The Landings & Bay Colony

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AWARD-WINNING BUDGET:Speaking of the budget,
congratulations are also in order for the Budget/CIP and
Grants Division for earning the Distinguished Budget
Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers
Association (GFOA). This award is the highest form of
recognition in governmental budgeting, and is a
prestigious achievement for our entire organization. In
order to qualify, we had to meet nationally-recognized
guidelines along with 14 specific criteria related to our
budget, financial plan, operations guide, and
communications. This award speaks volumes about the
tremendous leadership, dedication and commitment of our
Budget Division, as well as all our Community Builders who
contribute to this process. Thanks to staff for adhering to
stringent principles and best practices to create a quality
budget, while ensuring sound management of our financial
resources. Congratulations on this fantastic achievement!

SURTAX RESOLUTION:This article was in our July/August
newsletter but I felt it important to repeat:
The County Commission held a special meeting on June
24th and took actions to address the Transportation and
Infrastructure Surtax issues. The County Commission
approved a ½ cent surtax for Transportation and ½ cent
surtax for Infrastructure to appear on the November 2016
ballot. If approved by voters, this would raise the sales tax
in Broward County from 6% to 7%. According to the
Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO),
approximately 31% of this increase would be borne by
tourists. The framework for distribution and use of the funds
were also approved via an interlocal agreement. The major
terms of the Agreement include the following:

• 30 year Transportation and Infrastructure Surtax time period
• ½ cent Transportation tax is allocated 100% to county
• ½ cent Infrastructure tax is allocated 100% to cities 

(per capita) for 20 years

• Year 21 the infrastructure tax is split between the cities

and county with cities receiving 60% and county 40%
(10 year split of tax revenues)

• Establishing an independent nine member Transportation

and Surtax Oversight Board:
• One former elected official
• One former City or County Manager
• One Certified Public Accountant
• On member of the Florid Bar
• One finance professional
• One urban planning or land use professional

• One engineering or construction management professional
• One professional architect
• One professional environmental scientist

The above Board will be appointed by:
• Designee of the President of 

Nova Southeastern University

• Designee of the Broward Workshop
• Designee of the Broward County Council of 

Chambers of Commerce

• The joint designee of the Broward County Auditor and

the Broward League of Cities” Auditor

• Director of the Florida Atlantic University Center for

Environmental Studies

The above ILA is contingent upon 51% of the cities (via
population count) taking action to: (1) repeal the existing 1
cent uniform Infrastructure surtax resolution and send to
Supervisor of Elections; (2) adopt a uniform resolution for
½ cent Infrastructure surtax; (3) adopt a resolution
approving the County ILA. By the way, it is important to
note that each ballot question is dependent on the other for
passage; voters must approve both or both fail.

OFFICE CONTACT:Robbi Uptegrove – 954-828-5033; 
email: ruptegrove@fortlauderdale.gov 

In addition to hosting two pre-agenda meetings twice a month, I am
also available to attend your HOA meetings to update your
neighborhood on what is going on in the City as well as answer any
questions/concerns you may have. Please contact Robbi to schedule. 

EMAIL LIST:If you would like to be on our email list so that you
receive information pertaining to the City – especially District 1
(i.e. news releases, meeting notices, events), please let Robbi
know and she will add you.

I

Bruce Roberts
District 1 Commissioner

For up-to-date information about city ad and civic matters
in Fort Lauderdale, please visit the City’s website at:
www.fortlauderdale.gov

Commissioner’s Message continued