From David Volz
The Fort Lauderdale Commission Discussed the upcoming annual budget during a recent meeting.
The Commission reviewed the City’s Tentative Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which totals approximately $1.3 billion and maintains the current millage rate of 4.1193. The tentative budget continues funding for essential City services and invests in infrastructure, public safety and neighborhood improvements. It also includes funding for major capital projects such as seawalls, bridges, roadways, sidewalks, parks and public spaces. The Commission will continue reviewing the tentative budget before final adoption, with public budget hearings scheduled for September 9 and September 14.
The CRA Board approved $2.5 million in Development Incentive Program funding for a new Holy Cross Health facility at 200 East Sunrise Boulevard. The two-story facility will include a freestanding emergency department, medical clinic and outpatient and ambulatory surgery center. The approximately $83.8 million project is expected to create about 200 jobs and expand access to health care services for residents in the Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Heights CRA. The first phase is expected to be completed by fall 2027, with the second phase completed by 2029.
The Commission received an update on approximately $27.9million in bond funding dedicated to roadway and sidewalk improvements throughout the City. The funding includes $16.1 million for roadway improvements and $11.8 million for sidewalk improvements, with $2 million in each category allocated to each Commission District for district-specific projects. The improvements will address deteriorated roadways, sidewalk repairs and ADA accessibility issues, while also providing opportunities to construct new sidewalks and incorporate traffic calming improvements. The roadway and sidewalk improvements are anticipated to take approximately 18 to 24 months to complete.
The Commission received an update on Broward County’s Resilient Broward Grant Program, a new initiative aimed at accelerating flood resilience projects throughout the county. Broward County has allocated $20 million to help fund projects that reduce flood risk, including improvements to pumps, culverts and water control structures. The program will provide up to a 25% cost share for eligible projects, with funding available for design, permitting and construction. City staff are reviewing projects within Fort Lauderdale’s Capital Improvement Plan and Fortify Lauderdale to identify opportunities to secure County funding and advance planned stormwater improvements.
