2008 Property Tax Notices Mailed

Broward County is now accepting 2008 property tax payments. Taxes can be paid by mail, online, on the telephone and in person. In addition, 27 branches of Wachovia Bank are accepting tax payments.

Most residents should receive their tax notices during the first week in November. Discounts for early payment of taxes are available. For residents paying taxes during November, the discount is 4 percent; in December, 3 percent; in January, 2 percent; and in February, 1 percent. There is no discount for paying taxes in March. Tax bills become past due on April 1, 2009.

Participating Wachovia Bank branches are:

• Coconut Creek
  5321 Lyons Road
• Cooper City
  12399 Sheridan Street
  10480 Taft Street
• Coral Springs
  3201 N. University Drive
  5902 Coral Ridge Drive
  1460 Coral Ridge Drive
• Deerfield Beach
  3668 W. Hillsboro Blvd.
  1007 S. Federal Highway
• Fort Lauderdale
  3300 N. Federal Highway
  1710 S. Andrews Avenue
  350 E. Las Olas Blvd.
  1100 W. State Road 84
  1700 W. Commercial Blvd.
  800 W. Cypress Creek Road
• Hollywood
  3325 Hollywood Blvd.
  6015 Washington Street
  4600 Sheridan Street
• Lauderhill
  5899 W. Oakland Park Blvd.
• Miramar
  18499 Miramar Parkway
  6810 Miramar Parkway
• Plantation
  1790 N. Pine Island Road
  10191 Cleary Blvd.
• Pompano Beach
  400 E. Sample Road
  199 N. Ocean Blvd.
• Sunrise
  11 Weston Road
• Tamarac
  4101 W. Commercial Blvd.
• Weston
  278 Indian Trace

Last year, more than 55,000 property tax bills were paid online at www.broward.org/revenue. Electronic checks (no fee) and credit cards (Master Card, Visa, Discover and American Express) are accepted. Check cards with a Master Card or Visa logo will also be accepted, but there is a convenience fee added, based upon the amount of the transaction. Broward County receives no monies from this convenience fee. To pay your tax bill with a credit card via telephone, call 800-601-1069. Taxes can also be paid by mail.

To view property tax records, visit www.broward.org and click on Search Property Tax Records.

Broward County Opens New Regional Fire Rescue Facilities

On October 30, Broward County and Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue celebrated the opening of three new regional fire rescue stations and a regional logistics warehouse. A single grand opening ceremony marked by a ceremonial “hose uncoupling” was held at Fire Rescue Station No. 106 at Mile Marker 34 on I-75 (Alligator Alley).

The new fire rescue stations will accommodate specialized apparatus and trained personnel. Each station is strategically located for rapid deployment and regional emergency response.

Regional Everglades Fire Rescue Station No. 106
Mile Marker 34 on I-75 North, Alligator Alley
$5.1 million, 7,142 square-foot facility with two bays that accommodates an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Engine and ALS Rescue unit and five personnel

Airport/Seaport Fire Rescue Station and
Regional Technical Rescue Station No. 32
3400 S.W. Fourth Ave., Fort Lauderdale
$10.2 million, 16,727 square-foot facility with four bays that accommodates six apparatus and 17 personnel

Regional Hazardous Materials Team Station No. 17 and
Regional Logistics Warehouse
2300 S.W. 42nd St., Dania
$12.8 million combined cost, 15,535 square-foot, three-bay facility that accommodates four apparatus and 10 personnel; on the same site is a 23,097 square-foot Regional Logistics Warehouse

Paratransit Services Named Best Urban Service in Florida

Broward County Transit (BCT) Paratransit Services has been named the best urban service in Florida by the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged, and recognized for their commitment to safely serving their customers in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. Paratransit provides service to more than 16,000 customers in Broward County on a yearly basis.

Master Gardeners Program Has Record-Breaking Year

Last year, Florida Master Gardeners served more than 46,000 clients in Broward County, double the number served the previous year.

