Board adopts administrative-code change shifting Criminal Justice Commission under Public Safety amid assurances

Palm Beach County commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a resolution amending the county administrative code that changes several departmental namings and reporting lines, including placing the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) operatively under the Public Safety vertical.

Oswald Newbold, an executive-committee member of the CJC, told commissioners he was concerned the change could dilute the CJC’s independence and its role as an advisory body to the board. "When you restructure, that's a change and you don't restructure to leave things the same," he said, asking for clearer protections for the commission’s autonomy.

County Administrator Abruzzo and County Attorney (Adi) said the change is a policy and organizational decision rather than a legal stripping of authority. Abruzzo said the CJC currently reports through the administrator and would continue to provide advice to the board; the operational reporting line would route through Public Safety staff for grant and administrative management.

"Public safety does not drive the agenda of the CJC," Abruzzo said, adding that the board sets the commission’s agenda and that staff would remain hands-off on CJC policy direction.

Michelle Suskauer, chair of the Criminal Justice Commission, described the CJC’s broad membership and history and said she would not oppose the placement so long as the commission retains its independence in setting the agenda and issuing recommendations. Suskauer told the board the CJC has worked for decades with law-enforcement, courts, public-health and justice partners and said she welcomed continued engagement.

Vice Mayor Woodward and other commissioners urged staff to provide an update and recommended that the CJC return to the board in about six months to report on how the change is functioning in practice. The board approved the administrative-code amendments and accompanying changes by a 7-0 vote.

Commissioners framed the action as a procedural modernization intended to improve grants management and operational oversight while preserving the commission’s advisory role. Several commissioners requested explicit follow-up reporting to ensure the CJC’s independence and effectiveness are maintained.