TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Jeffrey L. Oris, CEcD, Assistant City Manager
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: September 15, 2025
Title
MOTION TO DESIGNATE CERTAIN CITY-PRODUCED EVENTS AS SERVING A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AMEND THE SPECIAL EVENT POLICY TO REFLECT THE EVENTS DESIGNATED TO SERVE A PUBLIC PURPOSE.
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to designate City-produced special events listed in Section 4.C. of the City's Special Event Policy as serving a Public Benefit and authorizing the City Manager to include language to this effect in the Special Event Policy and for the City Manager to create a proper reporting mechanism(s) for donations to such events in order to adhere to the requirements of Section 2-444 of the Palm Beach County Code of Ethics.
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Background:
The City continues to seek alternative revenues and cost efficiencies for events produced by the City that are designed to provide greater community connection and benefit to the general public. Such events often draw interest and support from local organizations, businesses, and vendors, including those who may already have, or wish to have, a business relationship with the City or whom may be seeking an approval or action by the City that may be beneficial to them. Given this, it would be beneficial to the city and its residents, businesses, and property owners to accept donations to help defray the costs of these special events however, the City and its agents must be mindful to remain in compliance with the Palm Beach County Code of Ethics and to avoid an appearance of impropriety.
Section 2-444 of the Palm Beach County Code of Ethics (attached as Exhibit A) governs the limits of donations to the City and/or its agents as generally items with a value less than $100. The Code does recognize the need for exemption to these limits with Section 2-444(g) which includes the following provision:
(g) Exceptions. For the purposes of ...
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