[{"_1":2,"_114":-5,"_115":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,84,94,104],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6786947,"mediaKeyId","5551685-8d516027926cd1b7e0c48b8d0087bfdd","parentId",5551685,"title","Riviera Beach receives clean audit for fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2024, auditors report no findings","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2917895,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5551685-8d516027926cd1b7e0c48b8d0087bfdd&start=2917&end=2917","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5551685-8d516027926cd1b7e0c48b8d0087bfdd/thumbnail_2917895.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6786947/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Riviera-Beach-receives-clean-audit-for-fiscal-year-ended-Sept-30-2024-auditors-report-no-findings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6786947-35d074b277b545f55987a03c4f22c6a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163250&Signature=jL~oMfRHDAcuwDvcXyP~kgiGMWRVHgmITj6InABoxcnyxxb53InylLKqgY9KXhwQifyqtYPwjObWI9BIh5jSLjO1If4MniKelQTIUeuqihpEmYXNhUoeDZQFle98kkZe9EupyPwODc4-Y~tsGcJqBOqZGi6JmXgcfpnGdfoJR8xjwGwTuhZcKoWMeGhYC~LryugG58q8BcERq1pALnVhcp3JnApJVWjhgwLhv8ix2~yPAkWzE8RUhg9A3hfwZe-fAemhlCqkEHvyqbiNhkF3s09ZfxiR1v3cicdbI5QM3XbSCQjMqR8B8uhINhiza5R56U2UMiNFH7KjYUefVaStrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Riviera Beach","date","2025-08-07T06:19:24.683Z","article","HCT audit partner Roderick Harvey told the Riviera Beach City Council on Aug. 6 that the independent audit of the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2024, resulted in a clean opinion dated June 27, 2025. Harvey said auditors found no uncorrected or corrected misstatements, no control deficiencies, and no related‑party issues to report.

Harvey summarized key numbers reported in the audited financial statements: revenues of approximately $164 million for the year, capital assets of roughly $312 million (up from $282 million), and total assets increasing principally because of infrastructure additions. He also noted long‑term debt balances were confirmed with counterparties.

Auditors referenced the implementation of GASB 84, 88 and 90 during the fiscal year and said those pronouncements were disclosed as required. Harvey recommended the council review the supplemental slides and audit responsibilities materials staff provided and invited questions; no matters were raised by council members.

What’s next: The audit was accepted by the council and staff will distribute the full report and supplemental materials to the council packet as the formal record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting August 6th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Audit partner Roderick Harvey of HCT reported a clean audit opinion for fiscal year 2023–24 with no significant findings, no material weaknesses, and increases in capital assets and total assets; auditors noted implementation of recent GASB pronouncements.","taxTitle","Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",68132,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":77,"_46":78,"_48":79,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6786952,"Monroe Heights residents urge Riviera Beach to halt encroachment, staff says plats show easement intact",6772875,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5551685-8d516027926cd1b7e0c48b8d0087bfdd&start=6772&end=6772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5551685-8d516027926cd1b7e0c48b8d0087bfdd/thumbnail_6772875.jpg","/articles/6786952/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Monroe-Heights-residents-urge-Riviera-Beach-to-halt-encroachment-staff-says-plats-show-easement-intact","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6786952-4ab319758d18ebff1ea0d2a826523cc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163250&Signature=b6ygYdvbXr2TJQIty9ngMCxsdPx1aRS~gVjMOGgBvBdSm~WYvtIeXTwBSyfgzr3F21nK6ZFk5CrsX4RokzkN1D~J33HPqYdK4ib9eZ2toHcZ5aOlFf5CuT11fPQFqq8BZ477fiueoVsGiliu4fxdr7oQgg7t4jKohPOkwhDHm9mE1QZCcUIGwBNQuB8dqCRV9cDCfNEkptwxgtcx3T95spvnJgPFCwQurbRFWL2tw83kPhejkiem34iLrZbwM31reRWogb4LOEvcATXrjXN80SuXPzrNvsYxrQv1co4ODMQhVFsXzZAKuDGywbQilicazoyPxLb9oK248La11p8y-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents told the Riviera Beach City Council on Aug. 6 that recent development activity in Monroe Heights removed a canal used for neighborhood drainage, redefined easement areas, and placed construction and a privacy wall too close to backyards. Speakers described compromised flood mitigation and alleged the city had allowed a developer to acquire or reconfigure public easement land in ways that harm homeowners.

\"Private homeowners are being stripped of their property under the guise of a public utility easement,\" resident Lynn Hubbard said, asking the council to intervene and reverse approvals or require developer remediation.

Clarence Sermons, director of development services, told the council staff conducted multiple site visits and an exhaustive review of historic plats and replats filed in the county courthouse. He said those legal plats showed no exchanges of property from residents to the developer or to the city; the five‑foot utility easement at the rear of the properties remains, he said, and the developer’s work is consistent with the approved site plan.

