Lauderhill officials outline RISE Lauderhill general obligation bond ahead of March 10 vote

Lauderhill City officials presented details of a proposed general obligation measure, called RISE Lauderhill, at a town hall at the Environ Cultural Center and said the bond will be on the ballot for a vote on March 10. City Manager Kenny Hobbs said the plan collects projects identified by residents over the last decade and organizes them into four focus areas: roads, infrastructure, safety and environment.

"Everything that's included in the presentation today as it relates to the specific improvements came from the ground up," Hobbs said, describing consultations at town halls, HOA meetings and the budget process. He said the city sought a reimbursement resolution so staff can begin preliminary design work if the bond is approved.

Hobbs told attendees the commission has made clear it does not intend to increase the debt millage rate to complete the projects: the city will structure financing to avoid raising the debt rate while paying for the work. He said Deputy City Manager and Finance Director Sean Henderson will present detailed financing figures to the commission as the vote approaches.

The town hall included presentations from department directors who outlined specific uses for bond proceeds, from roadway resurfacing and drainage upgrades to park renovations and public-safety facilities. Officials said the bond would support a mix of capital projects across six geographic areas of the city rather than concentrating spending in a single neighborhood.

Next steps: the commission is scheduled to take the bond measure to voters on March 10; the town hall was presented to inform that ballot question and collect resident feedback via an on-screen QR survey.