Commission Workshop on Budget
Slated for Tuesday, August 21

Broward County Commissioners will conduct a final workshop on the 2008 recommended budget on Tuesday, August 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Room 430, Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. The workshop is open to the public.

Commissioners will examine the budget for efficiencies and reductions as they seek to reduce the 2008 spending plan by approximately $95 million. Public hearings on the budget will be held on September 11 and 25, 5:01 p.m., at the Governmental Center. Public testimony will be taken.

For detailed information on Broward County’s budget and property taxes, visit www.broward.org and click on Budget 2008.

Commission Resumes Regular
Meeting Schedule

Commissioners will return from their annual summer recess and resume their regularly scheduled meetings on Tuesday, August 7, at 10 a.m. Meetings are broadcast live on cable stations throughout the County, primarily on Comcast Cable’s Channel 12. Comcast subscribers in Hollywood, Miramar, Pembroke Pines and West Park can view meetings on Channel 77. Residents served by Advanced Communications can view the meetings on Channel 64 in Coral Springs and Channel 25 in Weston. Tele-Media carries the meetings on Channel 7 in the Pembroke-Miramar area. In addition, meetings can be viewed live on Broward County’s web site, www.broward.org.

Residents to Vote
On “Super Exemption”

On January 29, 2008, coinciding with the presidential preference primary election, voters will be asked to essentially eliminate the Save Our Homes homestead exemption, replacing it with a new “Super Exemption.” If the “Super Exemption” is approved by voters (60 percent is required for passage), existing homesteaders could opt for either exemption. Under the current Save Our Homes exemption, homesteaded property is capped at a three percent increase in value each year for tax purposes.

The new “Super Exemption” would exempt 75% of the first $200,000 of property value from taxes and 15% of the value between $200,000 and $500,000. The maximum exemption in the first year would equal $195,000.

For full details on the property tax reform legislation, as well as information and data on Broward County’s current budget process, residents should visit www.broward.org/2008budget.

Calculator on Tax Proposal
On Property Appraiser’s Web Site

Property Appraiser Lori Parrish has installed a tax calculator on the agency’s web site to assist residents in determining how the proposed Constitutional amendment would affect their property taxes. The “Super Exemption” calculator is located on the web site www.bcpa.net. To access the calculator, click on Property Search and click on Accept. You can access property records by name, address, property identification number or subdivision. At the top of the page, look for the “Super Exemption” calculator. The site lists the current assessments of property throughout Broward County, as of July 1, 2007.

New Water Restrictions
Continue for Most of Broward

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has eased water restrictions in most parts of Broward County. The new Modified Phase II restrictions, while regulating lawn irrigation to twice a week, lift restrictions on all other uses, including car washing and pressure cleaning.

• Watering is permitted on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 4 a.m.-8 a.m. for homes with addresses that end with an ODD number.

• Watering is permitted on Thursdays and Sundays from 4 a.m.-8 a.m. for homes with addresses that end with an EVEN number.

A modified Phase III water shortage declaration for all users within areas serviced by Hallandale Beach and Dania Beach water utilities has been imposed. Areas served by these utilities have been identified as at risk for saltwater intrusion, based on elevated chloride levels in monitoring wells. Customers of these utilities, including homes, businesses and government facilities, with addresses that end in an ODD number may only water on Saturdays from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.; EVEN numbered addresses may only water on Sundays from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Public Hearing Scheduled
On Bus Fare Increase

Broward County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on a proposed bus fare increase on Tuesday, August 14, 2 p.m., Room 422, Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

If approved by the County Commission, the new fares would become effective October 1, 2007. Additional increases would occur in October of 2008 and 2009. Broward County has not increased bus fares since 1995.

Proposed increases include: regular one-way fare, $1 to $1.25; youth fare, $.50 to $.60; senior/disabled/Medicare fare, $.50 to $.60; all day pass, $2.50 to $3; all day pass (senior/disabled/Medicare/youth), $1.25 to $2; 31-day adult pass, $32 to $40; 31-day senior/disabled/Medicare/youth), $16 to $20; and, seven-day bus pass, $9 to $11.

The ten-ride bus pass would be discontinued and a new 31-day college student bus pass would be implemented for $20. For more information concerning the public hearing, call 954-357-8355 or visit www.broward.org/bct.

Sign-Up to Receive
Hurricane Update Information

Broward County’s email update system provides residents with important information from the Broward County Emergency Operations Center before, during and after a hurricane. Email notifications will be sent to subscribers with news about hurricane watches and warnings, evacuation orders, recommended protective actions and related public safety information. To subscribe, visit www.broward.org.