Sermons said staff met with residents more than once, met with the developer, and prepared a report of findings. He acknowledged residents’ concerns about wall placement and buffer distances and said staff would continue inspecting the project and would provide the approved site plan and related documentation to residents on request.

Council members urged staff to request title reports from homeowners and to pursue negotiation with the developer about additional buffering, landscaping, or moving the privacy wall, noting that small design changes can reduce impacts. City manager Jonathan Evans said staff would meet again with the developer, with legal counsel available, to explore amicable adjustments and will report back to the board.

What’s next: Staff will distribute the approved site plan and site documentation to residents, continue monitoring construction for code compliance, and pursue discussions with the developer about additional landscaping and buffer options. Council requested title documentation from homeowners and staff follow up.","Residents from Monroe Heights told council that a developer removed a canal, altered easements, and used substandard materials; city staff said plats and site plans show the 5‑foot utility easement remains with homeowners and that staff found no code violations but will continue enforcement and facilitation.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":42,"_43":87,"_45":87,"_46":88,"_48":89,"_50":90,"_52":91,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":92,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":93,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6786956,"Riviera Beach council debates city manager’s use of severance agreements, motion to require notice dies",3899610,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5551685-8d516027926cd1b7e0c48b8d0087bfdd&start=3899&end=3899","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5551685-8d516027926cd1b7e0c48b8d0087bfdd/thumbnail_3899610.jpg","/articles/6786956/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Riviera-Beach-council-debates-city-managers-use-of-severance-agreements-motion-to-require-notice-dies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6786956-942778bb9e1f5d9b300f830d921762c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163250&Signature=A9adKVu76egX8PWUACwGloOQ8zUxAOxt9kyJo06JShc2T1Zytu3hTBCa6llutS0SCSdh7v09WxDo01o9BdtO25Ce967b2iOY97ATRz4PBOsMsinpOahGH5YBHls8Oz8wybvZjjcGLMx-YN9gM0LXYFoIk65gaVp6aK22CyB6HxCEmQUYhIn5nG-pIrxSRmts8v7nq8FzMNGTc79mVtTgT0RJnJzaUZ5dlbxqAyPFZC4fck6b8iGTIrPoJIGtIhiTF01v1O4h2pGqTVaZ-wiZ8Z~XcM0nGlHNqpJvynCf7jyPGZocltcCTFFOs-TrgKXXBRzt60EClyWOdM8jd5rPzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmember Bruce Guyton raised concerns on Aug. 6 about five separation agreements the city manager had signed without prior notice to the Riviera Beach City Council, saying the use of public funds and the lack of advance disclosure risked exposing the city.

Guyton said he learned of the packages by “happenstance” and that, with 30 years in government, he did not recall separations handled in that manner. He apologized for his behavior at an earlier meeting, but said his concern about process remained: “Anything that's dealing with public funds, sunshine. It need to be in the sunshine,” he said.

City Manager Jonathan Evans said such separations are typically negotiated for managerial‑rank positions and are handled on a case‑by‑case basis in consultation with human resources and outside labor counsel. Evans said separation agreements often include a general release and that, in many cases, employees are given time to consult counsel before signing.

City Attorney Don Wynn said the charter requires justifiable cause for certain director‑level terminations and explained that whether a signed waiver would bar later litigation depends on the facts; if a court later found the underlying termination lacked justifiable cause, a waiver could be voided.

Guyton moved that the city manager advise the council of severance agreements; after discussion he tried to broaden the motion to require council approval of all severances, but the motion ultimately died for lack of a second. Several council members asked staff to draft a uniform policy, including written offer or employment letters for department directors that would specify severance or separation terms up front.

Evans and HR staff supported creating standard offer letters or contract language to clarify entitlements for executive‑level positions and to protect both the city and employees. Evans said staff would research best practices and bring proposed policy and template employment letters back to the council for consideration.

What’s next: Council directed staff to research and return with recommended employment letters and a codified severance policy for executive staff. No retroactive action on the existing signed agreements was taken at the meeting.","Councilmember Bruce Guyton pressed for transparency after staff distributed five separation agreements without prior council review; a motion to require the city manager to advise council on all severance agreements failed for lack of a second. Staff agreed to draft employment letters and a severance policy for directors.",{"_33":95,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":96,"_41":42,"_43":97,"_45":97,"_46":98,"_48":99,"_50":100,"_52":101,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":102,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":103,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6786938,"Riviera Beach council renews employee health plan with Cigna after negotiated increase",9980690,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5551685-8d516027926cd1b7e0c48b8d0087bfdd&start=9980&end=9980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5551685-8d516027926cd1b7e0c48b8d0087bfdd/thumbnail_9980690.jpg","/articles/6786938/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Riviera-Beach-council-renews-employee-health-plan-with-Cigna-after-negotiated-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6786938-fe48917f81bb46c024374c2aeca27796/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163250&Signature=bs~Pg-rDG5BwANTCnRKneb5KlZByfAZaNECrDMhI7essTOs~UvcE3iVFDBquXCtfF6G8mmPtdzzJEi60lK6zSGKC1uzaKf7RTnvw8DAACfyt-QW81Ri4EwVRanZY~rC69XdvcMxTS-jOYGvMhAr6jtSGZXsPnYpDWFhzY-1rnF2GYyKuOoZRUytC7ehU4POH423hYaxjARzpfu~fKrE1h4Ninns8oZItlUCFy6fHJbNzjG9x2YjbC0~JxYLH5y0WpJuPwrlaGNOxzVPELfaqtQ6J8s0dR9Xl7LfmUC4ABYexRCXhcmrzmeVi41o7OUJ02tYZvvDMnfga66rBhHHLkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riviera Beach City Council voted unanimously Aug. 6 to authorize renewal of the city's employee health coverage with Cigna Healthcare of Florida. Tenille DeCasi, director of human resources, and senior HR manager Steve Gould presented the recommendation.

