County commissioners will learn Tuesday just how much Trump security costs have impacted next year’s budget.
Higher costs incurred by Palm Beach County to provide security for President Donald Trump have created unprecedented challenges for officials to craft a state-mandated balanced budget.
Under consideration to plug the budget gap: Parking fees for all beachfront parks in the county; hourly fees for youth sports organizations to use athletic fields; and a $20 million cut to the budget of Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, on top of an already agreed-upon cut of $37 million.
Palm Beach County commissioners will discuss preliminary data prepared by the Office of Management and Budget during a workshop May 20. They are expected to address County Administrator Verdenia Baker’s recommended cuts and user-fee increases.
County officials spend about $45 million annually to protect Trump, who was eligible for Secret Service protection after his first term ended in 2021. The figure could even be higher or lower depending on how often he visits Mar-a-Lago, his estate in Palm Beach. In February, he was there every weekend.
Between July 20 and Nov. 10, 2024, sheriff’s deputies incurred more than 100,000 hours of overtime providing security for Trump, first as a candidate and then as president-elect. Some deputies worked nearly 20 hours of overtime in a single day guarding Trump.
Bradshaw had requested more than $47 million in his proposed budget to replace vehicles and update information technology equipment. He reduced the figure by $37 million to comply with Baker’s budget-cut request, putting off those capital improvements into future years.
According to county budget documents, presidential security costs have resulted in reserves or surplus funds being cut to $368 million, a reduction of $58 million. The reserve, a rainy-day type fund to pay for unexpected emergency costs, has now fallen to 24% of total revenues, a 10-year low that could affect the county’s triple-A bond rating.
The goal is a 35% reserve rate. A lower bond rating would result in county taxpayers would pay more to borrow money.
More: House bill would reimburse county for Trump security costs, but how long will it take?
More: Inside Palm Beach County’s new $7.7 billion budget: Will property taxes rise?
Despite the $37 million reduction, the sheriff’s budget is nearly $1 billion, an increase of more than 13%, well over the inflation rate. Bradshaw is resisting any further cuts to his budget. Without the $20 million cut, the budget risks not being balanced. The preliminary budget to be generated from county property taxes is $1.5 billion, an increase of 4%.
A bill has been introduced in Congress to reimburse the county for its Trump security costs, but there is no guarantee that it will pass. And it is also not clear what period of time would be affected. Should the revenue be received, Bradshaw’s budget could then be boosted, according to budget officials.
Without the money, the county may have to raise its tax rate or dip further into the reserve to fund necessary operations. Baker asked department heads to determine whether they could cut their spending plans, raise revenues, or both, to help balance the budget.
One of the more controversial user fees under consideration is a charge of $5 per hour per athletic field used by nonprofit youth sports organizations. The proposal is already getting strong pushback.
“It may not sound like a lot, but it is enough to make sports for youth unaffordable for many families in Palm Beach County,” said Tom Ferraro, who oversees the West Boca Youth baseball program. He said his nonprofit alone probably spends over 1,000 hours on county baseball fields in a single season. Many kids play multiple sports, he noted.
“We can’t absorb these costs,” he said. “We would have to pass them along to the parents. In a county like this, parents should not have to choose what sports their kids play.”
Budget workshop will include discussion of first-ever user fees for use of athletic fields by youth organizations
Ferraro said he has already started a petition to stop the county from imposing such a fee.
The Parks Department said it is the only agency in the area that does not charge for this use. The agency reported that the increase will generate $351,000, which will help support field maintenance and the long-term sustainability of athletic programs.
Parks Director Jennifer Cirillo said her department has faced ever-rising costs and that the user-fee levies are designed to take pressure off property taxes to fund programs. She noted that 84% of her budget comes from property taxes. “We are trying to lower that figure,” she noted.
The Parks Department would raise another $4.2 million by expanding beach-parking fees of $4 an hour to the 12 county beaches that do not charge for parking. Currently, parking fees are only charged at R.G. Kreusler Park in Palm Beach and South Inlet Park in Boca Raton. Fees would be raised from $3 to $4 an hour there.
