SHARP DECLINE IN BOCA STUDENT ENROLLMENT IMPACTS COMMUNITY

Palm Beach County is experiencing a decline in student enrollment, and Boca even moreso, according to a recent district report. Housing affordability is mentioned as one possible reason. Hurricanes also may have played a role in families moving out of state. Lower cost-of-living and more job opportunity in other states may be a factor for families who have sold their homes and moved elsewhere. One benefit is smaller classes.

Less students means fewer dollars for the district and therefore, cuts in county programs.
A large percentage of new enrollments are children of baby boomers who want to retire in Boca Raton.

EMINENT DOMAIN MAY RESULT TO CREATE DOWNTOWN BOCA “SPINE”

A pedestrian walkway is proposed from Mizner Park to Royal Palm Place and negotiations soon will begin for the purchase of land in the area, with eminent domain (“the forced taking of land”) a possible consideration. The aim is to create a path with eye-appealing amenities to draw people to see it, and to shop along the way. The Boca Raton Historical Society is trying to preserve certain sections of the city’s retail center because of the historic value. The land acquisition should end by the 3rd quarter of 2008. A bond issue will develop to cover costs, and public input will be involved Design of the spine should run from mid-2008 to the first quarter of 2 009. Construction and engineering could start in the 2nd quarter of 2009 with completion planned for the 4th quarter of 2010.

9-PASSENGER JET CHARTER ADDED AT BOCA RATON AIRPORT

Executive Jet Management added a private jet to Boca Raton which has a non-stop range of 4400 miles, and can fly Boca to Los Angeles or Miami to Brazil. The company is a leading provider of worldwide jet charter and aircraft management services which has earned the “Best Charter Service” award from Professional Pilot magazine subscribers for it’s 9th consecutive year. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of NetJets Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company and manages aircraft in more than 60 locations throughout the country. The jet features a DVD player, two 18” video monitors, two data ports, flight phone and galley with microwave and conventional ovens. The plane is a Falcon 2000EX.

BOCA SETS NEW NON-RESIDENT LIBRARY CARD FEES

The construction of the new western library, which has been held up due to litigation, will be finished at some future date. With a “significant decrease” in non-resident card users in the past few years, according to City Manager Leif Ahnell, the City Counsel voted to set fees of $100 for a non-resident individual library card, and $`75 for a non-resident family library card.

Non-residents have been paying $150 for a library card but it costs city residents $161 in taxes to get the same services. Dorothy Gunn, a 5-year member of the Library Adivsory Board in Boca Raton and LAB liaison to the Friends of the Library Boards says that public libraries should be free. Ahnell said the cost of a non-resident card was $35 in 1999, $40 in 2000, $50 om 2001 and 2002, $65 in 2003 and 2004, and $150 in 2005.

Tax payments cover the cost of a library card for residents.