Broward County Commission Meeting - November 13, 2025
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Broward County Commission Meeting - November 13, 2025
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 10:10 AM to 4:19 PM, with a recess from 12:41 PM to 2:18 PM. The meeting included approval of a large consent agenda, public hearings on several ordinances, and discussion of high-profile items including ambulance service regulations, affordable housing advocacy, and a proposed county renaming. All nine commissioners were present at various times; Commissioner Rogers was absent for the morning consent votes.
Consent Calendar
- Approved Items 1-79 en masse (motion by Commissioner Geller, second by Commissioner McKinzie), with several items pulled for separate consideration. Supplemental Items 97, 98, and 99 were added to the consent agenda.
- Items deferred to January 2026: 47 (ambulance classification ordinance by Geller), 48 (ambulance classification by Davis), and 71 (directive to amend Chapter 3½).
- Item 72 (travel to South Africa for a staff member) was withdrawn by the County Administrator after discussion.
- Item 93 (resolution supporting county renaming to "Lauderdale County") was withdrawn by sponsor Commissioner Udine.
Public Comments & Testimony
- BOLD Justice Delegation: Vice-President Brian Anthony Campbell, Reverend Aaron Lauer, and Pastor Michael Anderson spoke about the housing affordability crisis, urging the commission to adopt a 90% TIF allocation for affordable housing with 60% directed to families under 60% AMI, and to bring forward a resolution by mid-February 2026. Several commissioners expressed support and noted ongoing efforts.
- Taxicab Ordinance (Item 86): Seven public speakers addressed the ordinance. Joe Davis (taxi industry representative) supported Commissioner Geller's amendment for uniform 15-year vehicle phase-in. Jean Bernard St. Ellen (Fort Lauderdale Cab Drivers Association) requested a cost-of-living fare adjustment (outside scope of the ordinance). Robert Bonner (Intercity Taxi) supported the amendments and requested a 20-year allowance for wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Aina Lee (Econo Properties) urged modern fleet standards for tourism. Russ Clinnette (Broward Workshops) supported Geller's amendment and opposed Commissioner Davis's amendment. Dan Lindblade (Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce) also supported the changes.
Discussion Items
- Item 9 – Port Everglades Master/Vision Plan Update: Port Director Joseph Morris presented the 2024 update after 30 public meetings. The plan focuses on cargo, cruise, and energy growth. Commissioners praised the plan and the port's $28.1 billion economic impact. Approved 9-0.
- Items 16, 19, 20 – Human Services Contracts: Commissioner Rich abstained due to board service with the beneficiary organizations. Approved 8-0 (Rich abstaining).
- Item 40 – Rezoning for Waste Management (Monarch Hill): Vice-Mayor Bogen voted no, citing his adversarial position. Approved 8-1.
- Items 47, 48, 71, 79 – Ambulance Certificate Regulations: Senator Geller moved to postpone 47, 48, and 71 and consolidate them under Commissioner Davis's Item 79 (comprehensive review). After discussion with stakeholders (including HCA representative John Millage), the board directed staff, the EMS Council, and the County Attorney to conduct a holistic review and bring a draft ordinance to the first commission meeting in January 2026. Approved 9-0.
- Item 60 – Regional Biosolids Facility Interlocal Agreement: Vice-Mayor Bogen discussed expediting via design-build. Staff confirmed 11 participating utilities. Approved 8-0 (Commissioner McKinzie not present).
- Item 61 – Coastal Dune Restoration Grant: Mayor Furr urged expediting to meet turtle season deadlines. Award maximum increased from $5,000 to $10,000. Approved 8-0 (McKinzie not present).
- Item 86 – Taxicab Ordinance Amendments: Three amendments were proposed and voted separately:
- Commissioner Geller's amendment (Exhibit 2): Uniform 15-year vehicle phase-in countywide, including airport/seaport. Motion passed 9-0.
- Commissioner Geller's second amendment (86A): Allows thematic taxicabs (e.g., classic cars) at the Director's discretion. Passed 9-0.
- Commissioner Davis's amendment (Exhibit 3): Allows vehicles up to 15 years old with under 150,000 miles to enter the market. Passed 6-3 (Commissioners Geller, Rich, and Mayor Furr voted no).
- The overall ordinance as amended was then enacted 9-0.
- Item 87 – Commission Rules of Procedure: Mayor Furr introduced a clean-up rewrite. Commissioners Davis and Furr withdrew their individual amendments in favor of County Attorney's amendment (87-C), which clarifies commissioner travel/speaking protocols. Approved 9-0.
- Item 93 – County Renaming to Lauderdale County: Commissioner Udine presented the concept. Opponents cited premature timing, cost, and lack of municipal input. Udine withdrew the item after sensing insufficient support.
- Item 100 – Ethics Code Gift Amendments: Vice-Mayor Bogen moved to align county gift rules with state law. Approved 9-0; to return as a public hearing.