“Implementing consistent parking fees across all County beach parks will provide a sustainable funding source to enhance public safety, maintain beach facilities, and support operational costs,” according to the budget document, “and support rising operational and maintenance costs associated with beach facilities.”
Other increases include raising the annual boat-trailer permit fee to $50 from $35 and general admission fees at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in suburban Delray Beach to $17 from $16.
Usually, the budget workshop is not held until sometime in June, when the property appraiser has developed preliminary assessment data that can be used to help compute the tax levy. However, Baker is set to retire June 1, and the administration wants to brief the County Commission before her departure. The current millage or tax rate is $4.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and issues concerning HOAs. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.
The Fredonia Recreation Department is hosting its annual Youth Basketball Program for any student(s) who live in the Fredonia Central School District.
The program runs each Saturday from noon-2 p.m. and is free of charge.
This year the program begins Saturday, Jan. 10 and concludes on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Participants do not need to be present each week to be part of the program. Grades 1-4 will take place at Wheelock Elementary School and grades 5-8 will be at the high school gym.
Instruction and games this year will be provided by the Fredonia High School basketball coaching staff and players.
The Fredonia Recreation Department is hosting its annual Youth Basketball Program for any student(s) who live in …
FREDONIA — Emily Lillie drilled a 178-216-213-607 to lead the Forestville girls to a 3-1 win over Cassadaga …
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
A LEAGUE
Justin Giles and Derek Sheridan each scored a goal for 64 on the …
MAYVILLE — Joey Abuhmeidan scored 19 points and hit three of Chautauqua Lake’s nine 3-pointers in a 73-46 …
A Maple Grove woman is accused of stealing more than $110,000 from the Plymouth Wayzata Youth Softball Association while she served as treasurer, according to a recently filed criminal complaint.
Kristin Williams, 52, is charged with one count of felony theft by swindle.
If convicted, the crime is punishable of up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
The Plymouth Wayzata Youth Softball Association is led by parent volunteers and funds youth softball operations. That includes paying for umpires, equipment and tournaments.
According to the criminal complaint:
Williams served as treasurer from June 2020 to February 2025.
The complaint noted that Williams was the sole individual who had access to the association’s online bank account, and also possessed a debit card linked to that account.
There was evidence of theft two months after Williams assumed the role, the complaint said.
Suspicions were raised in September 2024 when the association received notice from the Internal Revenue Service that the nonprofit had lost its tax-exempt status for failing to file taxes for three years. Issues also arose with vendors and coaches not receiving payments.
A review of account statements by the board’s president discovered numerous withdrawals at casinos such as Mystic Lake Casino and Little Six Casino. Further review also determined that Williams had not been truthful in accounting reports presented to the board.
“It appeared that defendant concealed her thefts by fraudulently reducing deposit accounts or hiding the stolen money within other payment classifications such as ‘clinic expenses’ or ‘equipment’ in the reports,” the complaint said.
Williams is scheduled to make her first court appearance on Jan. 21.
Welcome to the fourth annual MLB Pipeline Executive Poll. Starting before the 2023 season, we surveyed front offices across baseball — from general managers to scouting directors, farm directors, analysts and beyond — on a number of questions regarding prospects.
As has been our tradition, we’re beginning with who they think will win Rookie of the Year honors in each league in 2026. They started out on fire in ’23, choosing Gunnar Henderson and Corbin Carroll, both of whom took home that hardware. In 2024, winners Paul Skenes and Jackson Chourio got votes, though the survey leaders were Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the National League and Evan Carter in the American League.
Last year, the industry picked Dylan Crews and Roman Anthony (though most felt Roki Sasaki would be the front-runner in whichever league he signed). Drake Baldwin, the NL winner, didn’t appear on a ballot. In the AL, winner Nick Kurtz did get some attention and Anthony finished third in actual voting at season’s end.
Can front offices hit the nail on the head in ’26? There’s far from a consensus in either league this time around, with more than 40 front office officials weighing in on an array of topics that will be discussed in a week-long series.
