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Residents press Boca Raton leaders on property tax increases, park decisions and pedestrian safety
Summary
Multiple residents used the CRA public‑request period on June 9 to question recent property tax revenue increases, ask whether a Beach and Park District resolution should be formally repealed, and urge investments in pedestrian crossings along Palmetto Park Road.
Several residents raised fiscal and public‑safety concerns during the Boca Raton CRA public‑request period on June 9.
Mike Liebelson told the board he was concerned about a large increase in property tax revenue, saying Boca Raton’s property tax revenue rose from about $85 million in 2022 to $145 million today — a roughly $60 million increase — while population grew only about 2.9 percent. He urged the council to explain where the increased revenue was allocated and to consider returning money to residents rather than raising millage or cutting services.
Mayor Thompson responded that the issue is complex and noted increased costs of providing services since COVID‑19, citing inflation and supply‑chain pressures as partial explanations for rising expenditures.
In another comment, Brianna Hanquist asked whether the city council needed to repeal a Beach and Park District resolution (cited in the comment as Resolution 98, 2025) to complete the public record on a proposed softball project at Sugar Sand Park. Later in the attorney’s report, the city attorney said the interlocal agreement (ILA) with the district contains a termination clause and that the district had exercised its right to terminate the ILA, which makes further legal action unnecessary; repealing the earlier resolution would be largely symbolic.
Resident Martin Bell asked the board to prioritize pedestrian safety and connectivity on Palmetto Park Road, describing a roughly 0.8‑mile stretch he called “unprotected” for pedestrians near Royal Oak Hills and St. Paul Lutheran School and urging investments similar to recent downtown pedestrian improvements.
Fran Nachlis requested that when staff returns with downtown parking data they also provide an update on a pilot program that allowed 29 free parking spaces intended to assist businesses with customer turnover.
The CRA did not take formal action on these public comments at the June 9 meeting; staff and the city attorney provided clarifications and promised follow‑up where applicable.
