Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Experience
30+ experience as a CPA, Specializing in Governmental Accounting, Auditing, Finance, Forensic Valuation
Endorsements
SaveBoca
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/michelleforboca/
Campaign Phone
5612123452
Loss of Public Land. Public Land belongs to the people of Boca Raton and should be used only for direct benefit of our residents. The developer is not directly contributing to the cost of the project. Public land should not be used for a private developer to profit from. Large-scale redevelopment projects like One Boca warrant careful scrutiny because their impacts extend far beyond architectural renderings and promotional language. When public land is committed, especially under a 99-year lease, the decision is effectively permanent, shaping the city’s finances, infrastructure demands, and community character for generations. I am asking for residents to Vote NO on March 10th on the 99 Year lease of our downtown public land.
Our greatest strength is our $36 billion tax base. As one of the wealthiest cities in South Florida, we have the financial capacity to improve our quality of life and invest for the long term.
We can responsibly use a portion of our reserves to fund essential public projects: new police station, community center, City Hall and facilities at Memorial Park, We do not need to give away public land to accomplish these goals.
We should also strengthen coordination with the Park District - move forward with North and Gumbo Limbo funding. Our Infrastructure is aging and we need continued renewal and replacement for our wastewater treatment plant and sewer upgrades that reduce flooding. Also, modernizing public safety equipment and technology.
Without a clear plan to replace revenue, governments will have to make some very difficult decisions. Expand homestead exemptions gradually for seniors and vulnerable households in phases but also consider complementary programs for renters and low-income residents, as they will be subsidizing this. I would avoid across the board pro rata cuts, do an audit to evaluate non-essential spending, ensure tax dollars are spent efficiently, present proposed cuts at public forums, seek resident input, freeze hiring for non-essential positions, review contracts and vendor agreements for cost savings, improve energy efficiency. Prioritize essential services first. Explore options like modest increase in the mileage, which is already low.
As a CPA and longtime business owner in Boca Raton, I approach city finances with focus on efficiency, accountability, and strategic priorities. While our city has significant resources, there are still opportunities to make government work smarter. Fortunately, our city has accumulated excess reserves, over the last 10 years, which gives our city time to explore waste, excess overhead. The reality is, we can make small cuts to almost every department and still be in a great financial situation, without cutting into essential services. For example, the Internal Service fund has $155M that should be a fund that break-even. That money could be used to offset other costs in other funds. Also get more out of this P3 if it passes
Boca’s approach reflects an understanding that homelessness is a complex social issue, not a law‑enforcement problem. While HB 1365 requires cities to enforce rules about public camping, it also places responsibility on local governments to work with residents experiencing housing instability and to ensure compliance without criminalizing homelessness. From my conversations with police, they have not aggressively cracked down on homelessness under the new law, however, we need to hire more liaison officers to connect with housing resources and work better with nonprofits and county resources. If elected, I want to form a Task Force to focuses on connecting individuals with support rather than relying solely on enforcement.
Education
COLLEGE DEGREE (BA) - BUSINESS & FINANCE
Experience
LICENSED REAL ESTATE INSTRUCTOR, LICENSED PROPERTY MANAGER, LICENSED BUSNESS BROKER, LICENSED PRIVATE BANKER, LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER, LICENSED FRANCHISE BROKER, LICENSED REAL ESTATE AUCTIONEER, LICENSED TICKET BROKER, LICENSENCED PRECIOUS METALS BROKER, LICENSED ART DEALER, LICENSED LOAN OFFICE
Campaign Phone
5614829557
POLITICAL CORRUPTION, LOCAL POLITICIANS CONTROLLED BY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, LOBBYISTS & POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES
LOCAL AIRPORT, GREAT TRANSPORTATION HUB
BOCA RATON HAS A+ CREDIT RATING AND DOES NOT NEED TO REDUCE SERVICES
ELIMINATE WASTEFUL SPENDING. MANY LOCAL POLITIANS HAVE NO BUSINESS SENSE AND HIRE UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE
LOCAL POLITIANS NEED MORE EDUCATION ON THIS LAW.
Education
University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law, JD 2005
Experience
Since 1986, Christen Ritchey has been a big part of Boca Raton. She is running for City Council to continue serving the community she loves. A founding partner at the Johnson Ritchey Family Law Firm, she specializes in family law matters, resolving complex and often contentious legal issues by findi
Endorsements
Realtors of Broward, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Counties; Business Leaders United for Boca Raton; Firefighters & Paramedics of Boca Raton IAFF Local 1560; Boca Raton Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35
Instagram
@christenritcheyforcitycouncil
Campaign Phone
561-392-4400
Boca Raton's greatest threat is complacency amid rapid change. Growth pressures, rising costs, and aging infrastructure can quietly erode quality of life without proactive planning. Addressing this requires protecting public safety through data-driven resource deployment; investing responsibly in roads, drainage, water/sewer systems, and facilities to avoid costly emergency fixes; planning growth intentionally to reduce congestion and preserve neighborhoods; and strengthening resilience through stormwater and coastal protections - core services in Florida, not optional ones.
Boca Raton's greatest strength is its culture of excellence, supported by a deeply engaged community. Residents care, businesses invest, and families choose Boca for safety, schools, parks, and overall quality of life. To build on this strength, we must keep the city safe, clean, and well-run as the foundation for everything else; support smart economic development that protects neighborhoods while strengthening the tax base; maintain world-class parks and public spaces that set Boca apart; and deliver city services with clear performance standards, transparency, and accountability.
Property taxes fund the core functions of local government - public safety, infrastructure, and neighborhood services. If the state significantly reduces or eliminates local property taxes, cities would face a clear choice: cut essential services or replace the revenue. At risk are police and fire staffing and equipment; road and drainage maintenance; parks and facilities; and code enforcement and quality-of-life services. If the state forces the issue, cities must advocate for a stable, legally protected replacement revenue source, reduce overreliance on homeowners by expanding appropriate commercial and visitor-based revenue, and tighten cost controls without compromising safety or service delivery.
Residents deserve value for every tax dollar. Boca already emphasizes transparency through regular financial and performance reporting, but there are practical ways to save without cutting front-line services. Opportunities include renegotiating major vendor contracts and consolidating purchasing; improving scheduling and staffing to reduce avoidable overtime; modernizing technology to streamline permitting and inspections; applying lifecycle planning to fleets and facilities to avoid costly reactive repairs; and conducting program-by-program reviews to keep what works and sunset what doesn’t. My approach is to audit ourselves continuously, publish results, and reinvest savings into public safety and infrastructure.
Florida’s HB 1365 limits unauthorized public sleeping or camping unless a county designates compliant areas and allows enforcement with accountability. Boca should be measured by whether parks and sidewalks remain safe and accessible while people are treated humanely; whether the city coordinates with the county, shelters, and service providers to move people into help—not just along; and whether outcomes like referrals and placements are tracked. The right approach is compassion paired with accountability, strong regional coordination, and clear public communication. When done well, public spaces remain usable and more people are connected to services instead of cycling through repeat encounters.