Gould said the city’s total cost for health benefits for fiscal year 2024–25 was about $7.58 million. Cigna initially proposed a 13% increase; HR negotiated the increase down to 4.9, producing a new estimated total cost of approximately $8.96 million. Other carriers (Aetna quoted roughly $10.8 million; Florida Blue declined to quote; United Health did not respond) were considered but produced higher proposals.

Gould said plan design remains unchanged, and Cigna increased wellness dollars from $50,000 to $75,000. Open enrollment is scheduled Aug. 18–Sept. 8. Council members voted yes and the renewal was approved without further amendment.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with renewal documentation and open enrollment for employees; wellness funds will be applied to planned initiatives.","Council unanimously approved renewal with Cigna Healthcare of Florida. HR reported a negotiated 4.9% premium increase to a total cost of about $8.96 million for FY2024–25, after soliciting other carriers; plan design remains unchanged.",{"_33":105,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":106,"_41":42,"_43":107,"_45":107,"_46":108,"_48":109,"_50":110,"_52":111,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":112,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":113,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6786942,"Riviera Beach staff unveil Art in Public Places master plan; ordinance to follow",10246556,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5551685-8d516027926cd1b7e0c48b8d0087bfdd&start=10246&end=10246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5551685-8d516027926cd1b7e0c48b8d0087bfdd/thumbnail_10246556.jpg","/articles/6786942/Riviera-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Riviera-Beach-staff-unveil-Art-in-Public-Places-master-plan-ordinance-to-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6786942-7823a16546bd711672e07da56b2ed179/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163250&Signature=edK~zFhmi~CjCesHTbWRUZHvlwbQMkG-gyLdx3UjXbS1SLBoXVJiHl8Yft7twgc21cPlvAGGp6UukJVM-Xz3Pmag7NEsUInXazwunHfzVA79gLYFpT-W1PhwmGf7Ik7DPFWXejlsU9svyh428JCPitVJBRnbRGcAl0YaJpbPFC1A7zG529tKz-WqOvlDwWzijzX632NzNg6Rt7RGOKcdc04ZWfAh0LF7bZFYCqcLXMEHLwT7JFqqjrtumfGbkY~S23qZ-rzMDVIgFcEmvecDJjFoXVg-m3LSyMJA8YQRiu9RCJSXE7Ial30x4GuHdSucosCssm-GHSrR9pMfR~JfUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riviera Beach City Council heard a presentation Aug. 6 on a draft Art in Public Places master plan intended to guide public murals, sculptures, gateway treatment and temporary installations across the city.

Suneet Simon, who leads the local arts effort, and consultant Anna Talarico of Designing Local said the plan was informed by outreach, focus groups and a year of engagement. The plan recommends streetscape treatments, temporary and permanent sculpture sites, enhanced entries and gateway installations, beach and marina activations, and stronger stewardship and funding mechanisms.

Talarico said the plan seeks to connect culture, wellness and neighborhoods and recommended a dedicated public art administrator, updates to the authorizing ordinance to reflect best practices, and strategies to expand funding and public‑private partnerships. Council member questions focused on timing and funding; City Manager Evans noted about $244,000 currently in the Art in Public Places fund.

Staff proposed posting the ordinance and returning with adoption language and recommended ordinance updates as soon as practical; councilmembers urged an expedited schedule to adopt policy before potential state actions affecting public art funding are debated in Tallahassee.

What’s next: Staff and consultants will incorporate council feedback and return with ordinance language and an adoption package in the coming weeks, targeting a September or October date for formal action.","City consultants and the newly formed Art and Public Places board presented a draft master plan to guide murals, sculptures and gateway projects; staff recommended ordinance updates, a public art administrator, and rapid adoption to protect program funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Riviera Beach receives clean audit for fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2024, auditors report no findings

Monroe Heights residents urge Riviera Beach to halt encroachment, staff says plats show easement intact

Riviera Beach council debates city manager’s use of severance agreements, motion to require notice dies

Riviera Beach council renews employee health plan with Cigna after negotiated increase

Riviera Beach staff unveil Art in Public Places master plan; ordinance to follow