Commission adopts PACE ordinance changes requiring sworn contractor statements, delays operation 60 days

The Broward County Commission on Jan. 28 adopted several amendments to the county's Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) ordinance after a lengthy public hearing that included comments from multiple PACE providers, consumer advocates and residents who reported disputed property assessments.

Why it matters: PACE programs allow property owners to finance energy, disaster‑hardening and certain property improvements that are repaid through a county‑collected assessment on property tax bills. Changes to local PACE rules affect how providers underwrite projects, the paperwork contractors must supply, consumer disclosures and how quickly companies can operationalize changes — with consequences for homeowners, lenders and local property tax processes.

What the board approved: The commission approved a substitute to Amendment 1b that shifts primary price‑due‑diligence responsibilities toward contractors but places a stronger documentation requirement on projects: contractors must submit a sworn statement and show work supporting their price (either by using Xactimate, RSMeans or an itemized contractor estimate). The commission also approved Amendment 1c adjusting the ordinance's effective date and — after providers and industry groups asked for time to operationalize the revisions — set a 60‑day delay before the local…