Budget Workshops Open to Public
as Commission Considers New Budget

As the Florida Legislature considers a number of options regarding property tax reform, Broward County Commissioners have begun a new process for creating a budget with input from taxpayers.

To reduce spending and streamline operations, Broward County has adopted a budget process based on Zero-Based Program Performance Outcomes. The new procedure evaluates every program and service offered by the county to determine whether it is necessary, economically feasible and whether it serves its intended purpose.

County Commissioners scheduled five budget workshops during the spring and summer. On March 27, Commissioners met with the County’s Constitutional Officers—the Sheriff, Property Appraiser and Supervisor of Elections—whose combined budgets account for more than half of the General Fund budget.

The budget workshops will be open to the public and conducted in Room 430 of the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

• April 24,Noon, Subject: General Fund Agencies
• May 15, 10 a.m., Subject: General Fund Agencies
• June 19, 10 a.m., Subject: General Fund Agencies
• Aug. 21, 10 a.m., Subject: Non-General Fund Agencies

Following the budget workshops, Commissioners will conduct two public hearings on the proposed budget on September 11 and 25 at 5:01 p.m. The hearings will be conducted at the Governmental Center. Public testimony will be taken. The adopted budget will become effective October 1, 2007.

Public Briefings, Workshop and Hearing
Set for Airport Impact Statement

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) invites the public to attend three briefings, a workshop, and a hearing concerning the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport. The County Commission has asked the FAA to present the draft EIS at three briefings:

• Tuesday, April 17, 7-9 p.m., North Regional/BCC Library Auditorium, 1100 Coconut Creek Boulevard, Coconut Creek

• Wednesday, April 18, 7-9 p.m., South Regional/BCC Library Multipurpose Room, 7300 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines

• Thursday, April 19, 7-9 p.m., Fort Lauderdale Branch Library Auditorium, 1300 East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale (Transportation will be available from the Broward County Aviation Department Administration Building, 100 Aviation Blvd., to the Fort Lauderdale briefing. The bus will begin boarding at 6 p.m. and depart from the north side of the Administration Building at 6:30 p.m. The bus will depart the meeting at its conclusion. For additional information or directions, contact Allan Siegel at 954-359-6977)

The FAA presentation will include a slideshow, discussion of the draft EIS and a question and answer period. The FAA will not record oral comments at the briefings, but residents can complete comment forms, which will become part of the FAA’s official record. The draft EIS will become part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s public record on Friday, March 30, 2007.

On May 1, a public workshop and public hearing will be held at the Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. The workshop will be held in Floridian Ballroom D, 4-8 p.m. Charts, graphs and aerial photos will be on display. Residents will be given an opportunity to ask questions and have their comments recorded by a court stenographer. At 6 p.m., a public hearing will begin in Floridian Ballroom A. Public testimony will be taken.

Community Groups Invited
To Apply for Landscaping Grants

The County Commission’s Broward Beautiful Committee, in partnership with a number of municipalities, is hosting a series of Pre-Application Informational Workshops to assist applicants interested in applying for the 2007 Broward Beautiful Community Grants Program, sponsored by the Broward County Commission. The program provides matching grants, up to $10,000, to non-profit organizations to fund environmentally friendly landscape projects on public property or common areas visible and accessible to the general public.

Homeowners and condominium associations, civic groups and other nonprofit organizations are encouraged to attend a workshop to learn more about the grant program. Those who attend a workshop will receive bonus points toward their overall application score. Applicants may attend any of the scheduled workshops, regardless of their city of residence. No prior registration is required. Grant applications will be available at the workshops or may be downloaded by visiting www.broward.org/bio and clicking on Broward Beautiful. For additional information, contact Sean McSweeney at 954-519-0326.

April 4, 5:30 p.m., Pompano Beach Emma Lou Olson Center. Contact: Brian Donovan, 954-786-4601

April 5, 5:30 p.m., West Park Mary Saunders Park. Contact: Russell Benford, 954-989-2688

April 9, 6:30 p.m., Deerfield Beach Constitution Park. Contact: L. Sanagorski, 954-571-4521

April 11, 6:30 p.m., Wilton Manors Hagen Park. Contact: W. Sheppard 954-390-2115

April 12, 6:30 p.m., Coral Springs Northwest Regional Library. Contact: Yuu Soubra, 954-344-1156

April 16, 5:30 p.m., Oakland Park Collins Community Center. Contact: C. D’Angelo, 954-630-4512

April 16, 10 a.m., Lauderhill St. George Community Park. Contact: Jane Sullivan, 954-730-3001

April 17, 5:30 p.m., Cooper City Community Center. Contact: J. Wofford, 954-434-2300

April 24, 5:30 p.m., Miramar Town Center. Contact: Kristy Gilbert, 954-538-6815

April 25, 6 p.m., Dania Beach City Hall. Contact: K. Herman, 954-924-3606

April 26, 6 p.m., Davie Pine Island Multipurpose Center. Contact: Chris Richter, 954-445-0403

April 27, 6 p.m., Tamarac Community Center. Contact: (facility), 954-597-3620

May 16, 6 p.m., African-American Research Library. Contact: S. McSweeney, 954-519-0326

Open House to Commemorate
Community Development Week

In celebration of National Community Development Week, Broward County’s Housing and Community Development Division will host an open house on Wednesday, April 11, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Broward County Governmental Center, Room 302 A, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. The event is open to the public.

This year marks the 32nd anniversary of National Community Development Week. The weeklong recognition, with the theme “CDBG - Building Strong Communities,” is designed to bring attention to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The federal program is designed to assist low- to moderate-income residents by funding safe and sanitary housing, suitable living environments and necessary public services. A goal of the program is revitalization of downtown areas and residential neighborhoods. More than $195 million in CDBG program funds has been spent in Broward County since inception of the program.

Broward County Transit
Initiates Enhancements, New Routes

Broward County Transit (BCT) introduced two new routes and enhancements on a number of other routes in late March. Bus service during weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays has been adjusted on routes 1, 10, 14, 15, 17, 18, 60 and 441 Limited Stop service. In addition, two new routes have been added: Route 16 and U.S. 1 Breeze.

Passengers are encouraged to refer to the new timetables dated March 25, 2007, contact BCT Customer Service at 954-357-8400, or visit www.broward.org/bct for more details. The two new routes:

Route 16: New local service will operate on Stirling Road between Flamingo Road and Dania Beach Boulevard/US 1, with service to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport Tri-Rail Station.

Weekday morning and afternoon peak hour frequency will be every 30 minutes and every 60 minutes on weekday off-peak hours, Saturdays and Sundays.

U.S. 1 Breeze: New limited stop service on U.S. 1/Federal Highway between Sample Road and Aventura Mall in Miami-Dade County. The routing in downtown Fort Lauderdale will be on Andrews Avenue with stops at Southeast 6 Street (Broward Courthouse) and Broward Central Terminal.

Weekday service only every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon peak hours, as follows: Northbound morning peak service will operate between 6 a.m. and 9:25 a.m.; afternoon peak service between 3:55 p.m. and 7:23 p.m.

Southbound morning peak service will operate between 6:05 a.m. and 9:04 a.m.; afternoon peak service between 3:50 p.m. and 7:09 p.m.