[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6079391,"mediaKeyId","2956044-1f0795fa5f4fcfc57b832f1712360ba2","parentId",2956044,"title","Coconut Creek amends method for annual water-rate adjustments; commission clears ordinance to allow pass-through of Broward County increases","audioSeconds",1080,"startMs",3240000,"endMs",4320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956044-1f0795fa5f4fcfc57b832f1712360ba2&start=3240&end=4320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956044-1f0795fa5f4fcfc57b832f1712360ba2/thumbnail_3240000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079391/Coconut-Creek/Broward-County/Florida/Coconut-Creek-amends-method-for-annual-water-rate-adjustments-commission-clears-ordinance-to-allow-pass-through-of-Broward-County-increases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079391-d6d74088d52b86555b0bd179f0e476a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190356&Signature=AbpKxkqWvVqWc8h1zqk9NSBSNeLPnDfZ38WTF59UZSEGCKJy5zo1XemcYekMpaGXbxnN7CprY7tyjORuPyUrG6IWd~pwU7EMFZSAc2mKGB6sUAgSrURdU8h2w-K8~vDUl5XKjAabc0b3hD4ycAJ4~NFQH3Xm2y7tbfrfKJ1MsZYCHsU84tdIQAPPOycvVfJ4Mp6Y1-IRYKEhUDpWYWIlyThyK268McnP5ZaRzFsAiTEAHozXjdGS4PwYCF9HR2CPuOx9~FaKlBK6XfoMx9WiFllGeAxKe5YPkUlAWuKRcb6TYLpGhXpN9EyESyM0SKsf3HjjOhsp6i2n40TbPXGpnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Coconut Creek, FL","date","2025-04-11T03:38:25.427Z","article","The Coconut Creek City Commission voted on first reading to amend the city code governing annual automatic adjustments to water and wastewater rates, adding Broward County’s water and wastewater fee adjustments as a possible trigger for the city’s automatic change and moving the adjustment date from April 1 to June 1.

Under the ordinance (2025-007) introduced at the meeting, the city’s annual adjustment would apply the greater of: 2.5 percent, the consumer price index (Miami–Fort Lauderdale), or Broward County’s average annual water and wastewater rate increase for the prior fiscal year. The ordinance language preserves the commission’s existing authority to waive the automatic adjustment in whole or in part.

Why the change: Finance staff and the city’s auditors told commissioners that costs passed through by Broward County for transmission and treatment now represent a large portion of the city utility fund’s operating expenses. At the meeting finance staff cited several cost increases at the county level, including higher sludge disposal costs, electricity and chemicals, and explained that larger county increases can render CPI-based increases insufficient to maintain fund stability.

Audit partner Stephen Emery and Finance Director Peter Gay (presented as Peter Gail Lake) told the commission the city closed fiscal year 2024 in a strong position with about $36.3 million in unassigned general-fund balance (roughly five months of operating expenses), but staff cautioned the utility enterprise fund is subject to cost pressures and that the utility operates as a self-sustaining enterprise fund requiring rate adjustments to cover costs.

Commission debate: Commissioner Riedell pressed for a larger increase this year and said he would support passing through Broward County’s 9 percent increase when the city adopts the final rate by resolution. Riedell said earlier figures discussed at the budget workshop would leave the utility fund exposed to multimillion-dollar deficits in coming years and argued the 9 percent pass-through would avoid a significant shortfall. Other commissioners expressed concern about rate impacts on residents but acknowledged that failing to account for Broward County’s increases could create deficits that the city would need to cover.

City Manager Rose and the city attorney clarified the process: the ordinance adopted tonight provides the formula and authority to use the county’s rate as the cap, while the actual rate for any year is set later by resolution that the commission adopts annually. The first-reading vote approved the ordinance language; a second reading and resolution with a specific numerical rate will follow.

Public outreach: Finance staff described a customer outreach plan that will include automated calls, website and social-media updates, direct notifications to multifamily management companies and other materials. Staff also said they would consider text-message notifications if the commission requests it.

What was decided: Commissioners voted to move the ordinance forward (first reading passed by roll call). The exact percentage to be applied for the coming fiscal year will be set later by resolution; commissioners indicated they expect to consider a resolution that could apply a Broward County pass-through percentage (discussed at the meeting as 9 percent) when the formal rate resolution returns.

