Broward County Continues To Recover from Hurricane Wilma

While work crews continue to remove debris and repair infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Wilma, residents are also coping with the devastation and financial hardships brought on by the worst hurricane to strike the County in 55 years.

The October 24th hurricane left nearly 900,000 people without power, under boil water orders and curfews. Many homes and buildings were damaged and schools were closed for two weeks. Traffic lights were not only downed, but totally destroyed. The entire tree canopy of the County changed in a matter of hours. The debris generated in less than a day surpassed debris volume typically generated by all of Broward County in one year.

As the recovery effort began, Broward County responded to the need for basic human services, such as ice, water, food, medical attention and housing for those whose homes were totally or partially destroyed. The County has been working tirelessly, side by side with federal and state agencies, the municipalities and non-profit groups to reach the elderly and residents with special needs. During and after the storm, more than 200,000 calls were answered by Broward County’s Call Center.

The economic impact of the hurricane and the humanitarian needs continue to be assessed. The County Commission met for an all-day workshop on November 10 to discuss short-term and long-term needs. Information on ongoing programs and initiatives are being posted to Broward County’s website, www. broward.org.

Emergency Assistance

Individuals, families and businesses that sustained damage from Hurricane Wilma could be eligible for disaster relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The agency offers numerous programs that provide assistance for hurricane-related expenses. To qualify, you must first register with FEMA. Residents can call 1-800-621-3362 or complete an online application at www.fema.gov. When registering, you should have the following information available:

Social Security Number
Private insurance information, if applicable
Address and Zip Code of the damaged property
Directions to the damaged property
Daytime telephone contact number

Residents Should Be Cautious When Hiring Contractors

The demand for qualified contractors after a disaster usually exceeds the supply. Residents should beware of home repair rip-off artists, who may overcharge, perform shoddy work or skip town without finishing the job. Because many legitimate licensed home repair companies can be booked solid for months, frustrated and anxious homeowners and landlords, eager to get their property back in shape, may neglect to take the usual precautions when hiring contractors.

Deal only with licensed and insured contractors. Verify the track record of any roofer, builder or contractor you are thinking of hiring. Ask for a list of recent customers and call them.
Get recommendations from friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, insurance agents or claims adjusters.

Check with the local consumer protection agency, building officials, and the Better Business Bureau to see if complaints have been lodged against any contractor you are considering.

Take your time about signing a contract. Get a written estimate that includes any oral promises the contractor made. Remember to ask if there’s a charge for an estimate before allowing anyone into your home.

Ask for explanations for price variations and don’t automatically choose the lowest bidder.
Get a copy of the final, signed contract before the job begins.

Resist dealing with any contractor who asks you to pay for the entire job up-front. A deposit of one-third of the total price is standard procedure.

Don’t pay cash. Pay only by check or credit card, and pay the final amount only after the work is completed to your satisfaction.

Be skeptical of contractors who encourage you to spend a lot of money on temporary repairs. Make sure there is enough money for permanent repairs.

Ask a knowledgeable friend, relative or attorney to review a home repair contract before you sign.

If you take out a loan to pay for the work, be cautious about using your home as security. If you don’t repay the loan as agreed, you could lose your home. Consider asking an attorney to review the loan documents.

If you suspect a repair rip-off, call the your local or state consumer agency or your city’s building department.

Published by the Public Communications Office 954-357-6990 www.broward.org
Josephus Eggelletion, Jr. • Ben Graber • Sue Gunzburger • Kristin D. Jacobs • Ilene Lieberman • John E. Rodstrom, Jr. • Jim Scott • Diana Wasserman-Rubin • Lois Wexler
This public document was promulgated at a cost of $418.50 or $.558 per copy (including postage for those mailed) to provide current information to Homeowner Groups and Civic Associations.

Hurricane Delays Mailing Of Property Tax Bills

With offices closed for a week and key personnel assigned to emergency operations duties, property tax bills were not mailed on November 1, as planned. Broward County’s Revenue Collection Division will mail 700,000 tax bills on November 15.

Because of the delay in sending out the tax bills, the 4% discount period will be extended. The following discounts will apply:

4% if paid by December 15
3% if paid December 16 through 31
2% if paid during January
1% if paid during February

No discounts are available after February 2006. All tax bills must be paid by April 1, 2006. Property owners can pay their taxes in a variety of ways, including by mail, in person or online.