Let’s kick things off with the results of the American League Rookie of the Year survey:
Also received votes: Jamie Arnold, LHP, A’s; Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians; Max Clark, OF, Tigers; Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians; Leo De Vries, SS, A’s; Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners; Gage Jump, LHP, Athletics; Carson Williams, SS, Rays
That’s a total of 14 players getting at least one vote. And having two leaders at the top, one pitcher and one hitter, is something that will be mirrored when we get to the NL. It’s interesting, though, that the two tied in the AL are a pitcher who starred in the postseason and a hitter who has yet to play a game above Double-A.
Trey Yesavage (MLB No. 26), taken by the Blue Jays as the No. 20 overall pick in the ’24 Draft, had a meteoric rise through Toronto’s system in ’25, starting the season with Single-A Dunedin and finishing it by appearing in three World Series games as perhaps the most dependable arm on the postseason staff. He’s still only 22 and it will be fascinating to see if he can pick up where he left off and how the league adjusts after getting a longer look at him, especially that devastating splitter.
Kevin McGonigle (MLB No. 2) will be just 21 for most of the ’26 season and has a grand total of 46 games above A ball on his resume. But he also has a career .922 OPS in the Minors, and some voters were no doubt swayed by his Arizona Fall League showing in ’25, when he was named MVP after posting a .362/.500/.710 slash line with five homers and 19 RBIs in 19 games. He’s considered by many to be the best pure hitter in the Minors, with an advanced approach that should enable him to hold his own at the plate. Where he fits in the Tigers’ infield might be one of the more intriguing storylines in Lakeland this spring. He’s primarily been a shortstop (where he’ll see plenty of time in Spring Training), could no doubt handle second base and looked good at third in the AFL.
The other four on our leaderboard all have at least touched the big leagues. Samuel Basallo (MLB No. 7) debuted in August, just days after his 21st birthday, and homered four times in 109 at-bats. The power will play and it’ll be interesting to see how the Orioles get him at-bats behind the plate, at first base and as a DH. Carter Jensen (MLB No. 39) was a September callup for the Royals and after a solid debut (.941 OPS in 60 ABs), he should get a chance to make the Opening Day roster, learning behind Salvador Perez and getting plenty of plate appearances as a DH as well. Payton Tolle (MLB No. 28) and Connelly Early (BOS No. 4) are two Red Sox lefties who showed glimpses of what might be possible with a full season in Boston’s rotation.
In addition to the Red Sox, the Tigers (Max Clark, McGonigle), Guardians (Chase DeLauter, Travis Bazzana) and A’s (Jamie Arnold, Leo De Vries) all had multiple vote-getters. It was the Athletics who finished 1-2 in the AL ROY voting in ’25, with Jacob Wilson (who got multiple survey votes a year ago) right behind Kurtz.
Also received votes: Carson Benge, OF, Mets; Aidan Miller, SS, Phillies; Thomas White, LHP, Marlins
There was a clear top three among the 10 players who received votes in the NL, and like with the AL, it’s led by a hitter who has yet to get a single big league at-bat and a pitcher who made a very strong first impression at the highest level.
Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt (MLB No. 5) had an outstanding first full season of pro ball after being the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, splitting the year between Double-A and Triple-A and posting a combined .306/.421/.510 slash line with 17 homers and 23 steals. Some were surprised he didn’t get a late-season audition in St. Louis, but you have to figure his bat will work its way into that lineup sooner rather than later. He’s played three infield positions, which should help give the big league staff options for him to make the Opening Day roster.
Like Yesavage, Nolan McLean (MLB No. 11) not only made his Major League debut, but did so under a very large spotlight, making eight outstanding starts down the stretch during the Mets’ ill-fated playoff push. With a 2.06 ERA, 10.7 K/9 rate and .200 average-against, McLean was the Mets’ best starter at the end of the season and is the only vote-getter in either ’26 survey to have received actual ROY votes in ’25. He was just two innings shy of surpassing rookie status for the upcoming season.
