Stet NewsGood morning, Stetters! And welcome to King Tide Season. Peak high tides are expected with this weekend’s full moon. For you today, tracking Tri-Rail, Gardens mobility fee setback, nonprofits get county money, keeping neighbors connected in Riviera Beach and discovering Greenacre’s “foodie” allure.
🪞 Tri-Rail’s existential crisis
The state has been pressing Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties to pay more for the Tri-Rail commuter train service for decades.
Yes, but: In June, legislators cut off most of the money to operate the South Florida railroad tracks in those three counties even though the state owns the tracks. The state is urging the counties to figure out how to make up the difference.
Why it matters: As South Florida becomes even more crowded, Tri-Rail offers an alternative to congestion on Interstate 95 and other roads. If Tri-Rail folds, taxpayers would pay the price, either by building more roads or enduring longer travel times.
- Tri-Rail provided a record 4.57 million rides from July 2024 through June 2025.
- Fares account for $15 million of the agency’s overall $150 million budget, which includes capital costs.
Catch up quick: The agency set up in the 1980s by the state to run the railroad, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, says that without the state’s statutory minimum payment of $42.1 million, it will fold in July 2027.
The state offered just $15 million this year and urged the counties to shoulder a bigger burden. The three counties each contribute $4.2 million a year.
The state’s approach is meeting resistance.
What they’re saying: The counties don’t own the rail line so they shouldn’t foot the $49 million annual bill to run it, said SFRTA Chairperson and Palm Beach County Commissioner Marci Woodward. “This is equivalent to them saying, ‘We run a bus on I-95 so, well, now you have to pay for the maintenance of I-95,’” she said.
Zoom out: The state bought the rail line from CSX in 1988 and paid to add a second set of tracks, committing to keep the rails open not just to Tri-Rail but to CSX freight and Amtrak passenger trains. The state also owns most of the 19 Tri-Rail stations and limits SFRTA revenue-producing options, such as concession stands.
Zoom in: Cutting costs won’t make up such a large revenue loss, SFRTA Executive Director David Dech said. For instance, eliminating all of Tri-Rail’s administrative staff would buy the rail line only an additional six weeks of life, he said.
Of note: Tri-Rail is required to operate 50 trains a day as a condition of federal grants.
What’s next: Woodward expects it will come down to the next legislative session, which starts in January. State House Speaker Daniel Lopez, a Miami Republican, is expected to take up Tri-Rail’s cause.
Read more of what’s behind the Tri-Rail crisis and how local officials are responding at StetNews.org.
— Joel Engelhardt
🌳 Paying for growth
For years, Palm Beach Gardens has stood alone among cities trying to redefine county rules for collecting and spending money from developers to pay for roads.
Yes, but: Court rulings have backed Palm Beach County’s long-standing approach since the county sued the city in 2021.
The most recent setback for Palm Beach Gardens: A judge threw out a 2023 challenge that the city had used to justify its refusal to pay the county $3.1 million in developer fees the city collected but didn’t share with the county.
Why it matters: How cities keep up with growth and who decides what projects get built, and where, are at the heart of the long-running lawsuit.
Catch up quick: The city argued it didn’t have to pay the fees and filed a motion for clarification of the court’s 2022 temporary injunction in August 2023. Two years later, the city got its answer.
“This Court accepted at face value City’s claim that it sought clarification rather than rehearing of the trial court’s order that had been affirmed on appeal,” Palm Beach County Circuit Judge James Sherman wrote in a two-page order denying the city’s motion.
“At the hearing, however, it became apparent that City is not, in fact seeking clarification of the trial court’s order, but instead seeks reconsideration of the order on bases already raised at the time of the injunction hearing (in 2022).”
Of note: The judge did not address whether the city has to immediately pay the county.
Read more: See what the city and county argued in a two-hour Aug. 11 hearing at StetNews.org.