To pay online, visit www.broward.org and select “Pay a Property Tax Bill” under Online Services. In-person payments are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. at:

Revenue Collection Division, Government Center Annex 115 S. Andrews Ave., Suite A-100, Fort Lauderdale
South Broward Satellite Courthouse3550 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood

Acceptable methods of payment include cash, check or money order payable to Broward County Revenue Collector, wire transfer, or credit card including VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. Only Discover Card may be accepted at the counter. All other credit cards are limited to online payments. To complete a wire transfer, contact the Broward County Revenue Collection Division at revenue@ broward.org. Delinquent taxes must be paid by Cashier’s Check and may not be paid online.

To search property tax records, visit www.broward.org/ revenue. A search can be conducted by either a full or partial name, Parcel ID, or GEO Number.

To use the automated tax information service, call 954-765-4423. This system can access property tax information using the property identification number. For additional information or assistance, call the Broward County Call Center at 954-831-4000, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Commission Given $200,000 To Replant Trees

On November 8, the Broward League of Cities presented the County Commission with a check for $200,000 to be used to replant trees that were toppled by Hurricane Wilma. The check, presented by Broward League of Cities President Frank Ortis, mayor of Pembroke Pines, was accepted by Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs.

The money represents unspent funds from the Replant Broward program, a reforestation project implemented by the League after the loss of more than 132,000 trees in Broward County from following citrus canker eradication efforts. The Florida Department of Agriculture funded the $1.8 million program.

“The League of Cities did an exceptional job replacing trees that were lost during the citrus canker eradication effort,” said Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs. “Now the County can work to replace trees that were lost due to the destructive winds of Hurricane Wilma.”

BCT Provides ServiceTo Broward County Fair

Broward County Transit (BCT) is encouraging fairgoers to save the time spent in traffic and parking lines by taking advantage of its convenient bus service to the 2005 Broward County Fair, from November 17 -27, 2005.

The fair will be held at the Pompano Harness Track, Atlantic Boulevard and Powerline Road, Pompano Beach. BCT’s Route 14 provides service along Powerline Road between the Broward Central Terminal in downtown Fort Lauderdale and Hillsboro Boulevard in Deerfield Beach, and stops directly in front of the fairgrounds. Convenient transfers are available to Route 14 from 13 other routes that connect the County to the Broward Central Terminal in Fort Lauderdale.
The bus fare for adults is $1 for a one-way ride; youth (18 years or younger) and seniors (65 years or older) pay $.50 for a one-way ride; children under 40 inches tall ride free. There is no charge for bus transfers. As a participating sponsor, BCT will have a booth in the Fair “Zone,” a dedicated area for teens, on November 17, 18 and 21. Visitors to the booth will receive transit information and prizes.

For more information, call the BCT customer service center at 954-357-8400, or visit the web site at www.broward.org/bct. For Broward County Fair information, call 954-922-3334, or go to www.browardcountyfair.com.

Workshops Offered in October during of Celebrate the Arts Month

In celebration of National Arts and Humanities Month and the Foundation Center’s (FC), Funding For Arts Month, Broward County’s Cultural Division invites interested participants from the community to two free training programs on Monday, October 24, Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center, Nova Southeastern University, 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.

The first workshop, Grantseeking Basics for Individuals in the Arts, will be held at 10 a.m. This workshop will show artists how to identify potential donors in the arts, explore the option of fiscal sponsorship, and offer tips on creating a step-by-step plan to find funding. Finding Funders in the Arts with the Foundation Center Search will assist arts organizations in the basics of searching the Foundation Center’s database of more than 78,000 grantmakers, and will be held at 2 p.m. on the same day.

There is no fee for the programs; hourly parking is available next to the library. To register online, visit www.broward.org/arts, and click on “Workshops.”

County Certifed As National Wildlife Habitat

Broward County’s dedication to environmental excellence was recognized by one of the largest environmental organizations in the nation in October when the County became one of only two counties in the nation to be certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).

NWF recognizes geographical areas that meet criteria of protecting and conserving natural resources. Broward County earned points through its education and certification program, NatureScape Broward. NatureScape teaches residents, schools, and businesses how to incorporate low-maintenance, Florida-friendly landscaping principles and create habitats for native and migrating wildlife. Broward certified more than 800 homes, 14 schools, and 70 public areas such as businesses and parks – far exceeding requirements for NWF certification.

Mayor Kristin Jacobs, who set out a plan for Broward County to achieve the certification when the NatureScape program was in its infancy, said, “Our residents deserve to be acknowledged for their caring support of this community and this is the perfect way to show the nation what can be done with education and action.”