During last Tuesday’s Delray Beach City Commission, a verbal fight broke out. That’s almost normal in Delray, but this one was intense even by Delray Beach standards.
The flashpoint was Mayor Tom Carney’s questioning of Downtown Development Authority spending. In June, Carney became the first mayor to start attending DDA board meetings as a non-voting member. He has made his presence felt.
On July 18, Carney emailed DDA Executive Director Laura Simon to ask for “a breakdown” of all the agency’s financial statements. The DDA levies a tax of $1 per $1,000 of assessed value on properties within the agency’s boundaries. The DDA’s role is to market downtown Delray Beach.
In addition, Carney wanted to know where all the agency’s grants had gone. He wanted “specific revenues” generated by “specific events.” He wanted a breakdown of all agency salaries and job descriptions. He wanted “a complete financial statement, sources and uses of funds, etc.”
On July 28, Simon responded that she would present “a full overview and history of DDA programs with financials” at the board’s Aug. 18 meeting. She offered to “set up a time to meet” before the meeting.
Carney replied that day that he wanted to meet “much sooner.” He said he would file a public records request for the information. Given the “deficient reporting,” Carney wrote, “it is only natural for one to question the spending of the DDA. Whether or not such suspicion is warranted, the sheer lack of information is sufficient to initiate an inquiry into this matter.”
Three hours later, Carney said, DDA Board Chairman Al Costilo accused him of violating the Sunshine Law. (It is not a violation to ask for records.) On the agenda for that Aug. 18 DDA board meeting appeared a proposal to change the bylaws and prevent the mayor from attending meetings.
The fire thus was set for the next day’s commission meeting. DDA staff and supporters were in the audience. Simon was scheduled to make a presentation on the DDA budget and “Old School Square activities.” Under a contract with the city, the DDA manages part of the cultural complex. That money—$800,000 this year, $700,000 next year—is separate from the DDA’s operating budget of roughly $2 million.
Carney used the moment to accuse the DDA of “overspending.” He asked why the budget had increased 100% in five years. He asked why administrative costs amount to 68% of the budget. He asked why so many spending items had no receipts.
Commissioner Juli Casale interrupted. “You’re making serious accusations,” she told Carney. “What is it you’re trying to accomplish?” Carney said he wanted the city’s internal auditor to review the Old School Square money, implying that the city wasn’t getting enough return on its investment.
“If you went to the events,” Commissioner Thomas Markert said, “they’re jammed.” When Carney claimed that his actions aren’t personal, Markert countered, “It is personal.” Of the Old School Square money, Markert said, “It’s the best million dollars (sic) we’ve ever spent.”
Casale complained that Carney was “hoarding information. You’re dropping little crumbs that are very suggestive.” Of the Old School Square complaint, Simon said the DDA “would be happy to give the keys back.” Markert accused Carney of “making up facts.” Casale said Carney was seeking a commission “consensus” that he did not have. Commissioners Angela Burns and Rob Long mostly laid low.
City Manager Terrence Moore finally intervened to suggest that the city take up that auditor’s review. “Let’s bring it on,” Simon said. “It’s been lovely,” she said as things broke up.
When Carney and I spoke Wednesday, he said, “I’m not making any judgments. I haven’t seen any misfeasance or malfeasance. This is all about transparency and accountability.”
Carney argued last year for a no-new-taxes city budget. He tried again this year and failed to get it. He clearly would like the DDA to reduce its tax rate. He claimed that the DDA’s status as a “dependent agency” gives the commission a role.
In a comment that some might find ironic, Carney said the DDA “has become far more political than it needs to be.” He said Simon should not lobby commissioners on whom they appoint to the board. “Those are her bosses.”
Carney clearly is not done. Apparently, neither is the DDA board. Next month, they will discuss the change that would prevent Carney from coming to the meetings.
I asked a DDA representative for an interview with Simon. The representative asked if I would send questions via email. I declined and asked again for an interview. I heard nothing back by deadline for this post.
New DDA board member has a record that includes fraud
The DDA’s newest board member pleaded guilty 13 years ago to tax and wire fraud.
According to court documents, Anthony Barber served six years in prison and paid $31,000 in restitution. He had filed false returns while working for a tax preparer. His plea agreement covered 14 counts.