Behind the two leaders is No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin, and the fact he received such a healthy percentage of votes shows how far and how fast he’s come. The No. 9 overall pick in the ’24 Draft, Griffin went from Single-A Bradenton to Double-A Altoona and hit absolutely everywhere, finishing with a combined .333/.415/.527 line, 21 homers and 65 steals, making him the easy pick for MLB Pipeline’s Hitting Prospect of the Year award. He should get a long look this spring at shortstop and clearly several executives believe he belongs.
Of the remaining four on the leaderboard, Bubba Chandler (MLB No. 14) and Sal Stewart (MLB No. 31) have big league time, while Justin Crawford (MLB No. 54) and Zyhir Hope (MLB No. 20) do not. Chandler should be in the Pirates’ rotation (and is the only player who got votes in last year’s poll to appear this time around), and Stewart in the Reds’ lineup, from Day 1 of the ’26 season. All signs point to Crawford getting every chance to roam the outfield for Philadelphia on Opening Day, while Hope is a bit of a long-shot play.
With Griffin and Chandler, the Pirates are the only team with two players among the leaders, but the Phillies (Aidan Miller, Crawford) and the Mets (Carson Benge, McLean) also had multiple prospects receiving votes.
The subject of what agency will provide youth sports programs in Englewood in the future will be explored at the meeting that will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 16 in the community room on the second floor of the Englewood Civic Center. “The city parks and recreation program will put on the summer baseball program this year but that will be the last youth sports program we will offer,” said Gerald Black, parks and recreation director. In a letter sent to members of youth sports programs and the Englewood school district, Black explained the changes are a result of the need to meet 2014 budget requirements. For years, Englewood Parks and Recreation Department offered an extensive youth sports program that included baseball, basketball and tackle football. A few years ago, the department abolished the tackle-football program, which led to the creation of the Englewood Youth Football Association. The association grew, offering competitive baseball, softball and basketball programs so the name was changed to the Englewood Youth Sports Association. Also, the middle school established separate seventh- and eighth-grade basketball teams for boys and girls. “We don’t really know where we will go from here now that the recreation department is no longer doing youth sports programs,” said Debbie Penn, EYSA board member and community relations representative. “There are options available but we’ll have to see how programs develop.” She said Jan. 16 is a brainstorming session about the future of youth sports programs. Penn said issues include access to facilities at fees that keep youth sports participation costs reasonable for Englewood families. She added that the association is currently operated by a small group of volunteers. “We’ll need some volunteers to help us if we add additional programs or expand our existing programs,” she said. “The current handful of association volunteers can’t efficiently operate expanded programs.”
LIHUE (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Kauai Police Activities League is now accepting applications for the 2026 flag football season.
For years, K‑PAL has connected hundreds of local youth with its athletic programs to further its mission and empower them to live drug-free lives and reach their full potential through positive activities, mentorship, and fun.
The K‑PAL flag football program is open to school-aged youth from kindergarten through high school seniors.
Registration is free and available online through April 1, 2026. Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited. Applications received after the deadline will be placed on a waitlist and are not guaranteed a spot.
Practices will begin on May 1. Games will take place on Saturdays at the auxiliary field next to Vidinha Stadium, starting in June and running through mid-July.
K‑PAL is also seeking volunteer coaches. If you’re passionate about football and want to make a difference in the lives of Kaua‘i’s youth, please visit the K‑PAL website and complete the Volunteer Form.
For more information, call (808) 241-1924 or email KPAL@kauai.gov.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Over 700 bills compiled covering youth sports and physical activity legislation at state and federal levels
11 policy categories tracked, including concussion protocols, mental health training requirements, and abuse prevention standards
Interactive map reveals gaps in coaching qualifications, safety protocols, and recess mandates across states
Free resource developed by University of Washington Center for Leadership in Athletics with four partner organizations
First comprehensive tool to centralize fragmented youth sports legislation into one searchable database
USE THE TOOL HERE: Youth Sports and Physical Activity Legislation Tracker, The Sports Institute, University of Washington, (2025). https://thesportsinstitute.com/youth-sports-and-physical-activity-legislation-tracker/
A Centralized View of Fragmented Policy
The University of Washington Center for Leadership in Athletics released the Youth Sports and Physical Activity Legislation Tracker, a free interactive tool that compiles state and federal laws affecting youth sports programs. The resource was developed in partnership with The Sports Institute at UW Medicine, King County Play Equity Coalition, Susan Crown Exchange, and LiFEsports at The Ohio State University.
