[{"_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",6241609,"mediaKeyId","3255345-4fb22988de32830fd19fc9efd67086e7","parentId",3255345,"title","Acting IT director asks for server replacement plan, cybersecurity staffing and service‑desk support after 2023 flood and ERP impacts","audioSeconds",1353,"startMs",2887000,"endMs",4240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255345-4fb22988de32830fd19fc9efd67086e7&start=2887&end=4240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255345-4fb22988de32830fd19fc9efd67086e7/thumbnail_2887000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241609/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Acting-IT-director-asks-for-server-replacement-plan-cybersecurity-staffing-and-servicedesk-support-after-2023-flood-and-ERP-impacts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241609-c681cf910af454a922ca7a5c2a1410a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175364&Signature=EmRzMjCZJwQmlX1zHfVZHZIY0OdZLAYY9sowVf3pwTiwOsdJ3HJX-ITvKK-M~kI33yuIT0oGPlbs5AY9N7HB1R2c96aDBCsc2zQresWwKn5dRrcYT9XaNmWdiQ4LXKuDX2NZj4RfEJhxFrxckvg1BEovxaHFbZiufrwVyjRjJkh~vhwKJGAWEKHWbLmKtsNB4moXyeiOcci9G5WyDa0YG6adWgFFupvceH9MCkX4WoB0Iy1if33tQdVmAZdsrMZP56t2Ep8jrjbtdYEJmTDMUjN5DKHgFJhPhsbxVNk43eYP0WUKjPZ3x-vPi7rYxDql5d8S8FEdvdg~YP9NDNkjUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Fort Lauderdale, FL","date","2025-05-09T21:09:20Z","article","Angela Martinez, acting IT director, told the Budget Advisory Board the department is operating lean and requested several decision packages to modernize servers, tighten endpoint and account governance, expand cybersecurity professional services and augment service-desk and asset logistics staffing.

The request is framed against the department’s recent modernization work and the April 2023 flood that accelerated migrations to cloud and forced immediate equipment moves; Martinez described a two‑year replacement plan for on-prem servers with FY26 end-of-life dates, an endpoint-management purchase to identify unmanaged devices and administrative access, and cybersecurity professional services to reduce successful phishing incidents.

\"We have produced 11,355 phishing emails. Out of 11,355, 1,460 were recorded as failures in a period of six months, of which 480 are associated with individuals entering their password into a link,\" Angela Martinez, acting IT director, said. She said the department has identified repeat clickers and plans targeted training, including partnering with community organizations for cybersecurity awareness work.

Martinez proposed hiring temporary service‑desk augmentation to reduce average call handling time and fund analytics and automation (for example, self‑service password reset). She also requested a part‑time asset-management/logistics position to reduce engineers’ travel time to a remote storage yard and to implement barcoding and chain-of-custody scanning for high‑value equipment.

Other requests included Esri/GIS professional services to optimize citywide mapping applications, continued funding for radio-shop preventive maintenance (previously contracted and now proposed to be brought in-house), and modest funding for endpoint and identity controls. Martinez emphasized that IT supports roughly 3,000 active employees and operates at about $9,000 per employee in staff-cost terms compared with typical market ranges of $12,000–$15,000.

