The Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis could have dealt the state’s cultural groups a crippling blow. Instead, they just wounded them—again.
That crippling blow would have come from a proposal to divert money from the tourist tax—a levy on hotel and motel rooms—that goes to cultural organizations. County commissions would have had to use most of that money for property tax relief. The proposal died.
But the Legislature changed the rules on which groups qualify for state grants. The change follows DeSantis’ veto last year of all grants. DeSantis cast that veto, he said, because applicant in Tampa ran “fringe” programming (they requested a $7,369 grant).
That veto cost the groups $32 million. This year, the grants total just $20.8 million, and all that money may not go out.
Marjorie Waldo and Mary Csar are executive directors, respectively, of Arts Garage in Delray Beach and the Boca Raton Historical Society and museum. They lost $70,000 and $40,000 a year ago. DeSantis was the first governor to veto grants statewide.
Each may get no money this year. Previously, groups that scored at least 80 from a review panel were eligible for money. The minimum score now is 95; Arts Garage and the historical society each got 91.
Groups did not receive comments on how they could improve their score. Csar noted that scores can depend on the subjectivity of each panel. “In this setup,” she said, “large groups tend to do better.” The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, west of Delray Beach, hit that 95 threshold.
Arts Garage was luckier than many after last year’s veto. Waldo said the group held a six-week, emergency fundraising drive and made up all the money, plus a little more. “We never felt a pinch.” Csar was less lucky. The historical society and museum just “made do” with less revenue.
Waldo said another $5 million is available in the budget year that begins July 1 for groups that scored between 85 and 94. But there’s a catch: Applicants must now show that their programming is not “harmful to minors.” That would be a vague description anywhere. That language has Waldo and the Arts Garage board questioning whether to bother applying for a grant in the 2026-27 budget.
Referring to the politically charged issue of diversity, equity and inclusion, Waldo said. “We celebrate DEI.” The board, she said, has been “unanimous.” The group won’t apply, she said, if it means “giving up our freedom” to choose programming.
If it comes to independence or state money, “We will stand.”
Local governments spared in new state budget
Cities and counties have also been watching to see whether Tallahassee would advance the most far-reaching budget proposals that could have harmed local governments.
House Speaker Daniel Perez did not get his priority—a reduction in the state sales tax from 6% to 5.25%. DeSantis did not get his priority of a study on eliminating the property tax. Neither DeSantis nor Perez was concerned about possible effects on cities. Inaction was a win.
Gumbo Limbo turtle rehab center closes
The sea turtle rehabilitation program at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton has closed.
Two years ago, the nonprofit Coastal Stewards took over the program from the city. Though city staff continue to run the resident turtle program and all other activities, Boca Raton wanted out of the rehab business.
Last week’s announcement from the Coastal Stewards cited fundraising difficulties. When I spoke Wednesday with Board Chairman Ata Sarajedini, he declined to say how much the group had come up short. He would say only that contributions had decreased over the last six to eight months as economic uncertainty caused people to be “more conservative.”
Deputy City Manager Chrissy Gibson, who worked with the Coastal Stewards on the transfer, said the 12 turtles in rehab care will be transferred to other facilities. The three resident turtles are under the city’s care and will stay.
Sarajedini said the Stewards will sell or donate the equipment. Once that happens, Gibson said, the city is “open to exploring options with qualified partners” for that rehab space. The city will continue to run the popular visits to turtle nests and the hatchling program. For now, Gumbo Limbo’s gift shop—which the Stewards had operated—is closed.
Despite rumors on social media, everything else at Gumbo Limbo is unchanged.
Delray police contract negotiations fall apart
For a moment, a breakthrough appeared possible in the dispute over Delray Beach’s police contract. Then the city returned to its regular programming—politics.
On Monday, the city scheduled an executive session—public excluded—on the contract for mid-afternoon Tuesday. Did one commissioner want to make a new offer? Tuesday, the meeting was cancelled.
