Broward County Commission Meeting - August 22, 2024

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners met on August 22, 2024, from 10:15 AM to 12:05 PM for its first meeting following summer recess. The agenda included a consent agenda (items 1-76), public hearings (items 77-79), regular agenda items (80-85), and commissioner non-agenda items. Commissioner Tim Ryan was absent. The meeting was highlighted by updates on animal shelter improvement, a critical audit of the Sheriff's Training Center project, and a discussion on the future of the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda consisting of Items 1 through 76 as read, with Items 53 (withdrawn), 82 (deferred), and 77 and 78 (continued). Regular Item 83 was transferred to consent. Items 18 and 23 were pulled for abstention by Mayor Rich (voted 7-0). Item 68 was pulled for discussion.
• Routine approvals included: board appointments (Item 1A-1L), aviation grant agreements, public works agreements, highway maintenance MOUs, utility easements, budget resolutions, purchasing contracts, and filing of financial reports and audits.

Public Comments & Testimony

• One member of the public, Neil Schiller, signed up to speak on the PACE items (77 and 78), but the items were continued before public comment was taken.

Discussion Items

• Animal Care Division Update (Proclamation/Presentation): New Animal Care Director Douglas Brightwell reported on progress since May 2024, noting a three-fold increase in adoptions during a recent Bissell event (from 90 to 237 animals) and a reduction in dogs housed over 100 days from 56 to 30. He outlined plans for improved field services, software upgrades, and pop-up adoption sites. Commissioners expressed strong support and noted a marked decrease in complaints.
• BSO Training Center Audit (Item 68): County Auditor John Melton presented Audit Report No. 24-23 on the Broward Sheriff's Office Training Center project. The total cost rose from an original $34 million to $73.7 million. The audit identified issues including work done without county authorization, a misalignment of interests due to the delegation of authority agreement, and reallocation of $4.8 million from salary funds to the project. Commissioners criticized the delegation and resolved to never use such agreements again, and noted that state law changes had expanded the sheriff's ability to shift funds. The audit was received and filed (8-0).
• PACE Program Ordinance and Administrative Code Amendments (Items 77 and 78): Following discussion, the Board continued these items to October 8, 2024, to allow further consultation with stakeholders, including the County Auditor. Commissioner McKinzie raised concerns about consumer abuse and the association of private PACE loans with property taxes. Commissioner Rogers emphasized affordability protections. The motion was approved (8-0).
• Local Provider Participation Fund Ordinance (Item 79): The Board enacted an ordinance imposing a non-ad valorem special assessment on private hospitals to fund supplemental payments for uncompensated charity care. Approved (8-0).
• Airport Solid Waste Contract Increase (Item 81): The Board approved a threshold increase for the solid waste contract at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, raising the three-year amount from $943,440 to $2,830,320, due to an input error. Commissioner Udine suggested expanding recycling efforts. Approved (8-0).
• Library Naming (Item 80): Approved the naming of the Stirling Road Branch Library as "The Marta-Beth Friedman Library – Stirling Road Library" after a friendly amendment to retain the geographical name. Approved (8-0).
• County Administrator's Report: Monica Cepero welcomed commissioners back and highlighted the county receiving 29 Awards of Excellence from NACIO and 33 Achievement Awards from NACo.
• Non-Agenda Items: Commissioners congratulated primary election winners, recognized Black Business Month, noted Port Everglades bond rating upgrade, reported on a housing forum and increasing foreclosures, and celebrated Broward's redesignation as a wildlife-friendly community.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent agenda (including 76 items) with modifications.
• Received and filed the BSO Training Center audit (Item 68) without dissent, with a promise to avoid future delegation agreements.
• Continued PACE items 77 and 78 to October 8, 2024, for further stakeholder discussions.
• Enacted the hospital special assessment ordinance (Item 79) as Ordinance No. 2024-23.
• Approved the contract threshold increase for airport waste services (Item 81).
• Approved the library naming resolution (Item 80) as Resolution No. 2024-366.
• Deferred the PACE interlocal agreement template (Item 82) to the October 8 meeting.
• Mayor Rich announced she will step down from the Canvassing Board ahead of the general election; a replacement will be nominated at the September 5 meeting.