Commission Sets Public Hearings
On $3.1 Billion Budget

County Commissioners have completed most of their workshops on the $3.1 billion Fiscal Year 2007 budget and will hold two public hearings in September to give the public an opportunity to address issues and programs contained in the proposals. Public hearings are scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, and Tuesday, September 26, 5:01 p.m., Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

The recommended budget includes a decrease in the County tax rate. Although property values have increased, the average single family taxpayer with a homestead exemption will not see an increase on the County portion of their tax bill. Non-homesteaded properties will likely increase. If the County Commission approves the proposed tax rate, it will mark the ninth year in a row that the County’s tax rate has been decreased or remained the same.

The Office of Management and Budget has posted the Fiscal Year 2007 Recommended Operating Budget, Recommended Capital Program and Recommended Budget-in-Brief online. Visit www.broward.org/budget and click on Fiscal Year 2007 Recommended Budget Documents.

The regularly scheduled County Commission meeting for Tuesday, August 29, was cancelled because of Tropical Storm Ernesto. The meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 12, 10 a.m.

Unincorporated Neighborhoods
Join Municipalities September 15

Nearly 10,000 unincorporated residents will officially become residents of municipalities on September 15, following special elections earlier this year. The September 15 date has been used for transitioning unincorporated areas into cities for budget purposes. Local governments begin their new fiscal year on October 1.

On September 15, Pine Island Ridge, a community of 5,199 residents located south of I-595, will join the Town of Davie; Country Acres, a neighborhood of 172 people in northwest Broward, will become part of Parkland; Broward Estates, a central unincorporated neighborhood of 3,416, will be annexed to Lauderhill; and United Ranches, an incorporated area in the south central portion of the County with 827 residents, will join Davie.

Late last month negotiations between Broward County and the Town of Davie failed to reach a compromise on an annexation agreement for the Broadview Park neighborhood, a community of more than 7,000 residents located west of Fort Lauderdale. As a result, residents will not be voting on an annexation referendum in November.

The latest annexations reduce the County’s unincorporated population to less than 14,000 residents out of a countywide population of approximately 1.8 million.

Cell Phone Waiting Lot
Now Open at Airport

A new Cell Phone Waiting Area at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport opened September 1. The free 49-space, short-term parking lot is designed for motorists waiting for deplaning passengers at the airport. It is conveniently located on the east side of the airport, off Perimeter Road, next to the Rental Car Center, convenient to the airport’s four terminals. The lot is well-lighted and provides motorists with flight arrival screens. A map of the lot can be downloaded from the airport’s web site, www.fll.net. The lot is expected to relieve congestion at the airport, caused in part by motorists circling the facility until planes land. The lot was authorized by the County Commission on February 28 at an estimated cost of approximately $283,000.

Ethanol Roundtable Discussion
Set for September 14

With rising gas prices, there is growing interest in Ethanol, a renewable fuel that can be produced from agricultural products and solid waste. A roundtable discussion will be held on Thursday, September 14, South Florida Regional Planning Council, 344 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 140, Hollywood, to discuss the varieties and benefits of alternative fuels.

Participants will learn more about ethanol — the various feedstocks from which ethanol is produced; the differences between sugar-based ethanol versus cellulosic ethanol; the energy balance associated with the production of ethanol; the environmental benefits of domestically produced fuel and the current ethanol efforts underway in Florida.

To register for the roundtable discussion, call Isabel Moreno at 954-985-4416 or email her at IMoreno@sfrpc.com.

State to Offer Homeowners
Hurricane Preparation Assistance

Financial assistance to help single family homeowners strengthen their homes against hurricanes is now available from the state through a program called My Safe Florida Home. The $242.5 million program is part of the Florida Comprehensive Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program, which was approved by the Florida Legislature earlier this year.

