[{"_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",6204688,"mediaKeyId","3778359-c320b243b6a56596a5d1da756a4bb723","parentId",3778359,"title","Budget advisers ask for deeper dive on business taxes, staff to return with options","audioSeconds",608,"startMs",6300000,"endMs",6908000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3778359-c320b243b6a56596a5d1da756a4bb723&start=6300&end=6908","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3778359-c320b243b6a56596a5d1da756a4bb723/thumbnail_6300000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6204688/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Budget-advisers-ask-for-deeper-dive-on-business-taxes-staff-to-return-with-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204688-e61c578d81df382f5cb65776b1564533/orig.mp4?Expires=1770837389&Signature=doxlk1jOs4UExHtVnm--wHLNQ4K0nDVtY5bn1pX~HGpxIy4baWza56l09114ki6Y3M6r6A2czx6bhVqoSOvCtGqjgt8ZQC0G7xY71EGK76ySakkeQ0jnrHTG8Wa230KFLlVklh7IErMw5ZpyBcy2IZ6LD0EYxNGTIGG0GUZ~CsxWlnRHihn8us2HILEXB0Qhdxfg~EnCEYePZqo4bB9HaJrV0ZthHgFibvsatOM0ppRj~mQLkpRzaKDy39Kc1gt5sN66N0tSbKxUmOS-dYtdJmG2jRs7QhqGlJqmWLwdsdtvnP0PY~Kur8yFESaE1mzVvVzX33t0xgzCYDsMpBbzBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Fort Lauderdale, FL","date","2025-06-12T02:34:48.12Z","article","Fort Lauderdale staff provided the Budget Advisory Board with a revenue‑review packet that included benchmarking on business tax receipts, development review fees and other service charges; the board asked staff to return with more detailed proposals rather than endorse immediate rate changes.

Staff noted legal and practical limits and offered background figures: “The most we can increase it is 5% every other year,” a staff presenter said, summarizing statutory constraints on business‑tax adjustments.

Why it matters: business‑tax and fee changes can produce recurring revenue the city may use to fund priorities such as the proposed emergency reserve or ongoing services. Board members expressed concern about impacts on small, locally owned retailers and asked staff to consider differentiated approaches or protections for small businesses.

Board action: members did not adopt specific rate increases; instead they instructed staff to take a deeper dive into several categories (business tax receipts, fire/ambulance transport fees and parks and recreation charges) and return with analyses and recommended language where appropriate. Staff said some changes require significant lead time to implement and that the packet was intended to start discussion.

Details: staff provided an example that a modest business‑tax increase would raise modest per‑business costs but scale across thousands of businesses; staff also said some fees have not been adjusted in 10+ years. The board discussed concerns about downtown retail and rising rents, and asked staff to consider impacts on small operators.

Next steps: staff will present targeted proposals and revenue estimates in follow‑up meetings and to the city commission as appropriate during the budget process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget Advisory Board meeting on 06.11.25","oneSentenceSummary","The board reviewed a staff packet on business taxes and other fees and asked for more time for targeted analysis; staff noted state limits on business‑tax increases and that the packet was informational rather than a formal recommendation.","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},6204693,"City proposes supportive sheltering, safe‑parking pilot and contracts with service providers",287,1782000,2069000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3778359-c320b243b6a56596a5d1da756a4bb723&start=1782&end=2069","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3778359-c320b243b6a56596a5d1da756a4bb723/thumbnail_1782000.jpg","/articles/6204693/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/City-proposes-supportive-sheltering-safeparking-pilot-and-contracts-with-service-providers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204693-5e0a8c8bc70699f6f8b7fdcfd065ae85/orig.mp4?Expires=1770837389&Signature=EZ44ZnrHDN3q-hf35nKHImlGP3US1iXOUCtfNufAkb1sOr4w~9ZPUeEtukh-lquWR78tZZo1wX2HMoX7I8tNnzYHrPxCAfGLlEOfgcrFI5wHFbHSVWCeZvfVtiJo70oFV7Z7u5N8ljCAfiDxVSYePlIJe-3Qu0791By18a5~SOEITGKf1lvpEyeH7t~ELIejkXv5FPGU-tDRappYsBJsmpu65H71~4qFAxhUntzrZTTSQPMIRU6p1BDICk2bcqF8dXHAOBDfpMT5I~r9LiWTNJfSQV9BDnKaVm8kr0AjOTJuMorCyND~ZqHlm5y4C81pX0YX7ejQRJnlhxYqROHBew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented homelessness initiatives in the preliminary FY‑26 budget that include supportive sheltering for people with specific behavioral‑health or substance‑use needs, a safe‑parking pilot and renewed contracts with experienced service providers.

