Town of Lake Clark Shores Annual Report

ANNUAL STATE OF THE TOWN REPORT

FOR ACTIVITIES DURING 2019

This has been an extraordinary year of innovation and improvements.

During 2019, our focus has been on making life in Lake Clarke Shores as easy as possible for our residents and visitors.

From high tech upgrades to our utility and website to something as simple as improving our roads, I am proud of the many accomplishments we achieved this year.

ANNUAL MESSAGE

I invite you to spend a few minutes learning how your public dollars are spent. This year we continued to hold the line on taxes and fees while dramatically improving services.

I hope, after reading this Annual State of the Town Report, you will agree that 2019 was yet another successful year for Lake Clarke Shores.

Mayor Valentin Rodriguez, Jr.

Valentin Rodriguez, Jr. ~ Mayor Paul R. Shalhoub ~ Vice Mayor Robert M. W. Shalhoub ~ President Pro Tem Gregory P. Freebold ~ Council Member Albert Pavon ~ Council Member

TOWN COUNCIL

SHOWING COMPASSION

This year was bookended by two acts demonstrating how Lake Clarke Shores cares about its residents.

The year began with the longest U.S. government shutdown in history as furloughed federal employees found themselves without paychecks. As an act of municipal empathy, the Town announced it would allow any furloughed employee to defer paying their utility bills until they were back to work. The Town also offered a special repayment plan in order to avoid being hit with a large bill upon their return to work.

“This is a very unique set of circumstances," said Lake Clarke Shores Town Manager Dan Clark in January. "We have people in our town that are being hurt by the shutdown. From our City Council to each town employee, this is an extension of what we do every day. We have a duty to help our residents. That’s what local government is all about.”

The Town Council ended the year by permanently amending the rules for utility bill payments to allow the Town to consider a one-time request to forgive late fees if payment of a bill is missed.

Two separate actions. One common purpose. Step up and help residents where and when they need it.

ANNUAL STATE OF THE TOWN REPORT

SAVING MONEY

From cutting fees to upgrading water meters, this year featured several examples of saving residents' money.

Thanks to a new billing system installed this year, residents are no longer charged a processing fee when paying their utility bills online. The elimination of the extra fee was part of the Town's ongoing commitment to use new technology to improve services and reduce costs.

In addition, 2019 also featured the installation of new electronic water meters across the Town. The new meters not only provide more accurate readings, but they also help save money. During one reading, the new, more accurate meters indicated a spike in usage. The Town was able to compare the numbers to previous months, and alerted the homeowner. Thanks to the new meters, a major water leak was detected and repaired before the homeowner was hit with "sticker shock" on the next bill.

ANNUAL STATE OF THE TOWN REPORT

IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE

Several important infrastructure projects moved forward this year.

The Town's ongoing capital improvement plan to improve roadways focused on the north end of Town this year.

Among the areas that saw roadway improvements were Travis Road, Travis Court, Travis Circle, Apple Way, Heather Way, Lin Mar Drive, Escondida, and Carandis Road from Florida Mango Road to Mango Circle. Approximately 85 homes saw new and improved roads outside their front doors this year. The repaving project was funded by the county's one-cent sales tax initiative.

At the same time, plans to improve the Pine Tree Lane bridge continued to move forward. The Town Council approved the issuance of $1.3 million dollars in bonds to finance the project. Construction is expected to begin in the Fall of 2020.

The Town continued to support the boat lift on the C-51 Canal. It is working with Blueway Trail, Inc. and Palm Beach County to advance the project. Palm Beach County Mayor David Kerner has proposed funding the project as part of the $150M Environmental Bond Referendum proposed for Fall 2020.

Finally, thanks to the work of members of the Town Council and the Town Manager in Tallahassee, Lake Clarke Shores received $300,000 in state funds to move forward with the design of the proposed septic to sewer conversion project. Once the design is completed, the Town Council will evaluate the design to determine what is best for residents.

ANNUAL STATE OF THE TOWN REPORT

HOLDING THE LINE

This year marked an entire decade since Town leaders raised the property tax rate. The last time residents saw their property tax rate increase was 2009.

The year marked the tenth consecutive year Town Leaders passed an annual budget without an increase in the property tax rate. The Town has been able to balance its books without raising property tax rates every year since 2009.

Meanwhile, The Town Council also voted to hold the line on most user fees. As part of the annual budget process, the Council voted not to raise almost all user fees for residents and businesses. In fact, some fees were lowered. User fees are what people pay in exchange for services such as permits and rental fees.

ANNUAL STATE OF THE TOWN REPORT

BUILDING COMMUNITY

The success of Town community events continued in 2019. The highlight was record-breaking attendance at the Annual BBQ. But all community events enjoyed increasing popularity this year.

Building a sense of community has long been a top Town priority. This year, the 26th Annual BBQ hosted over 1,800 people, making it the best attended event in Town history. The theme of the event was honoring residents who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, or Reserves.

The second year of the Annual Triples Tennis Tournament was a success, as was the second year of the Food Truck Invasions. Other community events this year included: Fishing Camp Coastal Clean up Great American Clean up Fishing Tournament Halloween Party Loop Around the Lake

Holiday Parade Christmas Tree Lighting Holiday Home Contest Annual BBQ Family Movie Nights

ANNUAL STATE OF THE TOWN REPORT

IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS

Improved transparency and a brand new Town website highlighted the Town's successful efforts to enhance its online communications.

TownofLCS.com As part of the Town's commitment to improve resident communications, two new online sites were created this year. First, the Town launched a new main website. The new site is easier to navigate and highlights information and services most searched for by residents. The improved functionality makes it as user-friendly as possible, while a new look provides an opportunity to better show off how beautiful the Town is.

ClearGov.com In addition, a second website now gives residents a real-time window into how public tax dollars are being spent. The site offers information on revenues and expenses, specific expenditures, and more. The site offers several layers of financial information. When you visit the site, spend some time and drill down on the details.

The site offers a large amount of details on how the Town is operating.

ANNUAL STATE OF THE TOWN REPORT

LCS 2019 AT A GLANCE Population: 3,420 Number of Single Family Homes: 1,132 Per Capita Income: $45,711 Median Household Income: $75,694 Amount of money residents have invested in their properties during the year: $5,560,700 Total Taxable Property Values: $273,513,617 (up 6.31% from 2018) Total Taxable CRA Property Values: $28,401,789