County Mayor Steve Geller delivers State of the County 2021 Address
From David Volz
Broward County Mayor Steve Geller delivered the State of the County 2021 Address today highlighting the accomplishments of the past year.
Today is the last day that Mayor Geller will serve as Mayor, though he will continue his term as Commissioner of Broward County District 5.
“My term as Mayor was interesting,” said Mayor Geller. “I was the face of Broward during the worst pandemic in our lifetimes. My main focus was protecting the life and health of Broward residents while balancing this with protecting our economy,” said Geller.
In the 2021 Broward State of the County Address, the Mayor said that he consistently and personally consulted with national and local health experts regarding COVID-19 as the number of positive cases escalated and declined throughout the year.
“The State of the County is good and recovering,” said Mayor Geller. He says the average number of new cases in Broward is eight per 100,000 of population. “We went up to 144 in August. We are better than we were, but still in a cautionary stage. With everyone getting together for the holidays I fear a future outbreak, especially among the unvaccinated.”
Mayor Geller focused on creating jobs over the past year and discussed the numerous approaches that were taken to increase employment and stabilize the economy.
“I’m very pleased with the creation of a Film Commission. I met throughout the year with major players in the industry to solicit ideas and insight. The Film Commission will bring back filming incentives, jobs, revenue and bring new promotional and branding opportunities to Broward County,” said Geller.
Technology got a big boost in Broward County with the opening of the Alan B. Levan/NSU Center of Innovation. “I felt that the $6.7 million dollars in matching funds that I helped through the budget process will go a long way in helping start up technology companies and innovation collaboratives,” Geller noted.
The creation of the Broward County Construction Apprenticeship Program will create a skilled workforce. “I authored this ordinance that requires labor hours on large County funded construction projects be performed by apprentices. This will give people the skills they need to create a positive, stable future. This program is of benefit to all,” said Geller.
He also noted the continuation of the Mayors’ Labor Council and the Building Trades meeting scheduled on Thursday, November 18th at the NSU Center of Innovation, beginning at 9:00AM. “I am a strong believer in organized labor. I believe that everyone needs post high school job training, but not everyone needs a 4-year college degree to earn a good living,” said Geller.
The economic engines that drive Broward County are recovering post pandemic. Port Everglades reached “a record month in July for cargo volumes,” said Geller and he talked about the recent announcement that Disney Cruise Line will begin operating at Port Everglades in Fall of 2023.
Passenger traffic at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International airport continues to improve and tourism has quickly recovered. According to Mayor Geller, Visit Lauderdale reports that leisure visitors were “king this summer with record setting rates” for hotel occupancy. Tourist Development Tax collections are currently up 35% from last year, said Geller.
Protecting Broward County’s water and environment also took center stage. The Mayor noted the importance of a new updated Central and South Florida Restudy. “Sea level rise is impacting our canal capacity. This must remain a top priority,” Geller said.
Other accomplishments include the completion of the Lauderhill Transit Center, the opening of the top floor of the new Broward County Courthouse and the future groundbreaking of the new Nancy J. Cotterman Center.
On a more somber note, the Mayor expressed condolences for the nearly 4,900 people who have died from the Coronavirus in Broward. “I want people to know that you are thought of, and we do realize the extreme pain and suffering that has befallen us,” said Geller.
The Broward County Charter stipulates that Commissioners, elected from single member districts, vote annually in November for the position of Mayor and Vice Mayor.
Broward Commissioner Michael Udine will serve this year as the new Mayor and Commissioner Lamar P. Fisher was selected to serve as Vice Mayor.
Geller thanked his staff, County Administration and “thank you to the people who choose to call Broward County home. Everything we do as elected officials, we do with you in mind,” Geller said.
