Voters to Decide Slot Machine Referendum on March 8
Voters in Broward County will have an opportunity on March 8 to vote in a special referendum on whether to allow the County’s four pari-mutuel facilities to offer slot machines. The measure was placed on the ballot by the County Commission on January 18. If the measure is approved by voters, four pari-mutuel facilities will offer slot machines: Gulfstream Park and Hollywood Greyhound Race Track in Hallandale Beach, the Dania Jai-Alai Fronton in Dania Beach and Pompano Park Harness Racing in Pompano Beach.

In November 2004, voters amended the Florida Constitution allowing slot machines at pari-mutuel facilities throughout the state, providing voters in each county where the facilities are located approve a referendum. Voters in Miami-Dade County will also be voting on March 8 on whether to allow slot machines at three facilities in that county.

In an agreement signed by the facilities, each pari-mutuel facility will pay Broward County $625,000 by September 30, 2005. The agreement provides that each facility will make an annual payment to Broward County in the amount of 1.5 percent of the gross revenue generated by slot machines. If revenues exceed $250 million, the percentage will increase to two percent. The payments will help defray the costs generated by gambling for the County and the local municipalities.

In addition, Broward County expects the facilities to execute agreements with municipal governments by March 1, 2005, to cover projected costs incurred by the cities. In the absence of signed agreements, Broward County will collect an additional 1.7 percent of gross slot machine revenues and distribute the money to the cities. In the event gross slot machine revenues surpass $250 million, the percentage will increase to 2.5 percent.

The agreement also states that if the Florida Legislature enacts legislation obligating Broward County to regulate slot machine operations, the pari-mutuel facilities will reimburse Broward County for its pro rata share of actual expenses incurred. If the legislature opts not to regulate slot machines, Broward County will have the ability to do so, passing on the costs associated with regulation to the four facilities.

All Broward County voting locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the March 8 election. Supervisor of Elections Dr. Brenda Snipes is expected to announce in early February a list of early voting locations, which are scheduled to open on or about February 21. Seventeen of Broward’s 31 municipalities have contested elections and two cities will be voting on local referendums.

Annexation Referenda on March 8 Ballot
Voters in four unincorporated neighborhoods will vote on annexation proposals and a fifth neighborhood will vote in a straw ballot annexation question on March 8:

• West Ken Lark, population 3,413, north of the Swap Shop, will vote on whether to join Lauderhill
• St. George, population 2,450, south of the Swap Shop, will vote on whether to join Lauderhill
• Twin Lakes, population 949, south of Prospect Rd. and west of Powerline Rd., will vote on whether to join Oakland Park
• Sartori Lake, population 363, west of Northwest 31 Ave., and north of Northwest 44 St., will vote on whether to join Oakland Park
• Residents of the unincorporated neighborhood of Broadview Park will vote in a non-binding straw ballot referendum on March 8 between the City of Plantation and the Town of Davie. The measure has no binding authority, but will guide the unincorporated residents in pursuing future annexation.

Unincorporated areas voting in favor of annexation will become part of their respective municipalities on September 15, 2005. Currently, Broward County’s unincorporated population is 3.6 percent, or slightly more than 58,000 residents.

“Adopt-a-Sweetheart” Valentine Adoption Event
While candy and roses are traditional gifts on Valentine’s Day, why not express your love by adopting a lifelong friend for yourself or for someone who wants and would appreciate a cuddly puppy, dog, kitten or cat?

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, February 14, Broward County will hold an “Adopt-a-Sweetheart” pet adoption event:

Broward County Governmental Center
115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale
12 noon to 5 p.m.

“This is a wonderful outreach program that helps to get these pets out of the shelter and into good homes,” said Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs, who will kick off the event. “Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, and there’s no question that pets provide unconditional love.”

Prospective adopters will be required to complete a short application and pay an adoption fee of $60 (cash only), which includes a health exam, sterilization, license tag, tattoo and vaccinations. Pets can be taken home immediately—and, if, for some reason, the match is not a good one, there is a 14-day return policy. There will be free pet gifts for animals adopted at the event. For additional information on the event and adoption opportunities at other locations, call 954-359-1008.

Rental Car Facility Opens at Airport
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s new Rental Car Facility opened on January 27, bringing most of the major rental car facilities under one roof. The nine-story, $247 million structure is the largest consolidated rental car facility in the United States and one of the largest parking garages in Florida. Included in the building are 90 acres of parking. Levels 1 through 4 will house rental car businesses. Levels 5 through 9 will contain public parking and will open mid-2005.

Property Appraiser’s Plantation Office Relocates
Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish has announced that the Plantation office of the Property Appraiser has moved from the West Regional Courthouse to its new address at the Government Center West, 1 N. University Dr., Suite III-A, on the northwest corner of Broward Blvd. and University Drive. The phone number has also changed: 954-370-3700. The office houses field appraisers and the office’s Condominium Department, which has been relocated from the Governmental Center in Fort Lauderdale. Residents can apply for homestead exemption at the office.

Federal Agencies Commend Broward’s Clean Air Efforts
Broward County’s Environmental Protection Department has been chosen as a Community Partner Champion by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s It All Adds up to Cleaner Air initiative.

The initiative is a unique public education and partnership-building model developed collaboratively by several federal agencies to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. The initiative seeks to inform the public about the connection between their transportation choices, traffic congestion and air pollution. The initiative emphasizes simple, convenient actions people can take to improve air quality and reduce congestion. Broward County was cited for its Car Care Month in October and Clean Air Month in May programs.

Bus Pilot Program Targets College Students
Broward County Transit (BCT) has introduced a new Reduced Fare College Bus Pass for students currently enrolled at Broward Community College, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University and Nova Southeastern University.
The new pilot program is aimed at increasing transit ridership by providing discounted bus passes to college students. The program runs through the end of the year. The program features 31-day passes for $16, available at the Main Library in Fort Lauderdale, BCC/North Regional Library in Coconut Creek, BCC/Regional Library in Pembroke Pines and Southwest Regional Library in Pembroke Pines. Call 954-357-8355 for additional information.

Water Matters Day Set for March 19
Broward County will celebrate the third annual Broward Water Matters Day on Saturday, March 19, 2005, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tree Tops Park, 3900 S.W. 100th Ave., Davie.

The event is a part of the overall campaign: Water for Everyone: People, Plants, Animals. The program encourages homeowners to understand the role they play in managing water resources in their homes, yards and communities. Broward Water Matters Day, which attracted more than 2,000 visitors last year, will feature giveaways and a series of mini workshops to help residents learn how to maintain beautiful yet environmentally friendly yards, addressing issues such as landscaping, gardening, and pest control.

Admission to the event is $1 per person and free for children 5 and under. Event participants who visit at least 10 of the education exhibits on displays at the park will be eligible to receive FREE trees, plants, mulch, rain gauges, and bottled water. Folk singer Grant Livingston will provide live musical entertainment.

Event sponsors include the Broward County Commission, City of Fort Lauderdale, Town of Davie, City of Cooper City, City of Coconut Creek, the South Florida Water Management District, the Central Broward Water Control District and RainBird, Inc.