— Joel Engelhardt
👍🏼 Money for nonprofits survives
After throwing a scare into nonprofit leaders and their clients, Palm Beach County commissioners last week unanimously agreed to spend $3.1 million next year to support programs for children and teens.
Commissioner Sara Baxter, who spurred the discussion by suggesting money was being squandered, joined her colleagues in supporting the full amount recommended by staff. But she didn’t change her mind.
Why it’s important: Some 33 programs, offering mental health, mentoring, family counseling and after-school services, were in jeopardy. Since the contracts are for three years, $9 million was at stake.
- Commissioners also agreed to give $8.9 million to nonprofits that offer mental health, housing and substance abuse programs. Those grants are monitored by the Community Services Department.
Zoom in: Baxter raised the specter of the ongoing audit of county spending by the state’s DOGE team. She continued to insist the tax-funded Children’s Services Council should take over the programs.
What they’re saying: “We shouldn’t be, in my opinion, in the children’s business,” Baxter said. Over time, she said, the programs should be shifted to the CSC, which collects roughly $160 million in property taxes annually. She serves on the CSC board.
Zoom out: After the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre, commissioners and community leaders agreed struggling teens were overlooked. The CSC primarily focuses on children 5 and under. The county created the Youth Services Department to address the needs of older kids. It monitors the grants, trains workers and offers programs of its own.
What others said:
- Commissioner Joel Flores said the Boys and Girls Clubs saved his life, giving him a safe place to go after school. “Some of my friends were slinging drugs. Some of my friends are no longer here,” he said. “All we’re doing is making a very small investment to help kids.”
- Commissioner Bobby Powell quoted the lyrics of a 1984 hit song by Whitney Houston: “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.”
- Commissioner Marci Woodward said more robust tracking is needed to ensure all children are reached. “The only way we know if we missed them is if we have a tragedy,” she said.
Share this story at StetNews.org.
— Jane Musgrave
🆕 Empowering neighbors in Riviera Beach
Riviera Beach Council Member Fercella Davis Panier unveiled two initiatives last week designed to build trust in government and spotlight young people.
Why it matters: They come at a critical time. City leaders are managing a long-awaited construction boom that risks displacing residents, increasing the cost of living and eroding Riviera Beach’s Black culture.
Context: Panier was elected this year without opposition after a lawsuit disqualified potential opponents. She said at an Aug. 25 meeting at the Marina Village event center that she wants to give people a chance to have their grievances heard in advance of council votes, rather than after decisions are made.
The initiatives are:
The Neighborhood Navigator Program will recruit neighborhood representatives to act as advocates for their homeowners associations or more informal groups.
- “It’s about connecting the council with the community and the residents with the resources,” Panier said.
- The group will meet monthly to discuss issues on the agenda for Riviera Beach City Council meetings.
- To register for the Neighborhood Navigators Program, go here.
Emerging Leaders Spotlight Series, which will recognize community members ages 6 to 25.
- Qualities beyond academic and athletic achievement – such as kindness and determination that reflect an individual’s character – are the focus.
- Nominees must live in Riviera Beach, attend school in Riviera Beach or have a parent or guardian who resides in the city.
- To nominate someone for the Emerging Leaders Spotlight Series, go here.
The bottom line: “We want to shape a new narrative around the youth of our city,” said Panier’s aide, Shandra Stringer.
Read more about Panier’s efforts to help residents feel a part of a rapidly changing city at StetNews.org.
