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Edition 569 - 3
The Boca Raton Tribune
COMMUNITY Suits for Seniors, Non-Profit that City of Delray Beach Commission Mentors, Trains At-Risk Youth, Approves Ordinances to Increase Water Rates and Enforce ThreeAnnounces New COO Day Irrigation Schedules
A Lake Worth resident, Barosy holds West Palm Beach, FL – Suits for Seniors, the preeminent leadership develop- degrees from Palm Beach State College, Vament program for at-risk high school se- lencia College and the University of Northniors in Palm Beach County, announced ern Colorado. She is fluent in English, CreWegina “Gina” Barosy as its new chief op- ole and American Sign Language. Barosy erating officer. Since 2020, she had served is also a member of Leadership West Palm Beach, and recently completed the New as the non-profit’s program director. In this new role, Barosy will work along- Leaders Council leadership program. To learn more about Suits for Seniors, side future student leaders, and oversee and implement strategic processes for the non- visit suitsforseniors.org. About Suits for Seniors profit, as well as lead its marketing efforts. Founded in 2015, Suits for Seniors is “Gina is ambitious and detail-orientthe preeminent leaded with experience ership development in management, fiprogram for atnance and educaIn this new role, Barosy risk high school setional programs,” will work alongside niors in Palm Beach said Tae Edmonds, County. Through an Founder and CEO, future student leaders, immersive 8-week Suits for Seniors. education and men“She has added treand oversee and torship program, mendous value and implement strategic students in low-ingrown tremendouscome communities ly since starting with processes for the develop leadership Suits for Seniors; we nonprofit. and interpersonal can’t wait to see how skills; explore colshe continues to lege, career and enbuild the organizatrepreneurship opportunities; learn about tion and support our students.” Barosy added, “I believe global solu- finance, wellness and more, suiting these tions begin at the local level, and that is ex- leaders up for lifelong success. To celeactly what we do at Suits for Seniors. The brate the completion of the program, each mentorship and training we provide in areas young man and woman is awarded a cussuch as financial literacy, life skills and en- tom-tailored suit, and each woman, a strand trepreneurship equips them to charter their of pearls. Thanks to tremendous financial own path, and become leaders along their and volunteer support for our growing nonpath. I am honored to serve as COO for profit, Suits for Seniors boasts more than 1,400 graduates. such an impactful organization.”
Water conservation and strengthening infrastructure are two key focus areas for many cities in South Florida and Delray Beach is making notable progress on both fronts. On June 7, 2022, theDelray Beach City Commission approved Ordinances to increase water and wastewater rates and to enforce three-day irrigation schedules. “Our duty is to have the foresight to plan for the future needs of our community,” said Mayor Shelly Petrolia. “We have made such progress planning for necessary capital improvement projects such as our new water plant. Our water rates have not increased for 13 years, and the rate increases will help fund that project as well as other operational needs, while keeping the average water bill for a Delray Beach homeowner competitive with homeowners in neighboring cities.” The recommendation to increase the water and sewer rates is the result of an independent rate study conducted by Willdan Financial Services, Inc. The study found that the City’s current water and sewer rates would be insufficient to cover routine operations and maintenance expenses of the system, annual debt service, and other capital-related needs. It was also determined that, under the current water and sewer rates, revenue shortfalls would result in the depletion of cash reserves, so much so that cash reserves would be exhausted by 2026. The average Delray Beach homeowner uses 6,000 gallons of water per month and the combined average monthly water and wastewater bill is $57.85 per month compared to
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$81.25 per month, the average monthly bill in surrounding cities. Despite the increases over the next 5 years, the average water bill for a Delray Beach homeowner in 2026 will be $75.66, $5.59 below that of a homeowner in a surrounding city today. To learn more about the City’s water and sewer rates, visit www.delraybeachfl.gov/waterrates. In addition to capital improvements, conserving water is also a focus area for the City. On February 18, 2020, the South Florida Water Management District notified the City of the need to conserve water resources by implementing water conservation measures that would promote efficient water use and decrease water waste. Most lawns in South Florida only need 3/4-inch to 1 inch of water per week to supplement rainfall. “Many households have been voluntarily following the three-day irrigation schedule and now, we are hopeful that many more will follow,” said Hassan Hadjimiry. “Conserving water is a top priority for the District and a top priority for our city.” To avoid fines, Delray Beach residents who use potable water for irrigation, should follow the conservation schedule (odd home addresses water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and even home addresses water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays). Ordinance 11-22 went into effect on June 15, 2022, however there is a 90-day grace period, that ends September 15, 2022, to comply. To view more information about the City’s landscape irrigation Ordinance, visit www.delraybeachfl.gov/irrigation.
June 21 - June 30, 2022