This year, ruling in a custody dispute between Barber and the mother of his son, Palm Beach Circuit Court Judge Luis Delgado said of Barber, “[He] is a disingenuous person who is not truthful in any way about his income or his business interests.” Delgado called him “arrogant and abrasive.” In ruling partially for Barber and partially for the mother, though, Delgado acknowledged that Barber “is not a bad father.”
But do that record and Delgado’s comments make Barber a poor steward of public money? Commissioner Burns nominated Barber, who works at Grooves Kitchen & Daiquiris on West Atlantic Avenue. Her colleagues all confirmed him.
In a statement, Burns said, “For many years, Delray Beach has been striving to realize the full potential of West Atlantic, and Anthony’s success demonstrates what thoughtful investment and authentic cultural expression can accomplish. His presence on the DDA board not only ensures that the voices and experiences of West Atlantic are represented but also helps bring much needed diversity to the board’s perspective.”
He did not return a voicemail seeking comment.
FAU president invests $8 million to get university off state watchlist
Florida Atlantic University President Adam Hasner has directed $8 million toward getting FAU off the Board of Governors (BOG) “watchlist.”
As I reported last month, FAU received the second-lowest score for the 2024-2025 year among Florida’s 12 public universities across 10 categories that make up the BOG’s “performance-based metrics.” If the cumulative score drops again, FAU will have to present a “student success plan” and undergo more BOG scrutiny.
After the report, Hasner met with the academic team and made what a spokesman called “the largest single investment in student success programs in FAU’s history. This focused, recurring investment is targeted in academic planning, advising, coaching and other activities that will help ensure our students are intensely supported during their academic journey.”
Three metrics contributed most to FAU’s poor score: getting first-year students to their sophomore year with a grade point average of at least 2.0; graduating in three years students who had come with an associate’s degree; and graduating within six years students who had received a federal Pell Grant in their first year. Those grants go to students who have “exceptional financial need.”
In addition to the money, the spokesman said, “programmatic adjustments should guide improvement on the state metrics in question.” He noted that this month FAU welcomed “our most academically competitive incoming class in university history.” The average GPA is 4.0 compared to 3.94 last year. The average ACT score is 25, compared to 24 last year.
FAU athletics facing new challenges
Another challenge for FAU will be finding the university’s place in the reshaped world of college sports.
Four years ago, FAU opened the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence. It marked the culmination of former President John Kelly’s effort to link the university’s future with sports. Kelly and others envisioned the facility as a key recruiting tool.
Today, however, athletes can get compensation for use of their name, image and likeness (NIL.) Starting this year, colleges must share revenue with athletes. The minimum for the American Athletic Conference, to which FAU belongs, is $10 million for the first year. Schools can apportion the money among sports as they wish.
Most analysts have concluded that the new system will most benefit the richest schools in the most powerful conferences, notably the Big 10 and the Southeastern. How does FAU plan to raise all that money and compete?
For weeks, I have tried to speak with Athletic Director Brian White about this new climate. No response yet.
Drucker to run for PBC clerk and comptroller
Boca Raton City Councilwoman Yvette Drucker has withdrawn from her Florida Senate race next year to run for Palm Beach County clerk and comptroller.
Drucker faced an opponent in the Democratic primary. She is the only announced candidate for clerk. This month, Gov. Ron DeSantis named former Florida House member Mike Caruso, a Republican, to the job, replacing Joe Abruzzo. He became county administrator in June. Drucker’s council term runs out in March 2027, so she will have to resign to run for clerk.
Grand theft charges refiled against Delray Beach police officer
The Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office has refiled grand theft charges against a Delray Beach police officer.
Matthew Cusson was accused in April of taking $1,500 from the department’s vice and narcotics cash fund. According to the probable cause affidavit, as the evidence mounted and investigators confronted Cusson, he said, “I’ll lawyer up and resign, since people seem to be pointing fingers.”
At Cusson’s May hearing, though, prosecutors declined to file charges. They now have done so. His arraignment is Sept. 9. Cusson is on leave without pay.
Petitions delivered against Boca’s downtown development project
During Tuesday’s meeting, Save Boca organizers presented Boca Raton City Council members with what they said are 5,200 signatures on a petition that could block the downtown redevelopment project.
The petitioners seek a referendum on the March ballot that would prevent the sale or lease of more than a half-acre of public land. The proposal from Terra Development and Frisbie Group would redevelop the 30 acres around City Hall.
Dozens of residents spoke against the project. The meeting was long and sometimes confrontational. I’ll have a full report next week.