The tracker includes over 700 bills and allows users to search by state or topic. It covers legislation on concussion management, cardiac arrest protocols, abuse prevention, coaching qualifications, recess requirements, and physical activity standards in schools.
What the Tracker Covers
The tool organizes legislation into 11 categories. Safety-related topics include concussion protocols, sudden cardiac arrest response standards, general safety requirements, and abuse prevention measures. Training categories address both school sport coaching qualifications and youth sports (non-school) coaching requirements. Additional sections cover mental health training mandates, physical activity minimums in schools, and recess policies.
Each category includes definitions and context. For example, the concussion section tracks which states require return-to-play protocols and assigns responsibility to coaches, schools, or organizations. The mental health category identifies states requiring coaches to complete training on adolescent mental health or suicide prevention.
The abuse prevention section focuses on background checks, mandatory reporting requirements, and codes of conduct. The tracker notes that while most states require background checks for paid school employees, significant gaps remain for volunteer and unpaid coaches.
Addressing Policy Inconsistencies
The tracker highlights variation in requirements across states. Concussion and cardiac arrest protocols differ by jurisdiction. Coaching qualification standards for school sports vary significantly, and requirements for non-school youth sports coaches are even less consistent.
Physical activity and recess policies also show disparities. Not all states mandate minimum recess time for elementary students or require specific amounts of daily physical activity that align with CDC recommendations of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.
Who Benefits From This Resource
The tool serves coaches, program administrators, policymakers, and facility operators who need to understand compliance requirements. Youth sports organizations operating in multiple states can use it to identify different standards across their footprint. School districts can compare their policies to state requirements or peer districts.
Advocacy groups and researchers can use the data to identify gaps in youth athlete protection or inconsistencies in safety standards. The tracker provides a baseline for understanding where policy exists and where it does not.
Building Toward Standardization
The release of this tracker provides the youth sports industry with its first comprehensive view of legislative requirements across jurisdictions. Access to centralized policy data may support efforts to address gaps in coach training, safety protocols, and athlete protection standards.
The tool’s ability to filter by topic or geography allows users to identify specific compliance needs or compare approaches across states. As youth sports organizations face increasing scrutiny around safety and accountability, this resource offers a practical starting point for understanding the regulatory landscape.
YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.
About Youth Sports Business Report
Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.
Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.
Our expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:
Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)
Youth Sports events and tournament management
NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments and compliance
Youth sports coaching and sports recruitment strategies
Sports technology and data analytics innovation
Youth sports facilities development and management
Sports content creation and digital media monetization
Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.
Join our growing community of 50,000+ industry leaders who depend on our trusted youth sports business analysis to drive success in the youth sports industry.
Stay connected with the pulse of the youth sports business – where industry expertise meets actionable intelligence.
Sign up for the biggest newsletter in Youth Sports – Youth Sports HQ – The best youth sports newsletter in the industry
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow Youth Sports Business Report Founder Cameron Korab on LinkedIn
Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?
Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
About Play Up Partners
Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
Why Sponsor Youth Sports?
Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.
What Does Play Up Partners Do?
We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.
Our Approach
Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:
Deliver measurable ROI for brand partners
Create meaningful experiences for athletes and families
Elevate the youth sports ecosystem
Our Vision
We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.
Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing
Where can I sponsor youth sports?How do I activate in youth sports?What is the ROI of youth sports marketing?How much does youth sports sponsorship cost?
We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.
Youth sports organizations: Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to learn about our accreditation process.
