Under the Council-Manager system, the council members set policy, adopt local laws and regulations, approve the annual budget and tax rate, set guidelines for expenditures, award contracts, appoint board members and represent residents’ interests. They also guide growth, ensure fiscal integrity and provide community leadership. Terms are two years; elections are at-large. Annual salary: Unpaid position
Education
Milton Academy - High School, Boston College - Bachelor in Finance, Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Master in Real Estate
Experience
Founder and president of Boston, Investment and Development, Founder of Palm Beach Walks and Friends of Lake Drive Park
Endorsements
Palm Beach County Human Rights Council
Instagram
johncoreypalmbeach
Campaign Phone
6175900886
Palm Beach is experiencing overwhelming growth which has created traffic congestion and intensification which diminishes the quality of life of the residents.
Palm Beach is a unique island which is known for its architectural heritage, historic preservation, parks and beautiful beaches.
The assets need to be protected by controlling rampant growth, following the town comprehensive plan and opposing overdevelopment.
Palm Beach hospitality and sale taxes might need to be increased in the property taxes are eliminated.
Finding a good source of potable water via a long term contract could be away to get savings in the budget.
Palm Beach does not generally has a homeless population.
Education
Princeton University – B.A. cum Laude in Public & International Affairs; Harvard University – M.A. in East Asian Studies; Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Ph.D. program Urban Studies & Planning (requirements completed except for dissertation)
Experience
Elected Palm Beach Town Council 2018-Present; Town of Palm Beach Planning and Zoning Commission; Cox Science Center and Aquarium, Chairman of the Board; Palm Beach Zoo, Board Member and Executive Committee; Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches -Life Time Achievement Award 2022.
The town is built-out with a stable population, global brand, strong traditions, and an enjoyable lifestyle. Our biggest threat is traffic and congestion. We have addressed this problem with the creation of a new Comprehensive Plan and a major effort to rewrite our Town's Zoning Code. Citizen members of our appointed boards and commissions participated in these efforts. Traffic congestion has four main causes: (1) the Town is cut in half when President Trump is in residence; (2) we are an island and subject to bridge openings that stop traffic; (3) trade vehicles and household staff performing services for our residents; and (4) tourists and beachgoers. These are being dealt with by measures put in place by the Council and Town staff.
The Town's greatest strength is its people and their willingness to get involved in governance through our Town boards and commissions. More than 50 of our residents participate in our many established planning and zoning, architectural review, landmarking, recreation, shore protection (and more) advisory boards, devoting serious time and energy to making policy and operational recommendations to the Council. The Town is fortunate in having great staff leadership and a group of professional staff. We are a well-managed Town with ample financial reserves, more than 350 landmarked buildings, strong public safety and security assets, excellent cultural and shopping options and sustainable management practices for our shoreline and parks.
The impacts of current bills on our Town will depend on which of the most likely ones is actually chosen. Worst case scenario we would lose $37.6 million in property taxes and would have to cut 47% of our non-Public Safety budget. That would result in a loss of 71 positions out of 153 General Fund positions. This would result in a reduction in services, defer or eliminate sand renourishment projects; defer/eliminate seawall replacements; defer road paving; defer/eliminate infrastructure projects; and experience long term impacts on our public safety budgets because of reduced property tax incremental revenue. Palm Beach has strong reserves, an AAA bond rating and a millage rate that actually has gone DOWN by 23% over the past ten years.
Potential options to replace lost property tax revenue include: increase other revenues (parking, business tax, rec fees); create new Town assessments for services; increase millage on non-homesteaded property; and outsource services to reduce cost. None of these bills will pass the Legislature and, if so, receive a 60% majority in a statewide referendum. The most likely result will be an increase in the Homestead tax deduction available to property owners who have registered under the program. The exemption might be as much as $100,000, in which case the Town could withstand the impact on revenues. About two thirds of our revenues come from the property tax, with enterprise funds making up one third of our revenues.
We have no services for the homelessness in our Town. Our officers are trained to enforce the law with respect for those individuals who come to our Town. We have made arrangements with the full spectrum of services to the homeless that are offered in West Palm Beach. Our officers explain these options and then provide a ride to the place where the service/shelter is offered. Our Town does not have a so-called "homelessness problem". Our law enforcement officers execute requirements of the new law with great tact and understanding.