The initiative will offer free home inspections by state-approved hurricane mitigation inspectors. To be eligible, the homeowner’s property must be homesteaded and insured for windstorm damage and not exceed $500,000 in value. While My Safe Florida Home is not an entitlement program, residents must apply and obtain approval in order to receive a free inspection. Floridians, whose homes have undergone a wind certification and hurricane mitigation inspection, will then be eligible to apply for matching grants up to $5,000. A “matching grant” means that for every dollar a homeowner spends on a wind resistant upgrade, the program will pay one dollar, up to a maximum grant of $5,000. Properties not eligible for free home inspections include mobile or manufactured homes, second homes, rental properties, apartments, condos in buildings with five or more units and businesses. For additional information or to apply online, visit www.mysafefloridahome.com or call toll-free, 1-800-342-2762.

Subscribe for Hurricane Information
Through Email Update System

More than a 1,600 residents received free, up-to-date information from Broward County as Tropical Storm Ernesto moved through the South Florida area. Ten updates were sent during the tropical disturbance. The updates provide residents with important information before, during and after a hurricane or declared emergency. Through the email update system, you can get the latest and most accurate information on the progress of a storm, actions being taken by governmental agencies and helpful advice. Keep in mind that hurricane season runs through November 30, 2006. To subscribe, visit www.broward.org and click on Hurricane Update E-mail System box.

Broward County Celebrates
Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated by Broward County Library in September and October with more than 50 programs at several library branches. On September 16, the opening reception for Hispanic Heritage Month will be held at the Main Library, gallery six, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. and will feature the exhibit Alfredo Zitarrosa Por Siempre. This art exhibit, on display from September 15 to October 15, honors renowned Uruguayan singer and composer Alfredo Zitarrosa. The evening will include a musical performance and light refreshments, and it is free to the public. On September 30, from 2 to 3 p.m., the Margate Catharine Young Branch will host the program “Salsa con Salsa,” a homemade salsa contest with salsa music. Bring your unique salsa dish along with your favorite salsa CD. On October 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Weston Branch hosts the “Festival Hispanoamericano/Hispanic Heritage Festival.” Enjoy a day of dance, music, stories and crafts.

Visit www.broward.org/library.

Commission Approves $400K
In Broward Beautiful Grants

The Broward County Commission has awarded more than $400,000 in beautification grants to municipalities, community groups and non-profit organizations. The grant program, administered by the County Commission-appointed Broward Beautiful Committee, annually awards grants from $1,500 to $10,000 to qualified public entities to improve and enhance landscaping throughout Broward County. After approving 47 grant projects on August 15, amounting in approximately $315,000, Commissioners agreed to appropriate $96,000 on August 22 to fund 13 additional grants.

State Neighborhoods Conference
Set for October 5-7

Broward County and Fort Lauderdale will host the 10th Annual Florida Neighborhoods Conference (FNC) over the weekend of October 5-7. The three-day event, to be held at the Broward County Convention Center, will include workshops, neighborhood tours and special events. It is designed to bring neighborhood leaders together to discuss mutual concerns and is open to the public. For additional information on the conference and online registration, visit www.floridaneighborhoods.org.

Low Cost Rabies Vaccination
Clinic Slated for September 23

Broward County’s Animal Care and Regulation Division will hold a Low-Cost License and Rabies Vaccination Clinic on Saturday, September 23 at the Westside Park, 445 S.W. 2nd St., Deerfield Beach from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The $15 cash only fee includes the rabies vaccination and county animal license. To qualify, pet owners must be Broward residents, meet certain income guidelines and provide proof of residency. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers.

Commit 2B Fit Program
Kicks Off on September 9

Broward County’s Parks & Recreation Division will launch a new fitness program – Commit 2B Fit – with a special event scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., at five county parks: Delevoe Park, 2520 N.W. 6 St., Fort Lauderdale; Markham Park, 16001 W. State Rd. 84, Sunrise; Plantation Heritage Park, 1100 S. Fig Tree Ln., Plantation; Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek; and T.Y. Park, 3300 N. Park Rd., Hollywood. Events scheduled include a two-mile fitness walk, an ongoing warm-up circle, children’s games and bounce house, music and entertainers. Free snacks, water and giveaways will be part of the family fun day. The Commit 2B Fit program is free. Participants will be given a card, which will be stamped for each 30 minute visit to a park to participate in an exercise routine – walking, swimming or playing ball. Each visit to a park earns the participant a stamp; six stamps in one month earns the participant a special charm. For additional information on the program, visit any Broward County park or visit www.broward.org/parks.