Education
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Marketing from Palm Beach Atlantic University and a National Human Resources License. Additionally, I completed my teaching credential coursework at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
Experience
Program Director and Teacher (20+ years): skilled in strategic planning, problem-solving, data analysis to guide decisions. HOA President: restored financial stability, managed contracts and repairs, ensured board compliance, and oversaw sales/rentals paperwork
Endorsements
HISPAC
Instagram
www.instagram.com/heatherdeitchmanforpbg/
Campaign Phone
5613511072
Palm Beach Gardens is growing out of balance and lacks attainable housing. This forces teachers, nurses, first responders, and young professionals to live elsewhere, increasing traffic and straining infrastructure. Without housing options for working families, the city risks losing the people who keep our schools, businesses, and services vibrant.
While infrastructure improvements are underway, the market is dominated by “luxury” developers whose high overhead makes even dense projects too expensive for average families. To address this, the city should diversify its developer mix further & actively court mid-level regional builders who specialize in the missing middle, such as quality townhomes and condos affordable to working families.
Palm Beach Gardens’ greatest strength is the deep connection shared by those who call it home. This isn't just a place where people live; it’s a community where neighbors know each other and local businesses are the heartbeat of our daily lives. From the entrepreneur opening their first shop to the families gathering in our parks, these relationships create a foundation of trust and safety that defines us.
To maintain this, we must continue to support small businesses, which serve as the anchors of our economy and the gathering spots for our residents. By prioritizing smart planning and preserving our green spaces, we ensure that as we grow, we don't lose the intimate, secure feel of our neighborhoods.
My strategy is simple: efficiency first, essential services last. Before touching a single core service, we must trim every ounce of waste and 'padding' from the budget. Our police and fire departments are the backbone of our city's safety, and they are my highest budget priority and a top priority for resident peace of mind.
We cannot simply develop our way out of a revenue gap; growth must be thoughtful and not reactive. Instead, I’ll focus even more on creative revenue streams, such as state grants and business partnerships, while keeping the process fully transparent. Palm Beach Gardens can stay prosperous with lower taxes, but only if we lead with smart budgeting and resident input, so we can explain any necessary tradeoffs.
Palm Beach Gardens has been blessed with a robust budget for years, which has naturally led to greater comfort in spending on extras. I see a significant opportunity to optimize our finances by clearly distinguishing between 'wants' and 'needs.'
My priority is to protect our core: public safety, infrastructure, and parks, while eliminating the budget creep and administrative padding that often accumulate in prosperous times. My goal isn't just to spend or save; it’s to ensure that every dollar is an investment in the services that matter most to our residents.
While 'extras' are a sign of a thriving city, we must be prepared to lead with honesty. If we need to tighten our belt, I'm committed to doing the hard work of cutting back.
Managing this new law really comes down to a smart, multi-agency strategy. Right now, our first responders are on the front lines as the eyes and ears of our community, and they do a vital job of connecting people with information on the spot.
While Palm Beach Gardens already follows the county-wide plan, we need to ensure that the hand-off to partners like The Lord’s Place and The Homeless Coalition, who are already part of that alliance, is seamless. It isn't enough to just 'follow a plan' on paper; we need to make sure that when a contact is made in our city, it leads to real-time services and compassionate support. We also need to follow up to ensure it is working by asking questions and seeking feedback from those partners.
Education
BS Florida State University Geology MS Virginia Polytechnic Institute Geological Sciences
Experience
Palm Beach Gardens City Council 2004-2016
Campaign Phone
5612367062
When term limits were passed in 2016 the entire instructional knowledge was held by the city manager and the staff. The city manager used the council's inexperience to reduce the council's oversight responsibility and limit public input. We need a council member that will stand up to the city manager and restore the council's oversight of the administration. Council liaisons need to be restored to the city advisory boards to allow those boards to have more input. We need to conduct workshops for critical projects.
The city is in excellent financial shape. Studies should be conducted to find additional cost efficiencies. I would like to determine if it is more cost effective to rent heavy equipment versus owning that equipment.