Excerpts: “We’re proposing changes to the rate adjustment formula,” the finance presenter said, “updating the formula to apply the greater of 2.5%, the CPI or the actual average annual rate increase from Broward County for the prior fiscal year.” Commissioner Riedell said he planned to support the higher county pass-through this year to avoid future deficits. (Transcript excerpt: ordinance 2025-007 presentation and commission discussion.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Coconut Creek City Commission Meeting-4/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Coconut Creek City Commission voted on first reading to amend the city code so annual water and wastewater rate adjustments will take effect June 1 and use the greater of 2.5%, the Miami–Fort Lauderdale CPI or Broward County’s prior-year water/wastewater rate increase as the trigger.","taxTitle","Coconut Creek, Broward County, Florida","taxId",12548,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079396,"Coconut Creek approves traffic “flip” at Lions Creek Middle to ease school congestion",1460,3120000,4580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956044-1f0795fa5f4fcfc57b832f1712360ba2&start=3120&end=4580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956044-1f0795fa5f4fcfc57b832f1712360ba2/thumbnail_3120000.jpg","/articles/6079396/Coconut-Creek/Broward-County/Florida/Coconut-Creek-approves-traffic-flip-at-Lions-Creek-Middle-to-ease-school-congestion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079396-71e0c4e440be11be06fadb4ffc92e0c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190356&Signature=Pa~gogDsfW87EDlf4-0LDXPCrDIH2UVBBfpWSTXdnPMjKmPqCIx4aHG30-2kC0bM1o76-MLVMqwzqdW73g5swB9RJYp~aTXOayVS5boeaaxRIMlu6iwlFqsDpbCSWFc7TtAErRGMM40CAKZ0XVFzm5X9r6eEsxqrFKksOHCSnQJRV4Miak8yrYw4rD8BI-1K6SNOX5D59ehYJlcrPr198p5vheV5KFaBb-kGW~j5dQKFkclCVEOjjlCr3Xn7g4c2s7V~ijzC4NPJljVMIVab4cIwH6tWKflf2Wt9zV7qiSPeXqskyj25dxqwEGxN2d9a9hWN7gHMu-NPzOwbGyLVjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coconut Creek City Commission on April 10 approved a traffic improvement agreement with the Broward County School Board to change vehicle circulation at Lions Creek Middle School, swapping the parent drop-off and bus drop-off locations to move parent lines onto Johnson Road.

The agreement, presented by Bernadette Hughes, the city’s government affairs manager, is intended to reduce a decade-plus pattern of congestion that has extended onto Lyons Road and even toward the Sawgrass Expressway at times and has impeded emergency vehicle access for nearby neighborhoods including Cocoa Bay, Parkwood 6, Soar Bay, Cypress Walk and Sunrise Estates. “This issue has become a life safety issue,” Hughes said, citing blocked driveways and parents and students walking through traffic.

The city and school-board-backed plan would flip the current bus and parent drop-off configuration, move most parent traffic to Johnson Road and require the school board to provide engineering for the new layout. The agreement also commits the city to modify two driveways that now enter city rights-of-way and to construct those modifications as part of the plan. Police Chief Fred Hoefer participated in the discussion and Gray reaffirmed public-safety support for the change.

Why it matters: Residents and commissioners told the commission the congestion has created dangerous conditions for students, parents and first responders. Speakers at the meeting described near-misses, drivers passing on neighborhood streets and confrontations with law enforcement. Nancy Frey, Lions Creek PTSA vice president, warned the parking and traffic problems have affected the school’s ability to attract and retain students and could hurt long-term enrollment.

Commissioner Cindy Bridal and other commissioners urged swift action. Bridal said the change had been years in the making and commended the city and school staff for reaching the agreement. Bernadette Hughes said the school board would take the item up at its meeting next week and the parties anticipate implementing most of the physical changes over the summer so the new traffic pattern can be in place at the start of the next school year. “The goal is to accomplish this change over the summer,” Hughes said.

What was decided: The commission voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to execute the agreement. Commissioners later urged the city and school officials to ensure timely parent notification and clear messaging to minimize confusion during the transition. The agreement requires further approvals by the school board and additional coordination for traffic education and signage, which school staff will handle for parent notifications.

Public comment: Several residents from affected neighborhoods — including Colleen LaPlante and Irene Espinosa — described repeated incidents in which drivers passed at high speed, blocked driveways, or created unsafe walking conditions for students. Nancy Frey said the local PTA had been in contact with the city and school board and urged commission support.

