At the March 14, 2017, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

PACE – approved on preliminary reading and to advertise for public hearing on April 4 establishment of the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Ordinance. PACE programs provide financing for qualified energy efficiency, renewable energy and wind-resistant improvements for both residential and commercial property. PACE financing is repaid as an assessment on the property’s regular tax bill.

Parental leave – directed staff to draft a policy authorizing up to six weeks of paid parental leave for certain eligible non-bargaining county employees for birth, adoption, or the placement of a foster child. Cost of implementation is estimated between $145,000 and $195,000 per year.

Airport hotel – approved a lease agreement with CVH PBIA, LLC for approximately three acres of vacant ground space in the northeast corner of Palm Beach International Airport for a 120-room Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel. The rental rate is $156,816 per year or 3.5 percent of hotel revenues, whichever is greater. Leasing the available vacant property in the northeast corner, including the hotel site, is expected to generate more than $1 million annually.

Equal employment – approved on preliminary reading and to advertise for public hearing on April 4 a new Equal Employment Ordinance to bring it into substantial agreement with federal and state laws governing equal employment. The current county ordinance was last amended in 2007.

Budget – approved a series of budget amendments and transfers in various funds reflecting adjustments for balances brought forward, other revenues, reserves and operating expenses. These are necessary to adjust FY 2017 budgets to reflect the difference between estimated and actual revenues and expenditures from FY 2016.

Homeless aid – approved a budget transfer of approximately $42,000 for emergency shelter services provided to 28 homeless families and individuals in Belle Glade who were displaced as a result of condemnation of their residence in December and January.

3D Medical Manufacturing – approved an economic development incentive agreement with 3D Medical Manufacturing, Inc. in the amount of $89,000. Previously known as Project Cranium, 3D Medical is required to make a minimum $11.9 million capital investment to expand its current operation in Riviera Beach, relocate its regional headquarters, and create 178 new full-time jobs over a five-year period at an annualized average wage of $50,675 and a median wage of $41,695. The company will retain 255 existing jobs. The project’s five-year economic impact is estimated at $342.2 million.

Project Orchid – conceptually approved an economic development cash grant of $70,000 to be matched by the city of Boca Raton for Project Orchid. The company is considering maintaining its Boca Raton-based corporate headquarters and expanding its operations. The project will invest $6.1 million to lease, renovate and equip a 39,000-square-foot facility and create 100 new jobs over a two-year period and at annual average wage of $100,000 and a median wage of $90,000. The company will retain 92 existing jobs.

Inspector General – approved refunds to local municipalities totaling $223,588 following a final court ruling that the county could not collect payments for implementing the Office of Inspector General program.