Commission Adopts Reduced
Millage Rate for 2008 Fiscal Year

Following a second public hearing on the Broward County budget for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 on September 25, County Commissioners decreased the millage rate by 14 percent, the largest known decrease in Broward County history.

The reduction will result in the average homeowner, living in a homesteaded property, paying $143 less in taxes on the County portion of their tax bill. Owners of non-homesteaded properties would only pay higher taxes if the percentage increase in the taxable value of their property exceeded the 14 percent decrease in the millage rate.

The new spending plan, which runs from October 2007 through September 2008, will result in a decrease in the County budget from $3.692 billion to $3.576 billion. To accommodate the decrease in spending, a number of programs and services were reduced or combined and 360 positions were eliminated.

Broward County’s Revenue Collection Division will begin sending out tax bills later this month after receiving millage rates from all taxing authorities.

Taxation and Budget Reform
Commission to Meet October 11

The Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC) will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, October 11, 4-7 p.m., Room 422, Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, to solicit public comments on property tax reform. The TBRC, created by the Florida Constitution, is comprised of 25 persons (and four non-voting legislators), who examine the tax and spending policies of the state. The commission can offer recommendations to the Florida Legislature and has the authority, with a two-thirds vote of the full commission, to place constitutional amendments directly on the ballot.

Mayor’s Transit Summit
Scheduled for October 16

What will it take to alleviate traffic congestion in our growing region? What can be done now and in the future to improve public transportation? These and other questions will be addressed at a Transit Summit, hosted by Broward County Mayor Josephus Eggelletion, Jr., on Tuesday, October 16, Broward County Convention Center, 1- 4:30 p.m., 1950 Eisenhower Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Complementary parking will be provided and public participation is encouraged.

Presentations will include information from the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Broward County Transit, Miami-Dade Transit, Palm Tran, South Florida Regional Transit Authority (Tri-Rail), and the Regional Planning Councils. Roundtable discussions will provide a forum for attendees to voice their concerns, ideas and recommendations. For further information, call 954-357-8355.

New Transit Center
To Serve Northeast Broward

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held last month for the new Northeast Transit Center in Pompano Beach, located at the southwest corner of Dixie Highway and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. The facility will occupy nearly 3.5 acres and will include canopied bus platforms, a “kiss and ride” passenger drop-off area, bench seating, a customer service window and ‘real time’ schedule displays. The site will be landscaped and will include an interactive public artwork, Pompano Drum Circle, a grouping of sculptural percussion instruments. The center will accommodate BCT routes 20, 42, 50, 60 and the Pompano Beach community bus service.

Subscribe to Free Hurricane
Update eMail System

To subscribe to Broward County’s free Hurricane Update eMail System, visit www.broward.org/hurricane. The 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.

Tall Cypress Natural Area
Reopens After Repairs

Broward County’s Parks & Recreation Division reopened the Tall Cypress Natural Area, 3700 Turtle Run Blvd., Coral Springs, on September 22. The natural area has been closed since Hurricane Wilma roared across Broward County in October of 2005, causing extensive damage to the site. The natural area will be open daily, year round, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is no charge for admission to the site. The natural area includes parking, a boardwalk, a shelter, a concrete trail, and interpretive signage.

New Highlands Natural Area
Opens in Pompano Beach

On October 5, the Highlands Scrub Natural Area — Broward County’s eighth preserved and environmentally sensitive parcel — opened in Pompano Beach. The 34-acre site is located north of Sample Road, just east of Dixie Highway and the Florida East Coast railroad tracks. The site will be open daily. Amenities include parking for cars and one bus, a 1,800-foot natural trail, a shelter, a covered picnic table, a drinking fountain and benches. Interpretive signage is located throughout the natural area. There are no restroom facilities at the site and no permanent staff will be assigned to the area.

The Highlands Scrub Natural Area was acquired and developed with funds from the 1989 Environmentally Sensitive Lands Bond issue, with additional acreage added through the 2000 Safe Parks and Land Preservation Bond Program.

The site is a small fragment of the remaining, very rare “scrub community” in Broward County. Broward County’s Parks and Recreation Division will maintain the site.

Environmental Landscape Grants
Awarded to Community Groups

Broward County will award 48 groups and organizations throughout the County a portion of $316,000 in Environmental Landscape Improvement grants. The grants support local efforts to implement landscape enhancement projects improving the beauty and environment of neighborhoods by providing reimbursable matching grants, up to $10,000.

The grants program is administered by the Broward Beautiful Advisory Board, appointed by the County Commission. The program seeks to encourage the installation of “Florida-friendly” landscape projects that contain a high percentage of native plant material, decreasing the need for water, fertilizer and pesticides. For a list of groups funded, additional information, call 954-519-0326 or visit www.broward.org/bio and click on Broward Beautiful.

Small Claims Court Clinic
Scheduled for Margate October 25

The Broward County Consumer Affairs Division, in partnership with the Broward County Office of the Clerk of Court and the Broward County Sheriff, will hold a Small Claims Court Clinic on Thursday, October 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Charley Katz Community Center, 6111 N.W. 10th St., Margate.

The clinic will provide information on how to file a small claims court action, explain court procedures and how to prepare for your day in court. Although the clinic will not address individual legal problems, it will provide information on proper filing, fees, subpoenas and more. A question and answer session will follow.

Broward County Launches
Website Highlighting Diversity

To heighten awareness of the diversity among Broward County’s 1.8 million residents, Broward County’s Office of Public Communications has launched a new website on the County’s home page. The new site looks at diversity in the workplace, in business and the community. It recognizes individuals who have received honors and awards for their leadership and efforts to create a more inclusive community.

Visit the website at www.broward.org. Updates and new information will be added on a regular basis.

Special House Election
Called for District 101

Gov. Charlie Crist has called a special election to select a replacement for State Rep. Mike Davis (R-Collier), who died September 12. A primary election will be held on October 30 and a general election on November 20. Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. While most of the district is located in Collier County, 28 precincts are located in Broward County--two in Davie, four in Miramar and 22 in Pembroke Pines. Candidate qualifying begins at 8 a.m. on October 8 and ends at noon on October 9.

Storm Spotter Training
Scheduled for November 17

Are you interested in becoming a Storm Spotter? Storm Spotters play an important role in helping meteorologists predict storms and weather conditions. Training will be given on Saturday, November 17, Broward Emergency Management Agency, 201 NW 84th Avenue, Plantation. SKYWARN Storm Spotters are a nationwide network of volunteers who report significant weather to the National Weather Service. The deadline for registration is November 5. To register, email Robin Terrill, Broward County SKYWARN Coordinator, at n4hhp@comcast.net, or phone 954-249-5343. Space is limited.

Complimentary Plastic Bags
Available at Airport

Free clear plastic bags—an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) requirement for boarding planes with liquids (shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream or makeup) are now available free of charge at all security checkpoints throughout the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, compliments of Broward County’s Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. The bags are designed to hold several three-ounce containers – the maximum container size that can be carried on to planes. Approximately one million of the bags will be distributed.

To Receive Community Update
Please Send Email to Us

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..