State Property Tax Reform
To Impact County’s Budget

Property tax reform legislation approved in Tallahassee in June will result in $95 million in cuts from Broward County’s 2008 budget.

Staff from Broward County’s Office of Management and Budget told Commissioners in a workshop on June 19 that the state legislation will save County residents living in homesteaded property approximately $134 on the County portion of their next tax bill. Non-homesteaded property owners would see their tax bill reduced by about $66.

Broward County Commissioners and staff have been meeting since January to craft a budget with a lower tax rate. About 61% of the County’s general fund revenue budget is derived from property taxes, with the remainder coming from fees, charges, contracts, sales tax, state revenue sharing, transfers and fund balances.

The legislature also approved a referendum on a Constitutional amendment which would appear on the January 29, 2008 presidential preference primary ballot. The proposal would replace the Save Our Homes homestead exemption, which places a three percent cap on any increase in the value of property that can be taxed each year, with a “Super” homestead exemption. Existing homesteaders would not be required to switch to the new exemption.

If approved by voters (60% required for passage), 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 additional information as well as information on Broward County’s current budget process and proposed service level reductions, residents should visit www.broward.org/2008budget.

County Keeping Residents Informed
During 2007 Hurricane Season

One month into the six-month 2007 hurricane season, which began June 1, Broward County is continuing to take steps to safeguard residents and their property:

• 2007 HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE - Broward County will be mailing a 12-page, full-color Hurricane Preparedness Guide to more than 785,000 households in the County. The guide contains updated and useful information on what to do before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane.

• VULNERABLE POPULATION REGISTRY - In June, Broward County, in cooperation with the municipalities, launched a Vulnerable Population Registry. The Vulnerable Population Registry is a web-based program that allows residents who are disabled, frail or have health issues to register in advance with their city or County, so that emergency workers may plan a better response to vulnerable residents in a recovery effort.

During an emergency such as a hurricane, many residents do not qualify for a Special Needs shelter, or choose not to evacuate to a shelter. Yet, they may become vulnerable in the event of an extended power outage or temporary loss of services. While participation in the Registry is not a guarantee that a resident will be provided services or be placed on a priority list for emergency responders, it will help county and city responders better plan their recovery effort.

The Vulnerable Population Registry program and the database is maintained by Broward County, however each city may use it in a different way, based on their city’s recovery effort. To register, call your city’s emergency management agency, visit www.broward.org/atrisk or call the Broward County Call Center at 954-831-4000 (TTY 954-831-3940).

• PRICE GOUGING - In an effort to detect price gouging in the event of a hurricane or other disaster, Broward County’s Consumer Affairs Division has compiled a countywide survey of prices for essential products and services, current as of June 1, 2007. The list includes food, bottled water, ice, diapers, non-prescription medicine and first-aid supplies, gasoline, and building and household supplies. Also priced in the survey are rentals of hotel/motel and other dwelling units, building equipment and self-storage facilities. The survey creates a baseline to assist investigators on allegations of price gouging, which is unlawful. To view the survey, visit www.broward.org/consumer.

Subscribe to the Hurricane Update E-mail System to receive important information from the Broward County Emergency Operations Center before, during and after a hurricane. E-mail notifications will be sent to subscribers with news about hurricane watches and warnings, evacuation orders, recommended protective actions to take, and other related public safety information. To sign up, visit www.broward.org.

2007 Homeownership Program
Offers Options for New Home Buyers

As part of the County Commission’s efforts to encourage homeownership, Broward County’s Housing and Community Development Division and Housing Finance Authority are offering residents a number of options through the 2007 Homeownership Program.

The new program offers four financing options, all with a 30-year, fixed-rate first mortgage at 5.25 percent. Most offer down payment assistance. The first mortgage and note are exempt from documentary stamps and intangible tax, representing significant savings for homebuyers. Options include:

• 80/20 Mortgage Loan – featuring a 30-year, fixed-rate first mortgage at 5.25 percent and a 30-year, fixed-rate second mortgage up to 20 percent of the sales price of the home with an interest rate of 6.25 percent.