Why?
Monday night, Mayor Tom Carney sent an email criticizing the union’s “unreasonable demands.” He referred to “bloated salaries” and said the union had “stalled” negotiations by declaring an impasse in February. He again laid out his opposition to an extension of the time during which officers can work while in the state-run retirement program.
In addition, postings on social media sites friendly to Commissioner Juli Casale urged resistance to any resolution. Carney and Casale have been the most vocal anti-union voices on the commission. Commissioner Thomas Markert has been less vocal, though he has sided with Carney and Casale during the negotiations. Otherwise, the dispute might be over.
The lack of a contract has become a major political issue. Almost every speaker at recent meetings has urged the commission to approve a new one. It happened again Tuesday.
During commission comments, Casale questioned a resident’s assertion that the city could afford the longer retirement window. Commissioner Rob Long—the most pro-union commissioner—praised former Chief Russ Mager and blamed his retirement last week on “failed support” from the commission. Mager retired just after I reported his May email warning that the lack of a contract was creating dangerous staff shortages as officers have left for jobs with other departments.
With any compromise dead for now, the city and union will await recommendations from the magistrate who heard testimony on May 14. The city does not have to accept them.
Delray commissioners approve settlement for American Legion suit
In contrast to the acrimony over the police contract, commissioners provided a nice moment earlier Tuesday.
They approved a settlement of the lawsuit by the Sherman Williams American Legion post that could lead to the post regaining its standing as what Commissioner Angela Burns called “a place of pride” among Black residents.
Under the settlement, the city will give the property and structure at 196 NW Eighth Ave. to Post 188. The post will have three years to raise enough money to renovate and reopen the building as a community gathering spot. If that doesn’t happen by July 1, 2028, the building and land go back to the city.
Four years ago, the post sued the city, claiming that the city had wrongly evicted it. As I read the case, the city was likely to prevail. Such an outcome, though, would have done nothing to restore what speakers Tuesday said had been a venue in The Set for weddings, baby showers and other family events.
Enter Burns, who worked with the Shared Future Foundation. It is making the post one of its priorities in the neighborhood. One speaker Tuesday read a letter from President Sara Selznick, saying that the foundation has begun a fundraising campaign and has interest from “three other foundations.” In addition, the letter said, “Program planning is well underway.”
Selznick has estimated that it will take $150,000 to make the building safe and $350,000 to reopen it. If the drive is successful, the agreement calls for the post to be open at least five days a week and at least from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Casale cast the only vote against the settlement, objecting to the city paying $5,000 of the post’s legal fees. Burns spoke for the majority when she expressed hope that Delray Beach soon might once again have what has been “a symbol of Black excellence.”
Abruzzo chosen as new PBC administrator
Five years ago, Joe Abruzzo entered the race for Palm Beach County clerk and comptroller one day before the qualifying period ended. The incumbent clerk’s chosen successor—the office’s second in command—had been the only candidate. She then dropped out.
Shannon Chessman did so because Abruzzo, a fellow Democrat, came armed. He had lots of endorsements from political fixers, even though he had no relevant experience within county government structure. Abruzzo had been a state senator and representative.
Now, Abruzzo has the top job in the county. On Tuesday, four of the seven county commissioners chose him to succeed Verdenia Baker as county administrator.
As in 2020, Abruzzo’s name emerged with no notice. Four commissioners were ready in March to anoint him without a search, abandoning the previous practice of promoting from within. As in 2020, according to news reports, Abruzzo had influential help—developers who wanted a freer hand than they believe Baker had given them.
The votes for Abruzzo came from three Democrats—Joel Flores, Maria Sachs and Gregg Weiss—and one Republican—Sara Baxter. Marci Woodward, who represents Boca Raton and Delray Beach, voted for Assistant County Administrator Isami Ayala-Collazo. Abruzzo promised “transparency” moving forward.
