House makes changes to key county boundaries
Murphy’s District 18 would drop Democratic-leaning Riviera voters.
TALLAHASSEE — The House made changes to the Senate’s proposed congressional boundaries Thursday that could ripple through one of Palm Beach County’s fiercest political battlegrounds.
The House approach takes 4,202 voters in Riviera Beach out of District 18, the seat held by U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Jupiter, placing them within the boundaries of District 20, held by U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Delray Beach. »
DocuThe move is modest. But it ments show priremoves voters from a Demvate discussions ocratic-leaning city in Disin Senate redistrict 18, which has drawn 10 tricting, Republican candidates and four Democratic contenders looking to succeed Murphy, who is running for U.S. Senate.
Among the Republican candidates is Martin County School Board member Rebecca Negron, wife of Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, a leading Republican lawmaker. A consultant for a Democratic contender, Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay, is Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth.
Each congressional district includes 696,345 voters, and Clemens said it was hard to tell what impact the switch could have on next year’s race. Until Thursday, the hotly contested District
tion, reflflects a 7.8 percent increase from the previous year.
Councilman Bert Premuroso said the additional staffff should better serve current residents and meet demands of projected future growth. Half of the additional positions are part-time ones the city plans to convert to full time. Three are at the Riverside Youth Enrichment Center, one is a code compliance offifficer and one is a municipal services clerk, Finance Administrator Allan Owens said.
The proposed budget includes the restoration of a captain and administrative specialist in the police department and a new code compliance offifficer. Engineering and community services administration would again have operations managers. The city eliminated some positions during the recession.
Personnel costs account for the majority, or 68 percent, of the city’s general fund operating expenses.
Police pension contributions for 2016 amount to 2.9 million, and fifire pension contributions total $2.8 million. Owens said the city has worked hard during the past several years to improve its police and fifire pensions, and they’re now 72 percent and 80 percent funded, respectively, after an additional principal payment.
“We’re pretty proud of the direction we’re going as far as our public safety pension funding,” he said.
In 2010, both had just more than 50 percent of what they would need if their obligations came due at once.
The city is still negotiating with the International Association of Fire Fighters, but the budget allows for salary increases that average 4.3 percent for 111 members making an average salary of $70,000. Their three-year agree- ment expires Sept. 30, Owens said.
For 134 Police Benevolent Association members, the budget accounts for their negotiated percent across- the- board salary increases and another average half-percent negotiated salary adjustment. The average salary is $71,500, Owens Have a Palm Beach Gardens issue you’d like to see The Post tackle, or a story idea? Contact Sarah Peters at 561-820-4715 or speters@ pbpost.com.
said.
The Service Employees International Union contract, meanwhile, provides for 3 percent raises for 65 members who make an average salary of $44,500.
The city plans to use about 2.4 million from reserves for one-time capital expenses, Owens said. A consultant who mapped and inspected the city’s stormwater system identifified $1.5 million of renovations that require immediate attention, so the budget includes that amount for the replacement of pipes and structures.
Transfers to other accounts will help with road projects.