Board members probed the phishing metrics, training and timelines. Martinez said targeted department-level training will begin immediately if funding is approved and that professional services would help stabilize controls in 6–12 months. She noted the IT move to a leased facility after the 2023 flood and explained the part-time logistics role is intended to cut repeated engineer travel and associated labor cost.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget Advisory Board Meeting 05.07.25","oneSentenceSummary","Angela Martinez, acting IT director, told the Budget Advisory Board the department is operating lean and requested several decision packages to modernize servers, tighten endpoint and account governance, expand cybersecurity professional services and augment service-desk and asset logistics staffing.","taxTitle","Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida","taxId",4849,"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},6241613,"Finance department asks board for three hires, p‑card audit and proposes bringing treasuries in-house to save advisor fees",1783,1093000,2876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255345-4fb22988de32830fd19fc9efd67086e7&start=1093&end=2876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255345-4fb22988de32830fd19fc9efd67086e7/thumbnail_1093000.jpg","/articles/6241613/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Finance-department-asks-board-for-three-hires-pcard-audit-and-proposes-bringing-treasuries-in-house-to-save-advisor-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241613-103e802223c13fd6fb10c7d08092d3b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175364&Signature=D0xp-iz1~73errYwIQOzEOdqkYeHNMv3NGbGW0X2rJkVK3CCf3KdeATC~YZ5IVe3Ixzy-5ZvQ1gm-QTDjJYsqLw6jOjijswL4aFY0snDBOtBNoBpkNt64Mezb1w9sVkm-km9zzvZ8W1n0S4sFY-Hx8zg8M7m-KjjSFMAH8M0YM8tXKAH5rZSUOFstlKtY99Dfn6aXL-eO5uFeU-hFQ5izS3L85KuCV4MAraF91qoMTzxX1KmqLje2diqcby2daNBL5y7CUH-A6tTz9gjnQp-UzCUcFsK0b1GpLd8tWwhGwf6qrKK-7reNwYcLT4fcQZXjRSDbOx47xvQ72-GyQ5HYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Lauderdale Finance Department told the Budget Advisory Board it needs staffing additions to process a dramatic increase in transaction volume after a recent enterprise-resource-planning rollout and proposed a third-party p‑card audit and converting an outsourced short-term treasury portfolio to in-house management.

Finance said the ERP implementation moved the city from summary postings to recording each transaction live, increasing workload and delaying financial reporting; the department reported it currently remains roughly six months behind month-end reporting and would seek one accountant, one accounts-payable clerical hire and funds for a third-party p‑card review to improve timeliness and internal controls.

“Every bank hit, every credit card hit are all individual transactions,” the finance presenter Linda (Finance department presenter) said. She told the board the accounting and financial reporting unit must reconcile a heavier volume of transactions—especially capital-project activity—and that adding an accountant would create redundancies and speed reporting.

On accounts-payable, the department explained it processes vendor payments under the Florida Prompt Payment Act but cannot control the time departments take to review invoices; once department approval arrives, Finance said it pays within seven to ten days. Finance reported an average vendor-payment lag of about 43–44 days and said an additional clerical position would improve follow-up with departments and target a 30-day benchmark.

Finance also asked for a contracted p‑card audit. The department said its p‑card program processes over $70,000,000 in transactions and currently audits roughly 10 percent of transactions internally; Finance requested a third-party review (proposed quarterly scope) to supplement internal checks and guard against fraud. The presenter said the $40,000 quote on file was an older estimate and would be updated.

On investments, Finance reported a short-term treasury balance in excess of $200,000,000 and proposed bringing the short-term portfolio management back in-house to save approximately $110,000 a year in advisor fees. The department said the custodial account is already available for in-house laddering of treasuries and that the city currently has a contract with PFM Asset Management that would be re-evaluated at renewal.

Board members pressed on fraud risk, the scope of the p‑card audit, and whether credit-card convenience fees have reduced card use. Finance said credit card usage has not fallen materially; the city stopped paying about $1.8 million in annual card-processing fees citywide when customers began paying convenience fees through the provider, producing fund-level savings though not a direct revenue stream to the city.

