Commissioners debate Broward Days approach, urge better pre‑arranged meetings and use of lobbyists

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Commissioners at the Broward County Board meeting on Feb. 3 split on the best way to use Broward Days in Tallahassee, with some praising the speaker series and county visibility and others urging a more targeted approach that prioritizes scheduled one‑on‑one meetings with legislators.

Mayor (unnamed in transcript) and multiple commissioners described Broward Days as an opportunity to show a unified Broward presence in Tallahassee, but Commissioner Fisher and others argued that commissioners should have more pre‑set appointments to meet legislators and agency officials.

"If we're up there, having a speaker series could be great. It's great to learn, but the reason I thought we were up there is to meet legislators," the mayor said, adding that staff should set more one‑on‑one meetings. Commissioner Davis said the city delegations she had attended had been able to arrange appointments ahead of time and suggested the county’s staff and lobbyists could do the same.

Several commissioners recommended better coordination with the county’s lobbyists (named staff such as Jared Rosenstein and Candace Erics were referenced in the meeting packet) to pack calendars with targeted meetings and to circulate the county’s adopted legislative priorities in advance so commissioners can plan meetings based on those policy items.

The discussion concluded with general agreement that both elements have value: the speaker series provides access to high‑level officials while targeted meetings accomplish specific county objectives. Commissioners directed staff to work with lobbyists and organizers to improve planning ahead of future Broward Days events.