Broward’s Aviation Facilities
Receive Recognition for Safety

Broward County’s two airport facilities - Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and North Perry Airport (NPA) - received high marks for safety on their annual inspections by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), receiving ratings of “zero discrepancies” for the 9th consecutive year. The federal inspection process focuses on runway and taxiway surfaces, safety areas adjacent to runways, airport lighting and marking, emergency response preparedness, daily self-inspection programs and fueling operations and storage. Inspectors also examine aircraft rescue fire fighting readiness and record maintenance.

In July, North Perry Airport was selected as “General Aviation Airport of the Year” by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

New Enhancements at Airport
Focus on Customer Service

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is in the process of installing or implementing a number of service enhancements for residents and visitors utilizing the aviation facility:

• By the end of the summer, the airport plans to implement SunPass Plus. This will allow motorists with SunPass transponders currently used on Florida’s turnpike to be utilized in the parking garages and remote lots. There will be dedicated lanes in garages with signage and roadway markings to steer drivers to the SunPass Plus lane.

• The airport has introduced credit-card-only automated pay stations and upon opening of the new toll plaza and parking management office, automated cash pay stations will be opened. Currently, 15 percent of the Cypress Garage patrons are using the credit card pay stations.

• A new count/monitor system in the garages is being installed, which will display spaces available on each level of the garages at points where vehicles transition from one garage to another.

• A new, improved license plate inventory system is being installed, which will enable airport personnel to pinpoint the exact space in which a vehicle is parked.

• New, highly visible signs are being installed along the entrance roadway to parking to improve passenger information and way-finding.

County Governmental Sites are Collection
Point for Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries from cell and cordless phones, power tools, laptop computers, digital cameras, two-way radios, camcorders and remote control toys can now be disposed of for free at two Broward County governmental center locations:

• Broward County Governmental Center Lobby, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m-5 p.m.

• Broward County Government Center West Lobby, 1 North University Drive (Northwest corner of Broward Boulevard and University Drive in Plantation), Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Rechargeable batteries are banned for disposal in regular trash collections because they contain cadmium or lithium, toxins which are harmful to the environment. Batteries accepted for disposal include nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium ion (Li-ion) and small sealed lead (Pb), weighing up to two pounds.

Regular alkaline household batteries will not be accepted since they no longer contain mercury or other toxic materials. These batteries can be disposed of in your regular trash.

Other battery drop-off sites located throughout Broward County can be found at the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) web site at www.call2recycle.org. For more information on Broward County’s recycling programs, call 954-765-4999 or visit www.broward.org/waste and click on Electronics Recycling.

Radiation Monitors
Installed at Port Everglades

Seven radiation portal monitors (RPMs) will become operational at Port Everglades this month, which will enhance security at the port. The detection system is a non-intrusive means to screen containers and trailers for the presence of radioactive and nuclear materials. The RPMs can detect radiation emanating from nuclear devices and so-called “dirty bombs.” The system, installed at a cost of approximately $1.2 million, is totally passive and does not emit radiation.

Trucks leaving Port Everglades will be required to pass through the RPMs on Eller Drive and McIntosh Road. Petroleum, cement, other bulk trailers and passenger vehicles will not be required to exit the port via the RPM lanes and may use bypass lanes or other port exits.

Low Cost Rabies Vaccination
Clinic Slated for August 25

Broward County’s Animal Care and Regulation Division will hold a Low-Cost License and Rabies Vaccination clinic on Saturday, August 25, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, 2400 Charleston St., Hollywood, from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The $15 cash only fee includes the rabies vaccination and county animal license. To qualify, pet owners must be Broward residents, meet certain income guidelines and provide proof of residency. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers.

A recent change in Broward County ordinance allows pet owners a choice of a one-year or three-year rabies re-vaccination. Rabies is a serious, infectious, viral disease that attacks the nervous system of warm-blooded animals and humans. Unless animals are protected by the rabies vaccine, rabies is almost always fatal. If a pet has never been vaccinated against rabies, it must be vaccinated with a one-year vaccine. If a pet has previously received a rabies vaccination, owners may opt to have it vaccinated with a three-year rabies vaccine. In order to qualify for a three-year rabies vaccine, owners must show proof of the previous year’s vaccination by providing a rabies certificate supplied by a licensed veterinarian.

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