Lamar P. Fisher Broward County Mayor​ ​

I am privileged to present the 2023 annual State of the County. This year's theme was “The 3 C's Plan: Communication, Collaboration and Community." I set a goal to visit all 31 municipalities in Broward County. I began in January in Cooper City and ended in October in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. I was graciously welcomed to provide a message about the County and how we are working together. We are one community. The State of the County is strong. 

Economic Engines 

Port Everglades welcomed 2.88 million cruise passengers, eight cruise lines and 35 ships. Terminal 4 was transformed for Disney Cruise Lines. There were record cargo volumes with sailings from new markets in ​​​India, Asia and the Mediterranean. Energy volume records were broken with 133 million barrels of petroleum. On the horizon are the channel deepening and widening project, shore power and new cranes. 

At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), passenger traffic between January and August was 23.7 million, up 11% over 2022. Domestic traffic was up 8% and international traffic up 23%. We broke ground on Terminal 5. According to Airports Council International, FLL is the 17^th busiest airport in the U.S. and 11^th busiest in international traffic. 

Tourism is on the rise. In 2023, bookings produced 536,000 room nights bringing in nearly $18 billion. Hotel demand increased 2%, which is equivalent to selling an average 467 rooms every day of the fiscal year. Total group room night bookings in 2023 surpassed last year by 14%. Progress continues on the Convention Center and 801-room Omni Hotel. 

Our Office of Economic & Small Business Development works with community partners such as the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance to attract new businesses and create high-wage jobs. The jobs report indicated a 3% unemployment rate in October. Property values increased 11%. The influx of new residents has been record-breaking. 

In 2023, Broward County approved 213 new certifications for CBE/SBE firms and 12 new certifications under the federal DBE/ACDBE small business programs. The Broward County Film Office has issued 703 film permits (up 8% from 2022) and has contracted with 12 projects with combined budgets of over $8.5 million through the Film & TV Incentive Program. 

In April, we received a record-breaking 26 inches of rain. FLL and Port Everglades recovered swiftly and reopened in two days. Office of Economic & Small Business Development helped small businesses get back to business. Public Works assisted with our roads, traffic signals and so much more. 

Fiscal Responsibility

The Commission passed a fiscally responsible $8.6 billion budget. Our first priority is public safety. We provided $25 million to Broward Sheriff's Office for personnel cost increases and $3.4 million for 70 new positions. The Commission provided funding to cure 911 dispatch issues, and provided funding for a new medic aircraft following a tragic accident. 

Broward County is one of the few counties in the nation to have a AAA rating with S&P, Moody's and Fitch. 

Housing and Human Services

In 2023, the Family Success Administration Division provided case management services across five programs, expended over $31 million in payments and stabilized over 11,000 households with assistance for utilities, housing, homelessness, foreclosure, tuition, transportation, nutrition, childcare and unemployment. The Broward Addiction Recovery Center celebrated their 50^th year of service to the community. The Nancy J. Cotterman Center celebrated the grand opening of a new facility.

The Housing, Options, Solutions and Supports Division was awarded an additional $1.2 million by the Commission to assist homeless individuals and families through permanent supportive housing. Broward County provided $18 million in gap financing resulting in five housing projects with 890 new affordable housing units. For 2024, the Commission is providing $20 million in funding for affordable housing. In conjunction with Broward Partnership for the Homeless, we celebrated the grand opening of Seven on Seventh providing housing with an assistance Center. 

Transportation

​The Commission adopted the PREMO plan, which provides a roadmap for transportation and investments on major corridors. Since its inception in 2019, the Mobility Advancement Program (MAP), funded by the penny surtax, has completed 319 county and municipal projects. As of the third quarter of 2023, 57 surtax-funded projects were undertaken with County Business Enterprises (CBEs). The small business goals assigned are expected to create $373,000 in business revenue and over 2,300 jobs. 

Parks, Libraries and Cultural

Parks has earned accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Park and Recreation Association. We continue to invest in capital projects at our parks as well as increasing security.

In 2023, libraries attracted over 313,000 attendees, up 120% over 2022. 

Cultural Division provided more than $6.6 million via 152 grants for Broward artists and arts organizations. They launched the Cultural and Artistic Facilities Capital Support grant program and hosted more than 40 professional development and grant application workshops.

Real Property and Real Estate Development acquired or has under contract to purchase several properties in our community: 5.2 acres in Pompano Beach for an affordable housing development; 4.4 acres on West Broward Boulevard, which will be the future Broward County Government Center; 8.7 acres on West Commercial Boulevard for the new Forensic Science Center; and 7.9 acres in Dania Beach for Transit uses. 

Environment

Broward County awarded over $66 million in Resilient Florida grants supporting diverse infrastructure improvements to reduce flood risk. When combined with municipal awards, our communities received $136 million last year and $219 million or 18% of the 1.2 billion in Resilient Florida Grant Funds awarded to date. 

We continue to invest in solar energy. Currently, we have 72 electric vehicles in service, with more ordered placed to support our clean fleet commitment alternative fuel light duty vehicles by 2030. There are 70 EV charge ports with another 160 purchased and ready to be installed.

​More Broward “Firsts"

Congratulations to Public Works' Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division for the County's first patent for a mosquito larvicide spraying device. Broward County Transit received the first LEED GOLD level certification for Transit in the U.S.​

I am humbled to have been selected by the Board to serve as your Broward County Mayor. I look forward to returning as your County Commissioner and representing the residents and visitors of District 4.

Mayor Lamar P. Fisher

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 View 2023 Broward State of the County Address​