Unofficial results show 66% for $280 million in parks bonds and 77% for the school tax. City voters did not vote on the library bonds, which also passed.
Palm Beach County voters approved all three local questions on the Nov. 3 ballot, according to unofficial results. They backed up to $280 million in bonds for parks, up to $175 million in bonds for libraries and four more years of the school district’s 1-mill property tax.
The figures are from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections’ election night results, last updated at 2:58 a.m. Wednesday. All 814 precincts had reported. Mail ballots are still partly counted and will stay that way until the deadlines for fixing ballot signatures and for overseas and military ballots pass, the office said. Results are unofficial until certified.
Turnout was 64.81%, with 576,527 ballots cast by 889,577 registered voters.
The three questions
| Question | For | Against | Share for |
|---|---|---|---|
| School district 1-mill tax | 411,632 | 123,851 | 76.87% |
| Parks bonds, up to $280 million | 349,320 | 178,625 | 66.17% |
| Library bonds, up to $175 million | 231,550 | 132,706 | 63.57% |
Each needed a simple majority.
Parks bonds
The question lets the county borrow up to $280 million, repaid from property taxes within 20 years. The money is for modernizing parks, recreation sites and botanical gardens, updating sports complexes, adding beach access and trails and building new regional parks, according to the ballot language on the county’s Parks Capital Projects Plan page.
The county says the parks debt line on tax bills will start no earlier than fiscal year 2030. It estimates the line at $5 for every $100,000 of a property’s taxable value. Every property in the county pays it, including those in West Palm Beach.
Projects on the county’s list include:
- Mounts Botanical Garden improvements under its master plan, with matching money
- Dyer Park sports facilities, modernized and expanded
- Okeeheelee Park North sports facilities, a new playground and a BMX restroom
- the Peanut Island historic area, renovated so it can reopen to the public
- an aquatic play expansion at Aqua Crest Pool
- school recreation facilities opened to the public, including at Bear Lakes Middle School
Library bonds
This question was on the ballot only inside the Palm Beach County Library District. That is why 556 precincts voted on it, not 814. The City of West Palm Beach is not in the district, which covers the county’s unincorporated areas and 24 cities and towns, according to the library system’s expansion plan page. The city has its own library.
The bonds would pay for library construction and renovation, including a new Main Library on the current Summit Boulevard site. The library system says district properties will see a library debt line no earlier than fiscal year 2030, estimated at $6 for every $100,000 of taxable value. Many homes with a West Palm Beach mailing address are in unincorporated areas and are in the district.
School district tax
Voters renewed the School District of Palm Beach County’s 1-mill operating levy. It now runs from July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2031. The district says on its referendum page that this is a renewal of a tax in place since 2019, not a new tax. Half goes to teacher pay, a quarter to arts, music and choice program teachers and a quarter to school police, safety and mental health services. The district says the money pays teacher salary supplements that average $8,000 a year.
Other countywide results
- Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller: Yvette Drucker (D) had 342,817 votes, or 62.04%. Mike Caruso (R) had 209,718, or 37.96%.
- County Commission, District 6: Katherine Waldron (D) had 58.21% to 41.79% for County Mayor Sara Baxter (R).
- County Commission, District 4: Marci Woodward (R) had 47,441 votes, or 50.60%. Curtis Calabrese (D) had 46,314, or 49.40%. That is a gap of 1,127 votes, with mail ballots still being counted.
- Port of Palm Beach, Group 5: Deandre Poole (D) had 59.10% to 40.90% for Ted Sarandis (R).
The county’s results for statewide races and the three constitutional amendments are on the same results page. An amendment needs 60% of the statewide vote, so the county’s share does not decide it. Statewide totals are on the Florida Division of Elections results site.
What it means for you
- Property owners in the city will see the school tax continue on their bills, and a parks debt line from fiscal year 2030 at the earliest. Our property tax guide explains how the bill is built.
- The library line applies only to properties inside the Library District, not the city.
- West Palm Beach’s own election is Tuesday, March 9, 2027, for mayor and the District 2 and District 4 seats. Dates are on our voting guide.
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