The Pembroke Pines City Commission adopted several ordinances, budget amendments and bond-related resolutions during its Aug. 20 meeting, approving second readings and budgeting actions and authorizing steps for a competitive sale of refunding bonds.

Key votes and outcomes
- Ordinance (Item 13): The commission passed Ordinance No. 2025-09, amending the city code’s definition of "tax collector." The ordinance passed on second and final reading by unanimous vote.
- Bond refinancing authorization (Item 14): The commission passed an ordinance authorizing issuance of indebtedness to refund some or all of the city’s outstanding $76,045,000 general obligation bonds, series 2015. The commission approved the ordinance on second and final reading.
- School budget amendments (Items 16 & 17): The commission approved budget amendments for the Pembroke Pines charter schools and Florida State University Charter Elementary School for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024.
- Competitive refunding authorization and sale mechanics (Item 18): The commission adopted a resolution authorizing issuance of up to $50,000,000 of general obligation refunding bonds (series 2025), delegated award authority to the city manager or designee, and approved forms and notices necessary to pursue a competitive sale. The resolution passed unanimously.

Estimated savings
John Ford, the city’s municipal adviser, told the commission the estimated cash-flow savings from refinancing (based on morning market rates) were about $4.46 million total — an average of about $408,000 per year — with net present-value savings estimated at about $3.7 million after fees.

Procedural notes
Several of these items required public hearings or second/final readings; the commission handled the motions, roll-call votes and recordation required for final action. The votes were unanimous where recorded on the meeting record.

The city’s administration and financial advisers will proceed with steps required by the adopted resolution to advertise the sale, present bids, and (subject to award by the city manager or designee) close the refunding transaction.