“Supportive sheltering services for condition‑specific housing that’s related to mental health support as well as substance abuse support ... will support 20 people at any given time,” a staff presenter said when summarizing the manager’s office initiatives.

Why it matters: staff framed the proposals as a mix of short‑term interventions and a path to more sustainable housing outcomes. The city said it is contracting with experienced providers, including Miami Rescue Mission and other partners, and that work includes performance measures tied to the contracts. Staff confirmed a current allocation of $250,000 for an existing contract referenced in the briefing.

Board members pressed staff for clarity on capacity and county bed counts. Staff said Broward Partnership and local providers operate roughly 600–700 emergency shelter beds in the county and that Fort Lauderdale is likely to have about 700 sheltered people in the city at any given time, though they cautioned bed counts fluctuate and some people offered shelter refuse it.

Other measures discussed include use of HUD administrative funds for program administration (income verification, intake) while other funding would pay for temporary assistance to keep municipal water service on for eligible households; staff said the municipal services affordability program would help as many as 300 families at risk of water shutoffs.

Board direction and next steps: the board asked staff to return with more detail on program partners, bed capacity goals and the mechanics of contracts and performance metrics. Staff said they are pursuing state funds and philanthropic partners, including a requested $500,000 state appropriation paired with United Way support for additional shelter space, and will continue to seek grants to bridge funding gaps.

Details and caveats: staff emphasized the city uses formal contracts with performance outcomes and that program models are intended to integrate with the county’s continuum of care rather than operate separately. Board members reiterated concerns about enforcement and capacity when shelter is offered but refused.","As part of the preliminary budget, staff proposed targeted supportive sheltering for about 20 people, a safe‑parking pilot and continued contracts with service providers; board members pressed for bed counts and program details.",{"_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},6204698,"Advisory board backs $75 fire assessment increase to fund new stations and equipment",137,1079000,1216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3778359-c320b243b6a56596a5d1da756a4bb723&start=1079&end=1216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3778359-c320b243b6a56596a5d1da756a4bb723/thumbnail_1079000.jpg","/articles/6204698/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Advisory-board-backs-75-fire-assessment-increase-to-fund-new-stations-and-equipment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204698-7e067f129a878fbb3d86b7bc632174a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770837389&Signature=fMw4pG0N2mi9Yy2kiYUBlmc3GPukQkJCCwH1wBQo26UEwSJOuvbuO3f5odYjrWBzZ6muDkWv6pjF2WdoltnPW2A8Xrt8YqK9OZfU4AiB-OzmqqicfhJvzNRKwgsDas0vlAQgMx~zu0lxSj3FjDNf0~N0A0wqw9blQ3j4LWtUBjZHVyzHEOsTqWCUi6EyNxab3aXv~RRqUaxOG3h2O8rByEiGkIzx697RYiNfyZsQKe5cm-JCNXfI~tzyQgZQGknHhwtZR7xD5Hoqim7bcMJQi6Y5WpzwrzcNe8-VLptEe8GDP4AqRYnHBWGGwHxrwdJe83cedzg9R8o6TaZ2lh5WMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fort Lauderdale’s Budget Advisory Board signaled support for a proposed increase to the city’s fire assessment that staff says would generate about $10.4 million and fund fire capital projects.

Staff told the board the assessment is being raised to full cost recovery to reflect operational changes and capital needs. “We’re recommending a full cost recovery,” Laura Reese said during the presentation, describing a consultant’s study of effective response units and operations.

Why it matters: staff said the additional assessment revenue would be directed toward capital investments including EMS Substation 88, the Heron Garage Substation and Fire Station 13 — projects staff and the manager described as long‑deferred priorities for the department.

Impact for property owners: staff presented an example that the average single‑family taxable value in Fort Lauderdale is $641,000 and estimated the combined impacts of proposed changes would be about $183 a year for an average single‑family homeowner, or roughly $15.25 a month. Staff also noted a 15% stormwater assessment increase that would add about $49 annually for the typical property.

Board action: the advisory board supported the manager’s recommendation on the fire assessment during its meeting and moved an endorsement to the commission for consideration as part of the FY‑26 budget process.