I strongly oppose cutting property taxes. The alternatives are either impossible or unpalatable. One alternative is to impose fees for people using fire or police services and increasing the fees charged for recreation. This would discourage residents from using vital services. A second alternative is for a non-ad valorem tax. This would increase the tax burden on lower priced properties and is a regressive tax. The legislature could increase the sales tax, which again is a regressive tax and would hurt lower income people. The legislature could pass a state income tax. That will not happen.
There is always opportunity to make government or any organization more efficient. I mentioned looking into the cost effectiveness of owning heavy equipment versus renting. I would also like to look at downsizing city vehicles.
The city is doing well. I have not heard about homeless people being a problem in the city. We could give out police information about homeless services to give to homeless people when they are encountered.
Education
Temple University School of Pharmacy, BS in Pharmacy; Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, Consultant Pharmacist Licensure Certification
Experience
I have served with integrity during a 47-year career in pharmaceutical sales, retail, hospital, and consultancy. Since 2016 I have been devoted to public service including 6 years as City of Palm Beach Gardens Council member, Vice Mayor, & Mayor and serve on many public & non-profit boards.
Endorsements
PBC PBA, Firefighters & Paramedics IAFF Local 5470, PBC BizPac, NorthPAC ll of Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, Palm Beach/Treasure Coast AFL-CIO, Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie REALTORS®, Ruth's List Florida, PBC Human Rights Council, Numerous local, regional and state elected officials.
Instagram
instagram.com/rachellelitt4citycouncil
The biggest challenge facing the City of Palm Beach Gardens is managing growth in a way that preserves the city’s character, integrity, and overall quality of life. As the city continues to grow, it is essential to focus that growth thoughtfully, including through a transit-oriented district that allows for higher density in appropriate areas while reducing traffic impacts. Traffic congestion is one of the most significant issues the city faces, and the solution is not to keep people out, but to plan smarter—creating places where people can live near where they work, reducing the need to be on the road every day. Ultimately, the greatest threat to Palm Beach Gardens is not growth itself, but unmanaged growth that undermines quality of life.
The City of Palm Beach Gardens has two great strengths, and they work hand in hand. The first is its fiscal strength and commitment to responsible budgeting. When I previously served on the City Council, we lowered the property tax rate multiple times and held it steady when reductions were not possible. That discipline has allowed the city to maintain healthy reserves that protect residents during emergencies and ensure a balanced budget. The second strength is the city’s world-class services and amenities, including its parks, recreation programs, and police and fire departments. Fiscal strength makes these services possible by providing the resources needed to maintain a high quality of life for our residents.
Eliminating property taxes would place an enormous fiscal burden on Palm Beach Gardens and its residents. Property taxes are a primary funding source for essential services like police and fire. If property taxes are eliminated, the city would be forced to either cut critical services, which is not acceptable, or replace the revenue through other means, such as dramatically higher sales taxes. State lawmakers must fully understand the impact of their decisions. We then evaluate the effect on the city. Funding cuts lead to service cuts. The challenge is to preserve as many services as possible without placing unreasonable burdens on taxpayers.
There are almost always opportunities for marginal savings, and resident input is an important part of making those decisions. That said, Palm Beach Gardens is an exceptionally well-run and efficient city with a strong track record of using property tax revenue and other fees responsibly. The city consistently stretches every dollar, including creatively leveraging penny sales tax revenues by bonding them to maximize infrastructure improvements. That kind of smart, aggressive fiscal management has served residents well and should continue to guide budget decisions going forward.
As a long-serving and current Board member at the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County, I see how homelessness remains a challenge for municipalities. Addressing it requires a careful balance. Cities must treat people experiencing homelessness with dignity and ensure they have access to appropriate services, while also protecting quality of life. This remains a complex issue. Palm Beach Gardens has approached it responsibly. Our police department maintains awareness of individuals in the community and connects them to services when possible. Especially in South Florida’s climate, compassion and enforcement must work together to keep public spaces safe and accessible for everyone.
