Palm Beach County officially has a new mayor and two new commissioners. The newly minted officials were sworn in Tuesday during the commission’s first meeting since the Nov. 5 general election.
Commissioners formally nominated Maria Marino, a Republican, and voted unanimously in favor of the appointment.
Marino, who succeeds Commissioner Maria Sachs as mayor, was sworn in and took the oath for a second four-year term. She faced no challengers in the general election. Sachs — a Democrat — had won reelection and was also sworn in as a commissioner.
The role of the county mayor largely acts as a commissioner of the board and presides over its meetings.
Commissioner Sara Baxter, a Republican, was appointed vice mayor, assuming responsibilities in the mayor's absence.
Some history was made, too.
Former Greenacres Mayor Joel Flores, a Democrat, was the first Hispanic person elected to the commission to represent the third district. And Bobby Powell Jr., a Democrat, replaced Senator-elect Mack Bernard to represent District 7.
The County Commission is now under Democratic control again. The election results shifted the commission from a 4-3 Republican to a 4-3 Democrat majority.
READ MORE: Democratic state Senator-elect Mack Bernard's priorities: Affordable housing, economic development
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