Broward County Final Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2025 - September 17, 2024
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Broward County Board of County Commissioners Final Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2025 - September 17, 2024
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners held the second and final public hearing on September 17, 2024, to adopt the final millage rates and budgets for Fiscal Year 2025. The meeting included a presentation of the $7.778 billion total budget (a decrease of $917.6 million from FY2024), public testimony primarily opposing the Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) budget increase, and a series of commission discussions on affordable housing, homelessness, and public safety funding. The board adopted the general county millage rate of 5.6690 (unchanged from FY2024) by a 7-1 vote and the general fund budget (including a $59.5 million operating increase for BSO) by an 8-0 vote. All dependent district millage rates and budgets were also adopted unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Sean DeRosa (Dania Beach resident) described repeated disturbances and alleged false police reports by BSO deputies in his city. He stated that BSO deputies exhibited discriminatory behavior and fabricated reports, and that three certified letters to Sheriff Tony went unanswered. He requested assistance in obtaining public records.
- Mayling Ho-shing (community organizer, Changeless Change) expressed disappointment that the BSO budget was increased, arguing the community needs more investment in affordable housing, employment, wellness centers, and mental health services rather than police equipment. She stated that homeless facilities have no beds and programs are underfunded.
- Miko A. supported Mayling's comments, stating that existing assistance programs are insufficient and not accessible quickly enough. He argued that the BSO increase does not help people in need and requested reallocation of funds toward community support.
- Thomas Williams echoed concerns, noting that homeless shelters have no beds even for families with children. He advocated for redirecting BSO funds to education, teachers, and veterans, and described police harassment in Black communities.
- Shamel Lewis voiced disappointment at the BSO increase, citing audits questioning BSO spending. He stated that public safety means more than policing and that many residents do not feel safe with BSO.
- Mark Mitchell called the budget a moral document, arguing the $59.5 million BSO increase could fund transportation, food, child care, and housing. He noted that 51% of the county's funding goes to the sheriff's office and criticized lack of accountability.
- Adam Russell did not speak when called.
- Burbeth Foster (Community Justice Project) supported the speakers, noting that the eviction diversion program received only 25% of requested funding. She recommended that the police advisory board (recreated after state law changes) be used as a watchdog for BSO budget transparency and accountability.
Discussion Items
- BSO Budget Negotiations: County Administrator Monica Cepero explained that the recommended BSO operating increase was $59.5 million (7.23% over FY2024), plus $24.5 million in one-time capital for three helicopters (two for fire, one for law enforcement), and an additional $10.2 million from reserves for personnel and capital outlay (September 17 substitute Schedule B). The total original BSO request was $1.022 billion operating plus $371 million capital, a $580 million increase from the adopted FY2024 level. Commissioners Udine and Geller expressed concern about the size of the increase but noted that negotiations reduced it significantly. Colonel Lorena (BSO) confirmed that E911 funding issues were resolved and that some costs would be deferred over three years. Commissioner Udine criticized the lack of earlier detailed workshops and stressed the need for better transparency in future budget cycles.
- Affordable Housing & Homelessness: Commissioner Bogan asked what programs help people living in cars. Staff directed callers to 311 (homeless helpline) and noted the Family Success Center. Patrice Paldino (Housing Solutions Director) stated that shelter capacity is limited, with waitlists; Central HACK currently has 150 beds operational out of 230 due to construction, expected to return to full capacity in a few months. She noted Broward County will receive $667,342 from state HB1365, the largest allotment in Florida. County Administrator Cepero committed to analyzing a new proposal to increase shelter bed capacity in the next month or two. Commissioners also discussed the 10-year Affordable Housing Action Plan, the landlord recruitment program (over 500 landlords), and efforts to partner with cities. Mayor Nan Rich emphasized the need for municipalities, the school board, and hospitals to contribute land and funding.
- Capital Program: The five-year capital plan (FY2025-2029) was adopted unanimously. It includes funding for county facilities, BSO helicopters, and other infrastructure. The capital budget decreased by $1.193 billion from FY2024 due to prior-year projects such as the Forensic Science Center.
- Dependent Districts: Millage rates and budgets for the Municipal Services District, Fire Rescue Municipal Services District, Street Lighting Subdistrict, Water Control Districts No. 2, 3, 4, and Cocomar Unit Area No. 1 were all approved with no public comments and unanimous votes. Each district's millage rate remained the same as the prior year, but tax increases resulted from property value growth (capped at 3% for homesteads).
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 2024-582 (Final Millage Rate for General County Purposes, Including Debt Service – 5.6690): Approved 7-1. (Commissioner Udine voted no; all others aye.)
- Resolution 2024-583 (Final Budget for General County Purposes, as amended by September 17 Substitute Schedule B): Approved 8-0.
- Resolution 2024-584/585 (Municipal Services District millage and budget): Approved 8-0 both.
- Resolution 2024-586/587 (Fire Rescue Municipal Services District millage and budget): Approved 8-0 both.
- Resolution 2024-588/589 (Street Lighting Subdistrict millage and budget): Approved 8-0 both.
- Resolution 2024-590/591 (Water Control District No. 2 millage and budget): Approved 8-0 both.