The department did not seek a board vote at the workshop; requested positions and the investment recommendation will be part of the formal budget submittal and any future procurement or contract decisions.","Finance presented staffing requests to handle transaction volume after an ERP rollout, proposed a third-party audit of the city p‑card program, and floated returning the city’s short-term treasury portfolio in-house to reduce advisor fees.",{"_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},6241614,"Fort Lauderdale HR seeks $125,000 for pay study, proposes FMLA, training and retirement staffing changes",829,214000,1043000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255345-4fb22988de32830fd19fc9efd67086e7&start=214&end=1043","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255345-4fb22988de32830fd19fc9efd67086e7/thumbnail_214000.jpg","/articles/6241614/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Fort-Lauderdale-HR-seeks-125000-for-pay-study-proposes-FMLA-training-and-retirement-staffing-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241614-bd438fc284322bece9668a54cb007ae0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175364&Signature=MW1y9dhuyIriNl72cvlP6E-fcOhesdRO9NZx0hdULL13yMUlpj3DLb9Yn36yj6cQ2tI6ukyONPXO00S3Ou64eiRR~bodAlJshQ~Z6JgEYUtxrSaWpEPztcYnS576fXhI1gWZnVOJUvdslAxYJQ4YQq5WbvwzEYzc7bMhG1b53gKiUSWV8xokCcXqgd6XfmR1lpav5Hh2AotwYkeFtayTH02b9I~60AHAo9yBTwhLSJQsdi6n3FSgxloIzChmyrcDJsfjeqCP5489d91pGuFigUZ9U6zZ1427pzVc4NFWVsKFtDVsk~lLcLD4LlsbEDJSQJuRP-bsGcLm0QZTkswSJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Human Resources presented its FY decision packages to the Fort Lauderdale Budget Advisory Board, asking for a $125,000 classification-and-compensation study and a set of staffing changes intended to address recruiting, pay equity and expanded benefits administration.

The request matters because HR leaders told the board the city’s last comprehensive comp study was done in 2017 and implemented in 2018, leaving pay data eight years old and contributing to hiring above range midpoints and internal equity pressure. HR asked the board to consider converting a three-quarter Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) administrator to full time, moving training functions to contracted professional services while eliminating one training specialist FTE, and adding a part-time retirement specialist to improve timeliness and compliance with state retirement rules.

Jerome (Human Resources presenter) told the board the classification-and-compensation package would fund a comprehensive study and benchmarking primarily within the state and among employers the city considers comparable. “Largely the ability to recruit and retain,” Jerome said, “and in that vein I was going to be asking for a classification and compensation study.” He asked the board to note the last study’s data is now eight years old and that a typical life cycle for a comp study is about five years.

On the FMLA position, HR said the current part-time role is actually a three-quarter position that investigates leave eligibility, gathers sensitive documentation and now administers the new parental-leave benefit begun January 1 for nonunion employees. HR requested converting that role to full-time because of continued high FMLA volume since 2021 and the new administrative workload tied to parental leave and collective-bargaining negotiations.

HR proposed moving one training specialist from an FTE to contracted professional services. The department said it would relinquish a $130,000 FTE (saving roughly $80,000) and retain about $50,000 to pay outside trainers for active-shooter, cybersecurity and compliance training, reflecting “industry best practice” and concerns about the trauma of certain on-site interactive training.

A second staffing request is a part-time retirement specialist to administer Florida Retirement System (FRS) requirements, track employees who become FRS-eligible after six months, and reduce late-contribution penalties the city has incurred. HR described that responsibility as having moved to HR with the new HRIS and said benefit staff lack the specialized background to manage FRS and defined-contribution inquiries efficiently.

Board members asked about sign-on bonuses and internal equity. HR said sign-on incentives (used by the police department and funded from salary savings) are a tool HR can use. On equity, Jerome said the study would review starting and maximum rates so the city could adjust ranges and provide internal career-ladder opportunities rather than across-the-board raises for employees already at range maximums.

The board did not take a formal vote at this workshop-style session; HR indicated these decision packages will be included in the formal budget submission for the city manager’s review.