Details and caveats: staff said the recommended increase reflects operational changes detected in a full cost recovery study — for example, staffing changes in EMS responses that alter how effective response units are counted. The board and staff discussed how assessment charges apply per residential unit (condo units are billed per unit). Staff also noted future operating costs associated with new or reopened stations.

Next steps: staff will present the assessment change, supporting study and recommended ordinance language to the city commission as part of the formal budget and rate‑setting process.","The board supported the city manager’s recommendation to move to full cost recovery for the fire assessment, a $75 annual per‑unit increase aimed at capital projects including EMS Substation 88 and Fire Station 13.",{"_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},6204703,"Budget advisers back using PFAS settlement to seed emergency reserve in preliminary FY‑26 plan",415,194000,609000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3778359-c320b243b6a56596a5d1da756a4bb723&start=194&end=609","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3778359-c320b243b6a56596a5d1da756a4bb723/thumbnail_194000.jpg","/articles/6204703/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Budget-advisers-back-using-PFAS-settlement-to-seed-emergency-reserve-in-preliminary-FY26-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204703-7917a45a0dfc4d5fbdd5402e7ada816f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770837389&Signature=A-BkE1zQ7DpStIi8jWZTmJBMSrTTYv664hwrJVu8ZGIYa50tGz7fzQFEF071iNERzjZkEJeuyqpZf0wPAuViOf2XhZcfMHYL~wDdh5Ojv9Ch0En0H5tTpru7-IRgh5NudggrmyaR1tAbuXUhEbyAIY~TZ6VxBnCBa-DQ-ynZ92rQ4dZlh66D5OJa0zt~AtFoGwH2B3kOAnDecyhMetXoavNrBDOQOlkKZukNIo0tfgJ2-PO3AcOxRaB7NaotR-Cf4g2gV2JZ5-mUeBkQ5kFNwAvi~Ha~7qZpueV4XVTCmDSOBEuLI9FImmMWlT4tvqBqmFyGVB8qhpKMLesGZnPU5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fort Lauderdale’s Budget Advisory Board on Wednesday endorsed the city manager’s preliminary FY‑26 budget direction and recommended establishing an emergency management reserve funded with proceeds from a PFAS settlement.

The recommendation follows the city manager’s presentation that the city expects about $14.3 million in PFAS settlement proceeds in the current fiscal year and roughly $4.8 million in fiscal 2026. “We’re proposing an emergency management reserve,” the city manager said during the presentation.

Why it matters: staff said the reserve is intended to cover emergency costs that may not be reimbursed by FEMA. The city cited increased uncertainty around federal disaster reimbursements and the need to ensure ready funding for hurricane season, hazardous‑materials responses and other emergencies.

Board members heard staff walk through major revenue changes that underpin the preliminary plan. The county‑wide taxable value roll produced an estimated $17.1 million in ad valorem revenue for the city compared with the prior year, and staff said one‑time sources make this a year to address long‑deferred capital needs. The manager described capital projects and public safety facilities as priorities the city can fund now without relying on ongoing increases.

Board members unanimously moved to recommend creation of an emergency management reserve, with a proviso that staff draft parameters and guardrails for how the reserve would be funded and spent. The board’s motion was recorded as passed.

Staff cautioned that the PFAS settlement money is largely one‑time revenue and that best practice is to spend such funds on one‑time projects or reserves rather than recurring operating expenses. “When you have a one‑time funding source, it’s best to use it for one‑time purpose,” the city manager said in the meeting.

Next steps: staff will bring proposed ordinance language and guardrails for the reserve to future meetings and to the city commission as part of the formal budget process. The city’s proposed FY‑26 budget will go through a joint workshop with the city commission in the coming weeks.

Details: staff also noted recent changes that affect future budget planning, including a Broward County action to extend the city’s CRA and increased franchise and utility revenues tied to higher usage or rates. The board asked staff to return with recommended ordinance language that would set thresholds, authorized uses and governance for the proposed emergency reserve.","Fort Lauderdale budget advisers supported a preliminary FY‑26 budget that leans on one‑time PFAS settlement receipts to create an emergency management reserve, while highlighting planned investments in capital and public safety.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Budget advisers ask for deeper dive on business taxes, staff to return with options

City proposes supportive sheltering, safe‑parking pilot and contracts with service providers

Advisory board backs $75 fire assessment increase to fund new stations and equipment

Budget advisers back using PFAS settlement to seed emergency reserve in preliminary FY‑26 plan