Broward County Commission Meeting – December 10, 2024

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, from 10:06 a.m. to 12:09 p.m. in Room 422 of the Governmental Center. The meeting included a proclamation, employee recognitions, a consent agenda, a quasi-judicial consent hearing, a public hearing, and non-agenda discussion. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Proclamation & Recognitions

• Commissioner McKinzie presented a World AIDS Awareness Month proclamation to the Community Partnerships Division and Broward Regional HIV Planning Council. The proclamation highlighted that over 21,505 Broward County residents are living with HIV/AIDS, and the county continues to provide services to more than 8,000 people living with HIV each year.
• The Commission recognized employees with 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service. Three employees celebrated 40 years: Rhonda Jefferson (Libraries), Paul Lucas, and Axel Nevis (Transportation).

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (Items 1–71) was approved in a single vote, with Items 86, 87, 91, 92, and 93 transferred to it. Items 69 and 88 were withdrawn. Items 22–27, 47, and 67 were pulled for separate consideration.
• Key consent items included: appointment of Gregory F. Reed to Broward Cultural Council; amendments to airport agreements (duty free concession, automated people mover project increasing grant to $96,894,489); approval of a public transportation grant for Port Everglades Cruise Terminal 29 improvements (up to $3,195,263); approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan; adjustment of personnel cap to 6,833 positions; approval of the Broward & Beyond Business Conference; and multiple budget resolutions and grant agreements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak during the public hearing.

Discussion Items

• Items 22–27 (pulled by Commissioner Rich): Six items related to the Areawide Council on Aging of Broward County, including agreements for veteran case management ($90,000), senior community-based services ($1,082,028 plus $18,000 copayment revenue), local match funding for senior services ($684,920), caregiver training ($36,518), subsidy payment changes, and emergency home-delivered meals ($750,000). Commissioner Rich abstained from voting due to her service on the Council’s board. All items passed 8-0 (with Rich abstaining).
• Item 47 (pulled by Vice-Mayor Bogen): Motion to accept the Affordable Housing Incentive Strategies Report from the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. Vice-Mayor Bogen expressed concern about using trust fund money for mortgage and repair subsidies, which could cost $300 million to $9.3 billion. Commissioner Rich clarified the report is a non-binding recommendation. The motion passed 9-0.
• Item 67 (pulled by Mayor Furr): Interlocal agreement with the Broward County Tax Collector for transition of tax collection functions. New Tax Collector Abby Ajay thanked the board. The motion passed 8-0.

Public Hearing Items (72–85)

• Item 72: Approved second amendment to marine terminal lease with Horizon Terminal Services LLC, waiving rent from October 9 to November 30, 2024, and waiving the annual minimum guarantee for Lease Year 7. Vote: 9-0.
• Items 73–74: Approved resolutions for assignment and renewal of Port Everglades franchises (steamship agent services and marine terminal security). Both passed 8-0/9-0.
• Item 75: Approved allocation of 750 redevelopment units to Wilton Manors (Policy 2.35.1). Discussion included concerns about affordable housing percentages. Vote: 9-0.
• Item 76: Enacted a small-scale land use plan amendment in Hollywood. Vote: 8-0.
• Items 77–78: Approved vacation and release of easements in Davie and Pompano Beach. Votes: 8-0 and 9-0.
• Items 79–83: Approved supplemental budget resolutions (General Fund $36,862,928; Transportation Trust Fund $2,638,335; Special Revenue Funds $3,044,724; Capital Outlay Funds $8,206,522; Enterprise Funds $30,619,501; Internal Service Funds $1,131,745). All passed 9-0 or 8-0.
• Item 84: Enacted ordinance amending County Business Enterprise and Small Business Enterprise provisions. Vote: 9-0.
• Item 85: Enacted ordinance amending prevailing wage requirements, with an exception for surtax-funded projects and ground-lease private construction. Vote: 9-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved with modifications: 71 items passed en bloc; separate votes on pulled items.
• Affordable Housing Incentive Strategies Report accepted (non-binding filing).
• Tax collection transition agreement approved with the new Tax Collector.
• Six senior/veteran service agreements approved (Commissioner Rich abstaining).
• Public hearing items 72–85 all approved, including multiple budget resolutions and two ordinance enactments.
• Non-agenda discussion: Commissioners discussed affordable housing, landlord registration, senior homelessness, and the upcoming silver tsunami. A letter of questions on affordable housing was circulated for January discussion.
• Employee recognitions: Honored service milestones up to 40 years.
• Next meeting: January 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with a solid waste discussion scheduled.