By Jim Barnes, Wellington Village Manager
The Wellington Village Council and staff are proud of the accomplishments of 2022 and even more excited for the beginning of a new year. Both have worked hard together to prioritize the village’s future efforts in the form of a 2023 operating budget and a 2023 to 2027 five-year capital budget. These budgets will help to provide the best quality of life and an environment in which our residents and businesses can thrive. The village continued to make many strides in 2022 and has planned its future efforts in the following five strategic focus areas.
Safe & Resilient Community
Resident and employee safety remains our highest priority. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) continues to provide an environment that is one of the safest in the county, state and nation. Our deputies and their leadership engage proactively with our residents, maintain a high presence throughout the community, and offer many services to raise awareness of and prevent crime.
We also work seamlessly with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue to respond to any emergency, and we plan and train together to ensure that we are prepared for man-made and natural disasters. The village’s five-year capital improvement program will continue to invest in your safety through road maintenance and new road enhancements, adding shared-use paths, improving older playgrounds, replacing and repairing sidewalks, and replacing, maintaining and improving our critical water and reclaimed water systems.
Smart, Customer-Focused Government
This past year, Wellington residents, through the National Community Survey, rated Wellington services with an overall approval rating of 85 percent — one of the highest among more than 200 municipalities participating in this national survey. A total of 94 percent of residents gave excellent and good ratings to the village’s overall image and reputation, the overall quality of life and as a place to raise children.
We take great pride in providing best-in-class services, ranging from recreation programming; curbside services such as refuse, recycling and yard waste; street sweeping; policing; parks maintenance; and so much more. Our departments continue to be accredited by their professional associations and consistently achieve high honors and awards that recognize them among their peer organizations and communities as some of the best and most innovative in the nation.
Economic Vitality
Great progress has been made on the expansion of our multi-modal path system, connecting various portions of the village with key destinations like parks and schools. The village remains focused on recreation and sports tourism, as it serves as an integral and contributing part of our local economy.
Community Engagement
The council, its boards and committees, combined with both the council and staff’s resident and neighborhood engagement efforts, provide many opportunities for residents and businesses to be involved. We are constantly communicating through meetings and in-person gatherings, as well as digitally through media outlets, mailings, our web site, social media and the GoWellington mobile app. Our efforts serve to better connect with you and respond to your questions and concerns.
Fiscal Health
The village’s fiscal health remains strong. Village revenues have continued to surpass estimates. By setting budgets accordingly, and operating within the council’s fiscal policies, the village continues to operate well within its means. For example, the village retains a healthy reserve in excess of 36 percent and operates within the confines of the village’s debt policy, leaving significant debt capacity now and in the future, should it be needed. Wellington has and continues to position itself to execute an aggressive five-year capital budget investing in its neighborhoods, setting conditions to attract future economic investment and reinvestments, while retaining the capacity to provide best-in-class services. This past year, Wellington’s budget was awarded the Distinguished Budget Award by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The village retained its high bond ratings while simultaneously receiving another outstanding auditor’s report.
While we take some time to enjoy the accomplishments of 2022, I assure you that we won’t become complacent. We know 2023 will bring a new set of challenges, and in turn, new possibilities for success. We look forward to connecting Wellington to you, our residents and businesses, so that we can all thrive!