That number represents more than 8,300 phone calls, more than 7,200 emails, and nearly 3,700 walk-ins, as well as the more than 27,000 people who took part in 495 educational programs. Master Gardeners donated nearly 12,500 volunteer hours, equivalent to the effort of six full-time staff members.

The purpose of Master Gardener training is to provide qualified volunteers to assist county residents in resolving their landscaping, integrated pest management, and water and soil conservation questions. There are currently more than 150 Master Gardeners, assisted by local Master Gardener coordinators who schedule volunteer events and provide educational programs in each municipality.

Through the Extension Education Section of the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division, and the University of Florida-Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Master Gardeners undergo 102 hours of intensive training, including lectures, labs, and field trips. Students also receive course handouts, books, identification decks, and other diagnostic tools.

For more information on the Master Gardener program, call 954-370-3725 or visit www.broward.org/extension.

Port Everglades Kicks Off Busy Cruise Season

Port Everglades has embarked on a busy cruise season, and through November, will welcome five of the cruise industry’s eight new-build cruise ships.

In addition to Holland America’s ms Eurodam, newly built cruise ships joining the Port Everglades fleet this season include Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Splendor, and Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas. This year, several cruise ships will be sailing for the first time from Port Everglades, including Princess Cruises’ Tahitian Princess, MSC Cruises’ Orchestra and Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Freedom, which will be sailing year-round from Port Everglades.

Broward County Offices Closed November 11

The offices of Broward County Government will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day. All branches of the Broward County Library will be closed. All Broward County regional parks will be closed, although Butterfly World at Tradewinds Park will remain open. Neighborhood parks will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the parks will not be staffed and buildings will be closed. Broward County Transit will operate regular service hours on Veterans Day.

Sign-up for Free Subscription To Hurricane Updates

To keep informed on impending storms, residents are strongly encouraged to subscribe to Broward County’s free Hurricane Update E-mail System. The system provides residents with 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 and related public safety issues. To subscribe, visit www.broward.org/hurricane and click on the Hurricane Update E-mail System box.

November Events Commemorate “America Recycles 2008”

November has been designated “America Recycles 2008” month, a national event that encourages all Americans to make a commitment to the environment by promoting the merits of recycling and buying recycled products. Broward County Waste and Recycling Services Division is promoting several events that commemorate the designation of November 15 as “America Recycles Day:”

• Nov. 13, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  Learn How You Can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint display at Anne Kolb Nature Center, 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood.
• Nov. 14, 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  The City of Deerfield Beach invites you to start your day with a complimentary coffee in a recycled “Broward Recycles” mug from Starbucks, 130 S. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach (this location only). For more information, call the City of Deerfield Beach at 954-480-1420.
• Nov. 14, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  Discover the Power of Reuse at the Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Drive, Coral Springs.
• Nov. 14, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  Pledge to Recycle at Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
• Nov. 15, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  FREE Electronics Recycling Drop-Off Whole Foods Market, Fort Lauderdale (this location only), 2000 N. Federal Hwy. Drop off items and receive a complimentary tote bag and T-shirt (while supplies last). Proof of Broward County residency required. Free recycling activity for kids inside Whole Foods Market, 9:30 a.m. - noon.
• Nov. 15, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  Pledge To Recycle at the Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 S.W. Second St., Fort Lauderdale. Explore the science behind saving the planet through energy conservation, recycling and eco-friendly management of waste. Enjoy recycling and conservation science presentations, a recycling relay race, papermaking and more.
• Nov. 15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  It’s Recycle Mania at Young At Art Children’s Museum. $1.00 Off Admission when you bring a bag containing recyclable items (good for up to 4 people). 11584 W. State Road 84, Davie.

For more information, call 954-765-4999.

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Community Update, a monthly newsletter from the Board of County Commissioners, is produced by the Office of Public Communications. Address questions concerning articles to 954-357-6990. To receive Community Update electronically, send an email to publicinfo@broward.org. Please include your first and last name and email address. Hearing impaired residents can call the TTY line at 954-831-3940 for additional information.