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City of Hollywood is concerned about Seminole Compact
By David Volz
City of Hollywood leaders are concerned about the Special Legislative Session now taking place regarding to Seminole Compact that was executed on April 23, 2021 by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
This potentially historic new thirty-year gaming Compact restores the State’s relationship with the Tribe and comes with a significant future monetary component. However, to ratify and implement the provisions of the new Compact, the State Legislature must convene in a Special Legislative Session, according to Hollywood City Manager Dr. Wazir Ishmael.
The Compact provides for a revenue sharing of profits collectively at all Seminole casino properties at 3%. Derived from winnings, the share attributable to Hollywood’s two casinos is roughly 30%. That amount is currently further broken down and distributed to the following jurisdictions: City of Hollywood (55%), Broward County (25%), Town of Davie (10%), and City of Dania Beach (10%).
“We received news early Friday that the proposal currently being considered in Tallahassee is a revised breakdown in which the City of Hollywood’s share would drop to 35% and the Town of Davie would increase to 30% with all other jurisdiction percentages remaining the same. Clearly, the news was extremely disappointing. The potential revenue loss to the City of Hollywood will be in the millions. These funds typically are earmarked towards sorely needed police vehicle and fire equipment replacements,” said Ishmael.
“Once the news broke, Hollywood staff, along with our contracted State lobbyists at both Gray Robinson and Becker began working feverishly to strategize a plan of action to counter this proposal,” said Ismael. “Ultimately, it would be our desire to have the legislature consider a proposed amendment intended to restore the previously established percentages. Incidentally, it could be argued, rather than declining, Hollywood’s share should be increasing given the potential new impacts that will come our way,”
As part of Hollywood’s strategy, City staff developed a detailed map indicating not only the fact that Hollywood encircles 78% of the perimeter of the Seminole Reservation, but also that all 19 ingress and 16 egress points from their casino facilities and auxiliary uses traverse solely through Hollywood ROW. This means all entryways and exits face and directly impact Hollywood. To buttress Hollywood’s case, City staff is preparing additional statistics that the City’s lobbyists will be sharing with legislators in Tallahassee. Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy will be accompanying the City’s lobbying team and Police Chief, and they are planning to testify to the Committee. The City of Hollywood wants at least 55% of the revenue sharing, according to Ismael.
City of Hollywood surrounds the Tribal land on the east, south and most of the west side 4 miles. Town of Davie shares border with the tribal land on the north and some of the west side 1.1 mile.
There are 19 Hollywood local roadways that lead to the Tribal lands (Ingress) and 16 Tribal local roads that lead from the reservation to the City of Hollywood roadway network (egress). In contrast, there is only one roadway that connects the City of Davie to the Tribal Land’s local roadways.
These are only the ingress and egress locations. The City’s infrastructure that supports the Tribal land and its residents and patrons extend throughout the City including shopping, parks and recreational facilities, beach access, etc.
The Department of Public Utilities provides water and sewer services to various areas within the Reservation.
Hollywood Police Department ensures increased police activity and patrolling of surrounding businesses and neighborhoods.
Hollywood Fire Rescue Department serves as the primary first responders to Fire related calls and secondary to EMS calls Seminoles provides primary. Davie is unable to run calls for any primary or secondary responses to the Tribal lands due to their inability to muster an Effective Firefighter Force (EFF) as required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for first alarm fire assignments, according to Ishamel