Less-urgent budget items and next steps include finalizing vendor bids for the comp study and refining the professional-services scope for training. HR asked the board to flag any recommendations for the upcoming regular meeting where the board may take official positions.","Human Resources presented decision packages to the Budget Advisory Board asking for a $125,000 classification-and-compensation study and adjustments to FMLA, training and retirement-support staffing to address recruiting, internal equity and workload created by new benefits and systems.",{"_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},6241604,"CRA staff brief board on proposed 10‑year, 50% extension for Northwest CRA and tradeoffs for city services",2353,5363000,7716000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255345-4fb22988de32830fd19fc9efd67086e7&start=5363&end=7716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255345-4fb22988de32830fd19fc9efd67086e7/thumbnail_5363000.jpg","/articles/6241604/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/CRA-staff-brief-board-on-proposed-10year-50-extension-for-Northwest-CRA-and-tradeoffs-for-city-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241604-1af1d27b22d20328db19b3b0e3c132de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175364&Signature=h1cpH9z97BGN~LaXHEKvCpdlwyHiREKSW33MKtJ62p8TZIWmY6AGGYK5fGAkxDkFygUaTyQzT0X2lwCMtJVTQi7qA4cStbxEWKBenUeLHwZ~2DwAIipddASRon~mrjJpzryKgRoqHpTWyw9pzRIE9pgsXm0g1M1RPJnXUpHA4LF5XTXhe6SNlxQHK18~GB6HDOAS~jgA~r5qA7kyvpbbBvd3DXXhfTz-nCZTQOH0Ey8w~wOZJoIVRafixWJAELGlGOXAA6UPfy-8QFZCJOADT5CBeKGIJGDHvrW2xgNJmkunMFp08hUme7C21FKQSo20EXJtEPjkTYPxlaV-xlSkwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City CRA staff briefed the Budget Advisory Board on a commission-directed plan to seek a 10‑year extension of the Northwest Progressive Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) at 50% of the tax increment. Staff said they have been working with Broward County on an interlocal agreement (ILA) to present to the commission during the present budget cycle.

The extension matters because it would change how much incremental ad-valorem revenue flows to the CRA area. CRA staff said a 50% contribution from the city would reduce the city’s portion of TIF from about $12 million to $6 million for the extended period; Broward County and other taxing authorities declined to continue matching contributions at the same level, though the county has funded affordable-housing projects in the past.

Clarence (CRA manager) described the TIF mechanism and base-year calculation used to generate CRA revenues, and the staff presentation showed the Northwest area has accumulated roughly $44 million in allocated project funding across multiple projects. Staff said much of that funding is already committed by contract or program and that approximately $8–9 million in currently available funds (including a $5.9 million item under discussion for Carter Park) remains for allocation in the near term.

CRA staff explained statutory and plan-based limits on TIF spending. They said state law and the CRA’s redevelopment plan constrain use of CRA funds to redevelopment and capital or real-estate-related investments within the CRA boundaries and do not allow direct spending on routine general-government services (for example, basic police or fire operations) outside the plan’s scope. Staff also noted the plan must be amended and an amended-and-restated redevelopment plan adopted if the extension proceeds; that amended plan would be subject to county approval.

Board members asked for more granular data on project allocations, completion status and affordable-housing units in the pipeline. Staff answered that many projects are approved and in various stages—some under construction, some permitted and awaiting vertical construction—and that the listed $44 million is largely allocated to projects at varying completion levels; staff provided a breakout showing several projects with partial disbursements and a group of twelve projects at earlier stages of implementation.

CRA staff said the commission asked for a two‑year review cadence should the extension be approved, giving elected officials periodic opportunity to revisit the arrangement. Staff also described steps the city is taking to reorganize Invest Fort Lauderdale (a nonprofit community-development vehicle) so it can pursue philanthropic and other non‑tax funding to augment redevelopment work after any CRA sunset.","CRA staff told the Budget Advisory Board the city commission directed staff to pursue an interlocal agreement to extend the Northwest Progressive CRA for 10 years at a 50% tax-increment financing rate; staff flagged constraints on using TIF revenues for general-city services and provided project-allocation context.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Acting IT director asks for server replacement plan, cybersecurity staffing and service‑desk support after 2023 flood and ERP impacts

Finance department asks board for three hires, p‑card audit and proposes bringing treasuries in-house to save advisor fees

Fort Lauderdale HR seeks $125,000 for pay study, proposes FMLA, training and retirement staffing changes

CRA staff brief board on proposed 10‑year, 50% extension for Northwest CRA and tradeoffs for city services