- Resolution 2024-592/593 (Water Control District No. 3 millage and budget): Approved 8-0 both.
- Resolution 2024-594/595 (Water Control District No. 4 millage and budgets for subdistricts 4A, 4B, 4C): Approved 8-0 both.
- Resolution 2024-596/597 (Cocomar Water Control District Unit Area No. 1 millage and budget): Approved 8-0 both.
- Resolution 2024-598 (Five-Year Capital Program FY2025-2029, as amended): Approved 8-0.
- Next Steps: Staff committed to begin FY2026 budget discussions immediately and to analyze expanding shelter bed capacity within the next few months. The county will continue implementing the 10-year affordable housing action plan, including a scorecard for city participation.
Meeting Transcript
I call this budget meeting to order. Good evening. This Commissioner Goward just checking this. Yes, I can hear you. I can. Senator Gallery can hear you. Thank you. Quiet. Okay. All right. Good evening. I'm Nan Rich, Mayor of Broward County. Tonight, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners will conduct public hearings on the final millage rates and final budgets that will support county services during fiscal year twenty twenty five. This is the last of two public hearings as required by law. The purpose of the hearing is to receive comments from the public and provide information on the county's proposed budget and tax levies. County staff is also available near the entrance to answer questions about the county's budget and taxes. If anyone has questions about property value assessment or exemptions, the property appraisers office staff is available near the entrance and can be reached at 954 357 6830. That's 954-357-6830, or Marty Kier, that's KIAR, at BCPA.net, or in room 111 on the first floor of this building from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The last date of file and appeal with the value adjustment board to challenge your assessment is September 18th. That would be tomorrow. If anyone has questions about the VAB process, staff is available near the entrance to discuss. With that introduction, let's begin. For fiscal year 2025, there is a proposed 9.49% aggregate increase in property taxes when compared with taxes generated from the aggregate rolled back rate. The rollback rate generates approximately the same amount of taxes as the prior year, plus taxes generated from new buildings added to the tax roll. The aggregate millage rate of 5.6722 as compared to an aggregate rolled back rate of 5.1804 includes all advalorum taxes levied by the county and its dependent districts, with the exception of voted debt service taxes. This aggregate millage rate is the basis for the state required advertisements concerning budget and taxes. The rollback millage rates and the percentage change in property taxes are based on the assessment roles certified by the property appraiser. The public hearing is open on the general county millage rate and budget. The final millage rate proposed for general county purposes exclusive of debt service is 5.6389, which represents a 9.53 percent increase in property taxes as compared with a rollback rate of 5.1481. The final millage rate for voted debt service is 0.0301. When combining the two elements, the final millage rate for all general county purposes, including debt service is 5.6690, the same as last year. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Today we are presenting a budget for fiscal year 25, totaling $7.778 billion, which is $917.6 million less than fiscal year 24. The operating budgets reflect an increase in the amount of $307.7 million dollars, largely due to increases in Port Everglades, transit, public works, and resilient environment departments. It also reflects a decrease in the capital budget of 1.193 billion dollars, largely due to the budgeting in the prior year of the Forensic Science Center and a lawyer lower surtax budget in fiscal year 25 due to Broward Commuter Rail South and large airport-related projects also budgeted in fiscal year 24. Finally, there's a decrease in the debt service budget of $32.9 million. The general fund budget proposed for fiscal year 25 totals 1.924 billion dollars, which is an increase of 103.9 million dollars. The general fund regional Broward Sheriff's Office recommended budget increased by $59.5 million. As referenced in the September 13 budget memo, adjustments from the recommended budget were made transferring funds from operating expenses and administration, community services and professional standards to personnel services and administration, community services and professional standards, regional law enforcement and investigations, detention and community programs, and regional fire rescue, as well as to operating expenses and those areas based on cost pressures identified in the latest information provided by BSO at that time. Additionally, as reflected in the September 17, 2024, substitute Schedule B 10.2 million dollars is transferred from nondepartmental reserves to fund personnel services and capital outlay for BSO. Also, in the general capital fund, 24.5 million dollars is reallocated from three capital projects to fund the balance of three BSO helicopters. In addition, for the other constitutional officers, the property appraiser's office recommended budget increases by 1.9 million dollars. The supervisor of elections budget decreases by $5.3 million million dollars due to the different elections planned in fiscal year 25 compared to fiscal year 24. The clerk of courts budget increases by 0.4 million dollars, and the budget for nine months of the tax collector is $8.6 million. That begins in January 2025. Additionally, tax increment payments for municipal redevelopment continue to grow due to an increase in the tax rolls, which is an increase of $9.2 million compared to fiscal year 24. Other recommended changes for the coming year are an increase in mental health for jail diversion of $0.5 million, and an addition of $0.5 million for legal assistance for eviction prevention and an increase of $1.5 million for cultural local sponsorship activities and $5 million for the county share of the Central and Southern Florida flood resiliency study. Other recommended changes in reserves are an increase in reserves of $10.3 million for future funding for capital facilities for county facilities, and an increase in reserves of $3 million for emergency preparedness, an increase in reserves of $3.5 million for revenue fluctuations to safeguard against economic trends, and an increase in reserves of $5 million for emergencies and cash flows.
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