Next steps: The item goes to the Broward County School Board for formal action next week; if approved there and by the city as required, work to reconfigure driveways and implement the traffic flip will proceed with an aim to complete major work over the summer and implement the new drop-off pattern before the next school year. The city will build the two driveway modifications; the school board handled engineering and parent communications.

Lions Creek-related meeting excerpt: “For more than a decade, the traffic configuration at Lions Creek Middle School has caused traffic congestion in and around the school,” Bernadette Hughes said during the commission meeting as she described the agreement before the commission. (Transcript excerpt: resolution 2024-057 presentation.)","City commission approved an agreement with the Broward County School Board to flip parent and bus drop-off locations at Lions Creek Middle School, aiming to reduce congestion that has blocked neighborhoods and hampered emergency access; the city will modify two driveways and the school board provided engineering for the design.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079382,"Coconut Creek accepts fiscal 2024 comprehensive financial report after clean audit",480,2520000,3000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956044-1f0795fa5f4fcfc57b832f1712360ba2&start=2520&end=3000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956044-1f0795fa5f4fcfc57b832f1712360ba2/thumbnail_2520000.jpg","/articles/6079382/Coconut-Creek/Broward-County/Florida/Coconut-Creek-accepts-fiscal-2024-comprehensive-financial-report-after-clean-audit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079382-4ede6df88ba72ec9c6481fcabc288cd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190356&Signature=L0lp70E1y3SZp3-iAepznbEMcAeTOE3a~utmMnDuTRiaQtvtoMzjwFvQt48bxvIanbNiPAiiFcvRG6jwQ8EjS9KMtF7UU8ux8qYa0dNnccv05dGvWUBTTRSxUeSziq8v1SYn-6xjNrt0YCGJSrswkDYfFjlf5clhoC5v~9zsxxbZsfrw~9BpUqZ4Hh-ILht4dHz7pRC-Yvnehtp99tThGXu-wqfEHadL9Ior5FM329zU43ePYYVmdWh1xO7VyTYgJ1H~0IWXCN6-WsmGPHGuIrixCmIxG7GoOSsVx~QEVsD~ZA~1aEKZoweCV4Y1K51JnNr0ZLSx90g4McfWZv~f~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coconut Creek City Commission voted to accept and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2024, after a presentation by Finance Director Peter Gay and the city’s audit partner, Stephen Emery of Citrin Cooperman.

Auditor report: Stephen Emery, partner in charge of the city audit at Citrin Cooperman, reported an unmodified (clean) opinion on the city’s basic financial statements and noted no material weaknesses or reportable noncompliance. Emery told the commission auditors did not have to post adjusting journal entries to reach a clean opinion — a result he described as notable because many jurisdictions require auditor adjustments at year-end.

Financial highlights: Finance Director Peter Gay said the city closed FY24 with about $36.3 million in unassigned general-fund balance — roughly five months of operating expenses — and that the city achieved budgetary compliance for the year. The finance director credited strategic financial management and grant funding for supporting reserve levels and enabling continued capital planning.

Commissioner reaction: Commissioners praised the finance team. Commissioner Brody called the department “conscientious” and thanked staff for producing reliable reports; Commissioner Welch thanked staff for individual briefings that aided commissioners’ understanding of audit and reporting processes. Commissioner Riedell disclosed a vendor relationship with the audit firm in keeping with ethics rules and noted he had recused elsewhere as appropriate.

What was decided: The commission voted unanimously to accept the ACFR and related independent auditor reports for filing with the city clerk and public record.

Next steps: The ACFR will be archived as the official audited financial statements and forwarded to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for certificate-of-achievement evaluation. The finance director said the city already holds multiple GFOA recognitions, and staff expected to continue to pursue awards for excellence in financial reporting.

