Broward County Commission Meeting – April 28, 2026

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 10:07 a.m. to 5:13 p.m., with a lunch recess from 12:02 p.m. to 1:12 p.m. All nine commissioners were present. The meeting featured proclamations, a presentation from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, approval of a 38-item consent agenda (with several items withdrawn or pulled for separate consideration), public hearings, and numerous regular and supplemental agenda items.

Proclamations & Presentation

• Small Business Appreciation Week proclamations were presented to the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Broward County Small Business Development Advisory Board, as well as to local business owners by Commissioner Rogers.
• A Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation was presented to the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab Director.
• Bob Swindell, President/CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, delivered a presentation highlighting job growth in targeted industries (e.g., aviation 78%, life sciences 81%) and wage increases, and discussed the region’s economic competitiveness.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (Items 1–38) was approved by a 9-0 vote, with Items 5, 35, and 38 pulled for separate consideration. Several items were withdrawn (15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 37, 45, 46).
• Item 5 (Contract with Areawide Council on Aging for caregiver training, $34,999): Approved 8-0. Commissioner Rich abstained due to her service on the council’s board.
• Item 35 (Sponsorship with American Jewish Committee for Jewish American Heritage Month events, $50,000): Approved 8-0 (Vice-Mayor McKinzie not present) as amended to replace the word “catering” with “refreshments” and with additional material.
• Item 38 (Small business sign grant pilot program): The vote failed 3-0. Commissioners Davis, Rogers, and Mayor Bogen voted in favor; Vice-Mayor McKinzie was not present.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 48 (Resilience Program): Several members of the public (Alan Hooper, Rob Cornerens, Tom Green, Tim Petrello, Doug Kuhlman, Jeremy Straub, Randall Vitale) spoke in favor, emphasizing the urgency of flooding issues, the need for leveraging local dollars to obtain grants, and the high return on investment.
• Item 53 (FIFA municipal grants): Speakers including Justin Porter (City of Lauderhill) and Dale Holness supported the funding, highlighting planned soccer events, youth clinics, and economic benefits.
• Item 55 (E Care Ambulance COPCN): Opponents (Charles Maymon, Yema Acosta, Mark Ellis) argued that the EMS Council had recommended denial and that adding another provider could destabilize the system. Supporters (Alberto Naranjo, Mike Arguez, Dale Holness) requested a fair public hearing, noting the application had been pending since October 2025 and was described as the best application in 30 years by some council members.

Discussion Items

• Item 44 (City of Hollywood Land Use Interpretation): After debate over timing, the board voted 9-0 (initially 8-1, then Vice-Mayor McKinzie changed his vote) to set a public hearing for the second Commission meeting in May 2026.
• Item 48 (Resilience Implementation Program): The board approved directing the County Administrator to develop a program based on the 2025 Broward County Resilience Plan and to transfer $20 million from General Fund reserves, subject to approval by the board at a subsequent meeting. Vote: 9-0.
• Items 42, 43, 49 (Broward County Health Care Plan):
  • Item 42A (waiver of administrative code): Approved 9-0.
  • Item 42B (enact ordinance creating a 0.25% health care surtax for five years): Enacted as Ordinance No. 2026-15, to become effective after a required referendum. Vote: 9-0.
  • Item 43 (resolution to place surtax on November 3, 2026 ballot): Approved 9-0.
  • Item 49 (approval of the Health Care Plan detailing use of surtax proceeds): Approved 9-0 (Vice-Mayor McKinzie initially not present, later requested to be shown in the affirmative).
• Item 53 (FIFA World Cup Municipal Matching Grants): The motion was amended to provide up to $12,500 per municipality (cash match), with events on public property, free to the public, open to all county residents, on a reimbursement basis, first-come first-served, with total aggregate funding not to exceed $125,000. Approved 7-2 (Commissioners Furr and Rich opposed). The corresponding budget resolution was approved with the same amendment.
• Item 54 (Lauderhill FIFA Signature Event): The board approved a motion to direct staff to meet with the City of Lauderhill and bring back a detailed proposal for the May 12, 2026 meeting, with a funding cap of $125,000, on a reimbursement basis, on public property, open to all residents. Vote: 8-1 (Commissioner Udine opposed).
• Item 55 (E Care Ambulance Public Hearing): The board approved setting a public hearing for August or September 2026 at the mayor’s discretion, rather than the originally proposed June date. Vote: 8-1 (Commissioner Davis opposed).

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda was approved with modifications; a sponsorship for Jewish American Heritage Month was approved with amended language; a small business sign grant pilot program failed.
• A $20 million Resilience Implementation Program was approved in concept, leveraging matching funds for flood control projects.
• A 0.25% health care surtax will appear on the November 2026 ballot; the enabling ordinance and plan were enacted.
• A FIFA World Cup municipal matching grant program was established with $125,000 total, offering up to $12,500 per municipality for qualifying events.
• The City of Hollywood’s land use interpretation request was set for a public hearing in May 2026.
• E Care Ambulance’s application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity was scheduled for a public hearing in late summer 2026.