1 workshop, residents and local candidates urged caution over a proposed downtown P3 and the ballot language tied to a citizen petition; the court recently found petition language unconstitutional and commenters requested independent appraisals and clearer financial terms.
Public comment at Boca Raton’s Dec. 1 workshop centered on procedural and fiduciary concerns about the proposed downtown campus P3 and recent litigation over a citizen petition.
John Perlman, a local resident and candidate, told the council the deal leaves an $87,385,000 funding gap and questioned whether appraisal and baseline fair‑market valuation terms favor the developer. "We're giving this land… we're at a negative in terms of being able to fund what we need," Perlman said, and he asked that the Walter Duke appraisal be released in advance of the next meeting so residents can review it.
Michelle Grau, a certified public accountant, criticized the revenue mix used in a prior CBRE analysis and argued that relying heavily on contingent revenue items — transfer fees and upside sharing — exposes the city to unnecessary risk. "Base rent only accounts for 35% of the total projected revenue… That is far too low," she said, urging the city not to enter a 99‑year agreement before tax law outcomes are known.
Several other members of the public echoed skepticism about long‑term assumptions and the 99‑year term, arguing the analysis relies on speculative inputs. Joe Majors asked for prompt public disclosure of the Walter Duke appraisal and called attention to PFM’s acknowledgement that including construction costs could generate a net negative result in certain comparative calculations.
City Attorney Mr. Koehler addressed the court action that removed citizen measures from the January ballot, saying the judge found the petition language unconstitutional as a separate legal issue from the 90‑day election timing. Koehler said the city followed charter processes and worked with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections to schedule the earliest feasible election date.
In response to public concern, a council member proposed drafting a city ordinance to require multiple hearings and written findings of public benefit before the sale, lease or disposition of city land larger than half an acre. Council members and staff said the PFM presentation and the Walter Duke appraisal would be available for further review and that the council would revisit outstanding issues at upcoming meetings.