Excerpts: “We have an unmodified, which means a clean opinion on your basic financial statements,” the auditor told commissioners, adding that no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses were identified. Commissioner Brody said the audit validated the commission’s expectations of a highly capable finance team. (Transcript excerpt: ACFR acceptance and auditor presentation.)","The commission accepted the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2024, after auditors delivered a clean (unmodified) opinion and praised the finance department’s internal controls; officials highlighted an unassigned general fund balance of roughly $36.3 million.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079387,"Commission approves Main Street Block 8 townhomes and park master plan; adds two child-friendly features by amendment",4440,8760000,13200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2956044-1f0795fa5f4fcfc57b832f1712360ba2&start=8760&end=13200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2956044-1f0795fa5f4fcfc57b832f1712360ba2/thumbnail_8760000.jpg","/articles/6079387/Coconut-Creek/Broward-County/Florida/Commission-approves-Main-Street-Block-8-townhomes-and-park-master-plan-adds-two-child-friendly-features-by-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079387-72359b6bee02739883f878ecbfb12ebd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190356&Signature=kMXMVhEcxYyPh1QHCqTw4JxosQt4t~GO7ycmiQlLN2BlO0-cBMPXTYkeh0vyWM2EaLORh7ykzIm7KRgDe95T4jZinUt0ksQUGWt9ILkwNsV8LWYTLcOxO8rkrJPoYm8glbnP7eOOK3KML9LOW9ZoocNz5f7nQwt4fNZ4HYOlMqEnf2DfR9yIXtC~x91WP~Bc76gzqYC4hkTN-O-~2HpI5LE8ZYufFeKE8SP8TwMf40cJcDD1wX02wcT2Al1ya7zdPQNd79zxqT8zIBKtX8EWx5EMGnVXv-XnN-sbNzaULnxb~jqf4Gos-wYt4nzjnsHwYUDhaDpdgnW4UE3s-iq0ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coconut Creek City Commission approved two related site plans for the Main Street at Coconut Creek development — Block 8, which will contain up to 152 for-sale units of townhomes and villas, and a comprehensive parks and open-space master plan for the broader development — and adopted a commission amendment to add two child-friendly play structures to park areas.

Staff and the applicant said both plans comply with the Main Street Planned Main Street Development District (PMDD) design standards and the city’s land-development code. Justin Prophet, the city’s Director of Sustainable Development, told the commission the planning staff found the Block 8 site plan and the park/open-space plan consistent with the previously adopted PMDD; the Planning and Zoning Board had recommended approval unanimously.

Block 8: The applicant, represented by Scott Backman, described Block 8 as a mix of rear-loaded, urban-style townhomes fronting major streets and interior villas with additional on-street parking. The block will provide roughly 40 on-street spaces in addition to the developer’s private parking; developer materials show the block is over-parked relative to minimum code requirements to support resident and guest needs. Renderings presented to the commission show streetscape design, internal green spaces, and several small pocket parks directly adjoining the block.

Parks master plan: The parks plan covers multiple pocket parks, a Village Green, a mixed-use Main Street Plaza, greenways along major corridors and an FP&L easement linear park. The Village Green will be a primary civic space with shade structures, a splash pad and multiple play zones; the FPL easement areas will require final FP&L consents for several features but staff said FP&L has already executed a consent agreement that will be amended to reflect the final layout.

Amendment and public-recreation features: During the quasi-judicial public hearing commissioners debated the level and placement of open-space amenities. Vice Mayor Wasserman moved and the commission adopted an amendment requiring the developer to add two “kid-friendly” play structures or similar child-focused elements to the project’s park system; the amendment directs that exact locations and specifications be determined administratively with city staff and reported to commissioners individually prior to construction. Staff and the applicant indicated willingness to accommodate the amendment and to work on cost and placement, while noting some large features (notably the Village Green) remain subject to additional design steps and separate agreements.

Public hearings and testimony: The commission heard presentations from city staff, the applicant and representatives of the school and public. Several commissioners and members of the public praised the walking- and bike-oriented elements and the connectivity of the parks system; no speakers opposed both site plans during the hearing.

Vote and next steps: Both resolutions (2025-040 for Block 8 and 2025-041 for the parks/open-space plan) passed unanimously. Staff will proceed with permitting and (where required) additional FP&L coordination; a development agreement, as discussed at length with the commission, remains under negotiation and will attach site plans as exhibits and describe funding and construction responsibilities for the civic spaces, including the Village Green. The administrative process for the two child-focused structures will be coordinated with parks staff and reported back to commissioners.","The commission approved site plans for Block 8 (up to 152 townhomes and villas) and the larger Main Street parks and open-space master plan; an amendment was adopted requiring the developer to add two child-friendly play structures to park areas, to be finalized administratively with staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Coconut Creek amends method for annual water-rate adjustments; commission clears ordinance to allow pass-through of Broward County increases

Coconut Creek approves traffic “flip” at Lions Creek Middle to ease school congestion

Coconut Creek accepts fiscal 2024 comprehensive financial report after clean audit

Commission approves Main Street Block 8 townhomes and park master plan; adds two child-friendly features by amendment