– Janis Fontaine
🍊 The Juice
👩🏻💻 A confidential company eyeing incentives to bring its headquarters to downtown West Palm Beach is likely the California-based Fortune 500 software company ServiceNow. City commissioners will decide on Sept. 2 to provide up to $2 million in grants. The state has committed $15 million. The location is the office towers under construction in CityPlace. The as-yet-unidentified company would bring 850 jobs with an average salary of $170,000. (The Palm Beach Post $$$)
🐟 An environmental group has filed a legal challenge to the Southland Water Resource Project, a proposed limestone rock mine and water storage reservoir in Palm Beach County, saying it will threaten the Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. The Everglades Law Center filed the challenge on behalf of the Tropical Audubon Society and South Florida residents Jose Barros and Brian Rapoza. (Treasure Coast Newspapers $$$)
🚗 The proposed 11-story Palm Beach Atlantic University parking garage that drew protests from West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James and led to the resignation of Planning Director Rick Greene has come back at nine stories with the blessing of the mayor, who originally asked PBAU to cut it to seven stories. The garage goes with a proposed 25-story dormitory for nearly 1,000 students. (The Palm Beach Post $$$)
🚪 McCray’s Bar and Grill lasted just six weeks in Lake Worth Beach, closing at 604 Lake Ave. because of licensing and code violations and cash-flow problems. (Lake Worth Beach Independent $$$)
🍎 Whole Foods will open its second northern Palm Beach County location at The Shoppes at Jupiter at Indiantown Road and U.S. 1, taking the place of the Beall’s outlet store. (The Palm Beach Post $$$)
A “milestone” ruling after a yearlong wait delivered a victory to individuals suing Saudi Arabia for billions over its role in the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Senior U.S. District Court Judge George Daniels in New York refused to throw out the lawsuit, ruling that Saudi Arabia failed to meet its “ultimate burden of persuasion.” (Florida Bulldog)
📰 The loss of local news is linked with increased government secrecy, according to a new study conducted by the Brechner Center for the Advancement of the First Amendment at the University of Florida. (Northwestern University Local News Initiative)
🚀“Top of Mind Florida,” the podcast by Michael Williams and Brian Crowley, meets with Florida rocket engineer Nicole Cummings, who is helping to lead the Artemis mission to the moon. (Listen here, watch here after 4 pm Wednesday.)
561NSIDER: 🍜 Greenacres’ niche ‘foodie’ destination
Greenacres leaders want you to know it has more than 120 restaurants that are eager to serve you.
Why it matters: The city in central Palm Beach County is leading a promotion called “Dine Local. Savor Greenacres.” The goal is to lure new diners — residents, visitors and tourists — and position Greenacres as a foodie destination.
What they’re saying: “When we realized that we had such major diversity, so many different countries represented, we were really excited about it,” said Andrea McCue, the city manager. “What a great opportunity for us to showcase them. When people see ‘restaurant’ in a plaza or a strip center, sometimes they don’t realize what’s behind the door.”
How it works: The promotion features a Facebook post on the city’s website with photos and videos. The focus is on family-owned and operated restaurants, but city eateries of all types and sizes (except national chains) are welcome.
Here are the first two featured restaurants:
MORI Asian Cuisine
Brothers Michael and Ken Zhad held the grand opening of MORI in January after remodeling the former Peking Tokyo at 6806 Forest Hill Blvd.
Blending traditional Chinese, Japanese and Thai with modern flavors, MORI serves specialties like Peking duck, sizzling beef and mapo tofu alongside sushi featuring their special MORI roll.
MORI’s offers several lunch specials with sushi, curry and soup from 11:30 am to 3 pm Monday-Friday.
Curry Tabanca
Brenda Bernardo has owned Curry Tabancaat 4657 Lake Worth Road for 10 years, using the culinary skills she learned from her mother, who ran a restaurant in Trinidad.
“Everything is made fresh, by hand, every day,” Bernardo said.
Always popular are the doubles — chickpeas in a thin fried dough that takes just seconds in the oil. You’ll find it on the table for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and it’s a vegan snack.
Lunch specials ($9) are served Tuesday-Saturday and feature favorites like stew chicken, crab and dumplings and Trini Chinese fried rice.
The bottom line: “Let’s bring to light the diverse range of food so close,” McCue said. “Don’t drive by; stop and pick up something on the way home.”
Keep reading to learn more about Greenacres’ restaurant promotion at StetNews.org.
– Janis Fontaine
