Boca Raton City Council Workshop – June 9, 2026

The workshop meeting of the Boca Raton City Council was called to order at 10:28 AM and ran until approximately 12:30 PM, with a break before the regular meeting. The agenda included board interviews for several city advisory boards, a detailed presentation on proposed state property tax reform (HJR 1F), public comments, and council member reports. The city council is composed of Mayor Thompson, Deputy Mayor Grow, Councilmembers Drucker, Sippel, Prolman, and staff.

Board Interviews

• Affordable Housing Advisory Committee: One applicant, Mr. Mitchell, was absent. No other applicants. Interview deferred to regular meeting.
• Citizens’ Pedestrian and Bikeway Advisory Board: No applicants.
• Executive Employees’ Retirement Plan: Applicant Mr. Barrington absent; deferred.
• Historic Preservation Board: Four vacancies, five applicants. Four interviewed: Julie Botello Tallerico (reappointment, 5 years on board, licensed contractor), Frank Boros (longtime resident, Paradise Palms), Benjamin Schreyer (reappointment, registered architect), Yvonne Zoom Tobal (reappointment, 9 years on board, Old Floresta resident). Fifth applicant Mr. Liguri absent.
• Parks and Recreation Board: Two applicants interviewed: Brianna Hanquist (advocate for parks and wildlife, mentioned Sugarsand Park preservation) and Nikki Gomez (retired parks and rec director, 33 years with City of Boca Raton). A late applicant, Judy Morrow, was allowed to submit an application.
• Marine Advisory Board: No applicants.
• Additional: Councilmember Drucker noted a vacancy on the Palm Beach County MPO Citizens Advisory Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Property Tax Reform (Item 2A): Several residents spoke during the public comment period after the presentation.
  • John Anderson (290 West Palmetto) suggested cutting parks and recreation budget (25% of general fund) as a source of savings.
  • Mike Liebelson (398 NE Third Court) strongly supported the reform, arguing it would reduce taxes for young families by $2,013 per year and that the city should cut spending rather than raise millage rates. He claimed the city's revenues increased 70% over four years while population grew only 2.9%.
  • Pam Pashki (341 SW 2nd Street) criticized the reform as a "hammer approach" that would hurt lower-income communities and renters, and expressed disappointment that State Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman voted for the bill.
  • Martin Bell (761 SW Third Street) noted that the city saved $22 million by not proceeding with the Sugarsand Park destruction, and argued that projected future tax revenue from new development and eventual sale of homestead properties could offset the $16.7 million loss. He recommended hiring freezes and using reserves.
  • Jonathan Ungien (6501 Congress Avenue) urged against raising taxes on commercial properties, noting that his office building already pays high taxes and such increases would stifle growth. He suggested the city run lean regardless.
  • Alexander Lambritis (2190 NW Fourth Court) argued that the reform would reduce public resources like parks and libraries, which are vital for renters and lower-income residents, and that the real issue is insurance rates, not property taxes.
• On Other Public Requests (Item 3): Several residents made additional requests.
  • Dr. Lorraine Blank (545 NW 7th Street) requested the RFQ for the civic project be posted on the city website, and asked when the city would discuss the eight acres not included in the plan.
  • John Anderson (returned) mentioned Brightline train borrowing at 14.89% interest.
  • Mike Liebelson (returned) asked about the five-year residency requirement for the new homestead exemption.
  • Pam Pashki (returned) requested reconsideration of open space/green space requirements for new developments, citing confusion about how "40% open space" is calculated.
  • Martin Bell (returned) discussed the downtown redevelopment, suggesting the city should focus on foundational goals rather than hiring consultants, and advocated for preserving green space.
  • Jonathan Ungien (returned) suggested a small VAT tax to capture revenue from tourists, and called for a strategic planning session to set city goals beyond Memorial Park. He also criticized what he called "anti-police rhetoric" and supported a new police station.

Discussion Items

• Property Tax Reform (HJR 1F) Presentation: City Staff (Mr. Zervis) presented a comprehensive analysis of the proposed state constitutional amendment that would increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 (effective Jan 1, 2027) and then to $250,000 (effective Jan 1, 2028), with a five-year waiting period for new residents. The presentation detailed the impact on the city's tax base: an estimated loss of $16.73 million in property tax revenue (11.56% of property tax revenues, 6.1% of general fund expenditures). The city's taxable value would drop from $41.6 billion to $37 billion. The presentation also noted that public safety accounts for 62% of the general fund budget, and that across-the-board cuts of 6.53% would be required to offset the loss. Options discussed included: cutting services, raising millage rates (a 12% increase to 4.1078 mills would fully replace the loss), increasing non-ad valorem fire fees, adjusting other fees, using CRA tax increment rebates, outsourcing, and other revenue ideas. Staff also noted a potential legal challenge to the ballot language.
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilmember Drucker expressed strong disappointment with the state legislature for focusing on property tax reform instead of property insurance reform. She emphasized the city's fiscal responsibility and noted that the city had already cut $2.1 million in vacant positions last year in preparation. She stressed protecting public safety, noting that one-minute response time reductions could be life-threatening.
  • Councilmember Prolman noted that the city saved money by not proceeding with the Terra Frisbee project, and that using interest from that money could cover the loss for many years.
  • Councilmember Sippel warned that smaller cities like South Bay, Pahokee, etc., would be devastated by the reform, and that Boca's cushion might need to be shared.
  • Councilmember Grow urged residents to attend the June 18 budget workshop to participate in local decision-making.
  • Mayor Thompson facilitated the discussion.
• Council Member Reports (Item 7): A brief exchange occurred between Councilmember Drucker and Councilmember Perlman regarding the Dixie Manor/Martin Manor affordable housing redevelopment. Drucker praised the project as a success, noting that residents were given vouchers and will have the opportunity to return. Perlman expressed concern that current residents may not be able to afford the new rents, and that he is investigating the transition from public housing to affordable housing.

Key Outcomes

• Board Appointments: No formal votes were taken during the workshop; appointments will be made at the regular meeting later that day.
• Property Tax Reform: Council received the presentation and public input. No decisions were made, but the discussion set the stage for the June 18 budget workshop. Staff will continue to monitor the legislation and provide further analysis.
• Future Agenda: The regular meeting was scheduled to commence at 12:45 PM.
• Public Requests: Staff will follow up on Dr. Blank's request for the RFQ posting and Ms. Pashki's request regarding open space requirements.