- Item 101 – Selection Process for Mayor and Vice-Mayor: Commissioner Rogers initiated discussion on district fairness and tenure requirements. Further consideration continued to the next agenda.
Key Outcomes
- Approved (unanimous unless noted): Consent Agenda (including 79 routine items); Port Everglades Master Plan (9-0); human services contracts (8-0, Rich abstaining); biosolids interlocal (8-0); coastal dune grant (8-0); taxicab ordinance with three amendments (final vote 9-0); commission rules of procedure (9-0); ethics gift amendment directive (9-0).
- Deferred to January 2026: Items 47, 48, 71 (ambulance certificate regulations), to be studied under Item 79.
- Withdrawn: Item 72 (South Africa staff travel) and Item 93 (county renaming).
- Votes with opposition: Item 40 (Monarch Hill rezoning) passed 8-1; Commissioner Davis's taxicab amendment passed 6-3.
- Directives: County Attorney to draft ordinance on gift conformity (Item 100); staff and EMS Council to complete comprehensive ambulance service review by January 2026.
- Reports: Commissioners reported on food insecurity collaboration (over $1 million raised), foreclosure increase (20% year-over-year), response to Sheriff's legal brief, and animal care successes (3,894 adoptions, 568 pets reunited).
Meeting Transcript
Yes, um this morning uh I'm I'm uh going to recognize uh moment of silence for somebody um that passed away in our community and I will tell you that um Congresswoman Debbie Wasseman Schultz who could not be here today was very close with this young woman and had asked me uh to uh if I would uh do this. And I will tell you that Congresswoman Debbie Wasiman Schultz, who could not be here today, was very close with this young woman and had asked me to uh if I would uh do this and I'm very proud to do it uh um for her and in recognition of her relationship with a wonderful young woman by the name of Laney Jones. Laney died on October 14th at the age of 41 while at home at her home in Fault Lauderdale. Two of her family members are here today. Her husband, Joseph, JJ Jones, and her father, Jeff Schultz, are here in the chambers. Laney suffered from Lee Frau Meanie syndrome, a rare genetic condition that made her prone to multiple cancers, leading to her first battle with cancer at only 18 months old. She credited her early detection as the reason she survived six different types of cancers, and it became the driving force behind her lifelong advocacy for early research and support for others facing cancer. While she eventually was eventually declared cancer-free at the age of 24, she was diagnosed again, this time with breast cancer. Over the years, she faced breast cancer, thyroid cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, adrenal carcinoma, non-smokers, lung cancer, and finally geo blastoma, a highly malignant brain tumor. Laney's radiant positivity led to her befriending Congresswoman Debbie Wasseman Schultz, and they worked together to raise awareness funds and legislation for cancer and early education. After Laney's passing, the Congresswoman said she was all gas, no quit. She had every reason to really only think about herself, but instead thought about everybody else but herself. Even after enduring brutal treatments for brain cancer, Laney insisted on speaking at Debbie's annual Cancer Survivor Summit last month. She was determined to be at that summit and deliver her message. She chose to live every day like it's your first, in her words, and her optimism never dimmed. Those who knew and loved Laney Jones knew she would want to be remembered as a warrior, with her husband describing her as a rainbow, always colorful and bright. Her last message to her Instagram followers around the world showed her commitment to funding research for cancer treatment. She said, I faced seven primary cancers, gone through multiple treatments, and I'm still thriving. And research doesn't just matter, it saves lives. Laney Jones is survived by her husband JJ, her father Jeff, Mother Kathy Schultz, and her brothers Brian and Joey Schultz. May her memory be for a blessing. Mr. Dibbs. Thank you. And we wish him and his family grace at its time. And I know probably I know a few worked with him, Hazel. Yeah, so he he passed on. He was mainly representing Mammy Dade, but he was a force for that community. Also, I would like to recognize Alexander and Serena Warren, who were the father and daughter who passed away on a humanitarian mission to be to bring hurricane relief to Jamaica when their plane crashed. So we can keep that family in our prayers as well. Thank you. Thank you. I was also going to mention uh County Commissioner Scott Cohen. Because he had so he had an enormous amount of c accomplishments. Among them were the he uh included the construction of the convention center back then, both ways to energy plants, the expanded airport and the Broward County Performing Arts Center. That's a lot of things. And so I know you're sometimes controversial, but he did a lot for this county. And I we should remember that. I also want to comment uh or remind about Jeff Barrett. He was a really well-known activist in Hollywood. He passed away last week. He was active on a lot of local issues. I always appreciated his sharp and incisive mind and always went to him for ideas and suggestions. He was a good friend. And uh always appreciated his input. He served on Broward County Substance Abuse Advisory Board and was active on housing and homelessness. I know that his wife Rini and his wonderful daughter, Sophia, Sophie and Alexis will be in our thoughts. And then lastly, um I just wanted to acknowledge also Kim, who's part of our family here. Uh her mom 98th birthday was uh would have been yesterday. And so uh hearts are with you.
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