Name: Michelle Grau
Office sought: Boca Raton City Council, Seat A
Campaign website: michellegrau.com
Date, place of birth: May 13, 1968 Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Generally speaking, is Boca Raton on the right track or the wrong track, and why?
In many ways, we’re doing well. Boca is a desirable place to live, our local economy is strong, we
have a solid tax base, very little debt, and a favorable business climate. Most importantly, people care deeply about this community. At the same time, there’s a growing sense of mistrust between residents and elected officials, along with real concerns about over-taxation and affordability. Development has outpaced infrastructure, traffic has not been adequately addressed, and too many major decisions feel rushed or made without enough transparency or public input.
We the people deserve a city that is great. Change can strengthen that vision, but reckless change will undermine it. I believe Boca can get back on the right track by planning smarter, asking tougher questions, being fiscally responsible, and truly listening to residents. We should pursue change that strengthens our community, not gamble with its future, so we can move the city forward in a way that works for everyone.
How will you vote on ballot question No. 1, and why? (police headquarters, public safety improvements)
I support building a new police station and enhancing our police services. The Financial Advisory Board voted in favor of a $125 million proposal, and I agree. By following the Board’s recommendation to lower the bond by $50 million and using a portion of the city’s surpluses, we could have reduced the financial impact on taxpayers while still funding the project responsibly.
If the referendum does not pass, I hope the city will revisit the project at a reduced amount or consider including it in a comprehensive governmental obligation bond that also addresses other public infrastructure needs.
How will you vote on ballot question No. 2, and why? (Lease of downtown land, public improvements, Memorial Park)
I do not support the proposed 99-year lease of public land because it places too much financial risk on taxpayers while offering too little in return. Under this deal, the city is funding its own improvements, including City Hall, the community center, and other municipal facilities, at a cost of over $200 million. The developer is responsible for the private portions of the project, while the city assumes the expense and long-term risk in exchange for projected ground-lease payments that fall far short of the true value of this prime public land. In reality, financial projections lose credibility after five years and become increasingly speculative beyond that. Forecasting economic conditions, real estate markets, construction costs, and developer performance nearly a century into the future is not sound financial planning, especially when those projections are used to justify giving up irreplaceable public land in the heart of our downtown.
Equally troubling is the loss of public control that comes with a 99-year lease. This is not a short-term partnership but a century commitment that binds future residents to decisions made today. Boca Raton is in a strong financial position, with a AAA bond rating, growing revenues, and minimal debt, and can afford to fund public improvements without surrendering control of its land. Public-private partnerships like this often promise long-term gains but leave the public holding the risk when assumptions fall apart. Our public land should remain a community asset that serves residents now and, in the future, not be locked into a speculative, century-long deal based on projections no one can responsibly guarantee.
Are you satisfied that the ballot language approved by the City Council accurately reflects the details of the ballot questions?
It reads more like a sales pitch than a neutral explanation and makes it difficult for voters to fully understand what they are being asked to approve. The wording relies heavily on positive, emotional phrases like “preserving Memorial Park,” “honoring veterans,” and “expanding green space,” which can make a “no” vote feel like opposition to those values, even though the issue is really about a 99-year lease of public land for private commercial development.
The question also bundles too many major decisions into a single yes or no vote. It combines a long-term lease of 7.8 acres of city land with mixed-use development, city buildings, a police substation, and park-related claims, without allowing voters to weigh those elements separately. On top of that, the financial implications are not clearly explained. While the language highlights potential rent and revenue, it does not clearly state that taxpayers are responsible for funding City Hall, the community center, and the police substation.
Finally, the promise of “expanding public recreational and green space” is vague, especially since the land already belongs to the public, and the significance of a 99-year lease is buried in a long paragraph. Overall, voters deserve clear, straightforward language that explains exactly what is being given up, what is being gained, and who is paying for it, so they can make an informed decision.
The Florida Legislature is considering proposals to reduce or eliminate property taxes. Do you agree the taxes are too high, and what tax cut proposals do you support?
I strongly believe Boca Raton knows how to manage itself as we are blessed to have the most competent managers and CFO’s and we should continue to manage our finances responsibly with no interference. While rising property values have unintentionally increased the tax burden, I support middle-ground relief options, like HJR 207 and HJR 205 for seniors, which provide targeted relief without jeopardizing essential services. I oppose extreme proposals, such as HJR 201, which would eliminate non-school property taxes that would shift the burden onto businesses, renters, and second-home owners, and potentially harm our local economy.
Instead of trying to increase revenues by raising millage rates or assessment fees for services like fire and recreation, I am focused on carefully analyzing and auditing city expenditures to identify responsible cost savings. This requires close coordination with the CFO and City Manager and a deep dive into complex budgets, work that aligns directly with my background and experience. This approach allows policymakers to make informed decisions without sacrificing essential services, helping balance short-term relief with long-term fiscal sustainability.
What most distinguishes you from your opponent(s)?
What sets me apart as a candidate for Boca Raton City Council is my experience, perspective, and priorities. I bring 30 years of governmental auditing experience, and a career spent scrutinizing budgets, evaluating internal controls, asking tough questions of city managers, and protecting taxpayer dollars before they are spent. That expertise is especially important right now, with major property tax changes, large bond proposals, and long-term capital projects ahead. I offer the disciplined fiscal oversight, transparency, and accountability that our City Council has been missing.
I am also the only candidate in Seat A who has publicly stood out to protect our parks and public land, challenging long-term leases and deals that shift risk onto taxpayers. As a local business owner, I understand the importance of a favorable business climate while balancing ethical, transparent decision-making, responsible growth, affordability, and infrastructure readiness. My campaign is rooted in listening to residents and protecting our city’s future.
Unlike my opponent, I bring this level of financial and auditing expertise and a proven record of standing up for residents and public land. I am committed to making smart, responsible decisions that benefit Boca Raton now and for generations to come.
List in reverse chronological order, starting with most recent, colleges and universities attended with years of attendance and degrees held.
Florida State University (1988-1991) Bachelor Science in Accounting
Florida Atlantic University (1986-1991)
List in reverse the chronological order your work history for the past 10 years.
Grau & Associates, P.A.
Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details and disposition.
No.
Have you ever been charged or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, including an adjudication of guilt withheld? If so, provide charges, dates and terms of sentence.
No.
