Fort Lauderdale Commission approves ordinance on vacation rentals
From David Volz
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission approved the first reading of an ordinance that modifies the vacation rental registration process during a recent meeting. The amendments include requiring that each vacation rental be equipped with a noise-level detection device, increasing the amount of the civil penalty for uncontested and contested violations, adding language to specify the maximum penalty for operating a vacation rental during a suspension, and removing language to limit the certificate of compliance suspension time frames. “I was pleased to introduce this ordinance as the City continues to do as much as we are permitted by the state in dealing with vacation rentals,” said Commissioner Steve Glassman.
The Commission approved a resolution that begins a one-year Code Enforcement Lien Amnesty Program. The program allows the City to settle code enforcement liens on real property for 10% of the lien value. The program, which will run from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, states that the property that is subject of the lien and all properties owned by the property owner must be in full compliance with the City’s Code of Ordinances. All administrative fees, hard costs, and any liens including lot clearing charges, utility liens, board-up charges, demolition charges, civil penalties, vessel removal charges, condemnation costs, and legal fees are exempt from lien amnesty and will not be included in the reduction.
The Commission approved the first reading of an ordinance to amend sections of the City’s Code of Ordinances to provide for increases to tapping charges, water and wastewater rates, master meter charges, service availability charges, sprinkling meter chargers, and private first service charges. The increases will generate the necessary funds for present and future operational and capital project needs across the Water and Sewer Fund. The amendment also aligns the current and future water and sewer rates to the City’s respective cost of services.
The City Commission approved an agreement for the annual sidewalk, asphalt, and paver emergency repair with FG Construction, LLC for an initial two-year term in the amount of $800,000. The agreement authorizes the City Manager to approve two, one-year renewal options in the amount of $400,000 per year, bringing the potential total contract to $1.6 million.
Fort Lauderdale Commission passes millage rate on first reading
From David Volz
The Fort Lauderdale Commission agreed to a resolution to adopt the fiscal year 2024 Tentative Millage Rate for the City of Fort Lauderdale.
The Commission reviewed the proposed millage rate of 4.1193 and the tentative debt service millage of 0.2737 for the City. “The City of Fort Lauderdale has maintained this millage rate for 17 years and no other city in Broward County has done that,” said Commissioner Steve Glassman.
The Commission approved resolutions to adopt the FY 2024 Sunrise Key Neighborhood Improvement District Tentative Millage Rate and Millage Budget. The district set its millage rate at 1.0000 mill and the resolution established a budget of $191,312, which includes estimated revenue generated from this millage rate.
The City Manager presented to the City Commission the FY 2024 Proposed Budget on July 4, 2023. Since that time, modifications have been made to various budgets, and those modifications are reflected in the FY 2024 Tentative Budget. The Tentative Budget of $1.07 billion includes a millage rate of 4.1193 per $1,000 of taxable value and a Fire Assessment Fee of $338 per residential dwelling. Any changes recommended by the Commission will be made before the second public hearing on September 13.