• 7% Down Payment Assisted Loan – featuring a 30-year, fixed-rate first mortgage at 5.25 percent and a 20-year, amortizing second mortgage at a rate of 7.00 percent for up to 7 percent of the sales price of the home. Second mortgage funds are made available by CitiMortgage, Inc., the primary institution servicing the 2007 program.

• Low Rate Mortgage – featuring a 30-year, fixed-rate first mortgage at a rate of 5.25 percent, with no down payment assistance.

• Assisted Loan Subsidy Mortgage – featuring a 30-year, fixed rate first mortgage at a rate of 5.25 percent and a zero percent, deferred payment second mortgage. The second mortgage may be funded through the federal HOME Program or through the State Housing Initiatives Program (SHIP). Buyers must apply for these funds separately and meet and agree to all program requirements.

The programs are available for purchase of a new or existing single family house, condominium or townhouse located in Broward County. You do not have to be a first-time buyer, but you must meet standard credit requirements. Other requirements include:

• Household incomes may not exceed $73,680 for one- or two-person households, or $85,960 for households with three or more persons

• Purchase price for a home cannot exceed $525,090

• $225 bond program fee is due at closing

Interested applicants should contact participating lenders, who are listed at www.broward.org/housing, or call the Broward County Call Center, 954-831-4000.

To Receive Community Update
Please Send Email to Us

To receive Community Update electronically, send an email to publicinfo@broward.org. Please include your first and last name and email address.

Broward County, Kiwanis Divisions
Conducting Christmas in July Drive

The Broward County Commission and Kiwanis Divisions 23 and 24 are seeking donations for the annual Christmas in July event, a charitable effort to assist homeless children in the County before the beginning of the school year. Residents are asked to donate NEW underwear, clothing, shoes and toys.

Collection boxes are located at all 37 branches of the Broward County Library and at the following locations through July 13:

• Governmental Center Lobby – 115 S. Andrews Avenue,
Fort Lauderdale

• North Regional Courthouse – 1600 W. Hillsboro Boulevard,
Deerfield Beach

• South Regional Courthouse – 3550 Hollywood Boulevard,
Hollywood

• West Regional Courthouse – 100 N. Pine Island Road,
Plantation

• Main Courthouse – 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale
Items can be for a girl or boy ranging in age from infants to 18 years.

Temporary Closures For
Turnpike, Pembroke Pines Facility

The Florida Turnpike has scheduled a complete turnpike closure between Sunrise Boulevard and Commercial Boulevard to allow for structural beams to be placed across the roadway. The work is scheduled to close the turnpike on July 8 – 12 and July 15 – 19, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The Pembroke Pines Branch Library/Walter C. Young Resource Center, 955 N.W. 129 Avenue, Pembroke Pines, will close on July 26 at 5 p.m. and reopen on July 30, 8 a.m. The closure will allow maintenance workers make repairs at the facility.

New Passport Regulations
Delayed for Six Months

Following a backlog in processing passport applications, the U.S. Government temporarily eased requirements for air travelers to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. The new regulations were issued following a backlog of U.S. passport applications since January 2007.Travelers can show government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, and a birth certificate. Residents contemplating a future trip overseas should plan now to obtain a passport, before the regulations are reinstated.

U.S. residents can apply for a passport at Broward County’s Passport Application Center (Revenue Collection Division), Governmental Center Annex, 1st Floor, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale (metered parking is available on surrounding north/south streets or at the City of Fort Lauderdale parking garage on S.E. 2nd Avenue). Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Officials report no delays or lines at the Broward County office. Passport renewals or changes may also be done by mail. For additional information on obtaining or renewing a passport, visit www.broward.org/revenue and click on Passport Applications.