Spring is in the air, let’s welcome this new season with positivity and hope.

This past year has been crazy with many life-changing events. As we enter this new season, let's enter it with joy, optimism, and hope. Spring is a great reminder of how beautiful change can truly be. 

Spring is also a great time to start gearing up for summer by replacing the batteries in your smoke alarms, servicing your air conditioner, and with hurricane season beginning June 1st, making sure you have a “Hurricane” plan in place. Hurricanes can be life-threatening and can cause serious damage to our properties from flooding, storm surges, high winds, and tornadoes. While we can't stop a tropical storm or hurricane, we can take proactive measures now to protect ourselves, our families, and our properties:

1. Determine your risk.
2. Develop an evacuation plan.
3. Secure an insurance check-up.
4. Assemble disaster supplies.
5. Strengthen your home.
6. Identify your trusted sources of information for a hurricane.
7. Make a list of important phone numbers.
8. Complete your written hurricane plan.

For more information and to sign up for Broward’s emergency alert notification system, visit Broward.org/Hurricane. For additional information visit Nhc.noaa.gov and Weather.gov/hurricanesafety.

As your Broward County District 8 Commissioner for the past 10 years, I thank you for your continued service and support of our local communities. Together, we are making a difference and positively shaping the neighborhoods that we live in. It is a privilege to work every day to make a difference in the lives of our residents​​.

Broward Parks – Open or Closed?​

Several Broward County Parks are currently being used as test collection or vaccination sites. To find out if your favorite park is open for recreational purposes, visit Broward.org/Parks. Under Park Locations, look for the park by name, select it, and find a list of features, the address, hours and more. Sites being used for COVID testing or vaccinations can be found at GetVaccinated.Broward.org​.

Second Economic Impact Payment (EIP2)

The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued, to eligible constituents, the second economic impact payment (EIP2) as provided by the COVID-related Tax Relief Act of 2020. If you haven’t received your EIP2, you can check your status by going to “Get My Payment” at IRS.gov/eip or call 800-919-9835 for more information.

If you have received your EIP2, you don’t need to call or take any action. If your circumstance has changed since filing your 2019 tax return or receiving the first economic impact payment, you may request an increase to the amount of your EIP2 (for reasons such as having a child in 2020) by claiming a recovery rebate credit on line 30 of your 2020 federal income tax return. Your EIP2 isn’t considered taxable income, and you shouldn’t report it as income on your 2020 federal income tax return.

This year taxpayers will have an extra month to file taxes. Instead of the usual April 15th Tax Day deadline, the IRS says taxpayers now have until 11:59PM on May 17, 2021, to get your tax returns postmarked or emailed to avoid additional penalties.

BEWARE! 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scam artists trying to use the economic impact payments as cover for schemes to steal personal information and money. Remember, the IRS won’t call or contact you asking for personal or bank account information - even related to the economic impact payments​.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday in May, honoring the brave men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Military. Memorial Day 2021 occurs on Monday, May 31st. 

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season​.

Owner Alert offered by the Broward County Property Appraiser (BCPA)

Owner Alert is a free service designed to help you protect your property from scams or fraud by notifying you if a document is received by the Broward County Property Appraiser (BCPA) changing the ownership of your property. Criminals can record fraudulent deeds transferring ownership and then try to mortgage, sell, or rent the property. Owner alert helps stop these unlawful acts!

To subscribe to “Owner Alert” and register your property, simply visit the website: Web.bcpa.net/OwnerAlert 

You will need your Property ID# as well as your Florida Driver’s License number or Florida ID number to complete the registration. There is no fee for this service, and you can unsubscribe at any time​.

​C-51 Reservoir Groundbreaking Ceremony​

On February 24th, Commissioner Dr. Barbara Sharief attended the C-51 Reservoir Groundbreaking Ceremony; a project brought to fruition through a 15-year collaboration with regional stakeholders. When completed, the C-51 Reservoir will serve the region by storing excess wet-season stormwater for later distribution and use during the dry season to recharge the Biscayne Aquifer, the primary source of drinking water for South Florida. This project will also allow enhanced flood protection, water quality, combat saltwater intrusion, and other environmental benefits to the Lake Worth Lagoon​.

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