Stet NewsHello, Stetters! We’re coming in hot with a June rewind before the crush of the holiday weekend. 🇺🇸 Plus, a quick note about how you have helped us grow.
🎄 Early Christmas in Lake Park
When preliminary property tax values came out, it was Christmas in May for Lake Park.
The cash-strapped town of about 9,000 had been counting on a big budget boost from the 24-story, 330-unit Nautilus 220 waterfront condos that were completed in December, just in time to make the 2026 tax rolls.
Why it matters: For evidence of the impact high-rise residential towers can have on a city budget, look no further than Lake Park.The preliminary estimates put the Nautilus building’s value at $400.9 million. At this year’s tax rate, that would add $2 million to town tax collections next year, nearly a 50% boost over the $4.2 million in collections this year.
— Joel Engelhardt
💵 Public pays twice
While Palm Beach County taxpayers are spending at least $211,000 a month for sheriff’s deputies to provide security and ferry county commissioners to meetings and other events, the elected officials are still pocketing taxpayer-funded subsidies for their personal cars.
Why it matters: All but Commissioner Marci Woodward and Mayor Sara Baxter cash in on the stipend that adds $6,600 to their roughly $114,000 annual salaries. Instead of the stipend, Baxter gets a car. Woodward accepts neither the car nor the stipend.
The sheriff’s office declined to release any detailed financial information about the security detail that is to cost taxpayers $3.3 million this year. By April 30, the office had billed the county $1.55 million, it said.
– Jane Musgrave
🚁 Mayor’s ‘sightseeing’ on PBSO chopper
A sheriff’s office sergeant has been disciplined for forcing agency helicopter pilots to provide what was deemed a late-night “sightseeing tour” for Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter in January, a sheriff’s report shows.
Sgt. Bert Gaudreau, who is involved with providing security for Baxter, also was investigated for ordering an agent to drive Baxter to the national collegiate football championship at the Hard Rock Stadium three days after the unauthorized helicopter ride.
But Baxter said she was meeting with “other dignitaries” at the game in Miami Gardens for “undisclosed official business,” and the sergeant was cleared of wrongdoing.
– Jane Musgrave
🍽️ Miami group picked for Currie Park
The Miami-based Breakwater Hospitality Group, developers of waterfront restaurants and event spaces in Fort Lauderdale and Miami, has been selected to build an $18.7 million waterfront restaurant in West Palm Beach’s Currie Park.
Breakwater is calling its 378-seat restaurant Sea Salt Beach House. It also would provide outdoor seating and a second-floor event ballroom with 328 seats.
Why it matters: Currie Park, long a haven for the homeless about 1.5 miles north of downtown, is undergoing a $37 million renovation. The city sought operators to build and run a restaurant and pay rent to the city.
– Joel Engelhardt
🌱 Pawpaw prevails over FPL’s plan to pave preserve
Juno Beach-based FPL is so desperate for more employee parking that it asked the town for permission to pave over part of a small nature preserve at its headquarters to build a 200-space parking lot.
Why it matters: Members of a town board turned down the request this month, but FPL’s presentation offers insight into the utility’s operation and how its parking solution was complicated by one of the rarest shrubs in the United States.
Catch up quick: FPL shares its Juno Beach campus with parent and corporate giant NextEra Energy. The 58-acre property on U.S. 1 and Universe Boulevard is filled with coastal native plants and bound by a town agreement to preserve them.
– Carolyn DiPaolo
🏆 Other top stories in June
Neighbors grill Singer Island Gateway developers
Riviera Beach suspends beach parking tickets
Dueling owners go to court over Project Tango
Neighbors worry about Related’s convention center hotel plan
📈 Stet behind the scenes: See how we grow!
Halfway through this newsy year, we are delighted to report that your Stet News set a record in June for most digital traffic to our website since our launch in February 2023.
We are seeing growth by every measure. For example, our year-to-date website traffic is up nearly 40% over this time in 2025.
This would not be possible without your readership, your sharing of our work and your financial support.
So please have fun this weekend celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.
We’ll be back Tuesday to kick off the second half of 2026 with more news you won’t find anywhere else.
It wouldn’t be the same without you.
