Broward County Commission Passes 2010 Budget

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners passed the 2010 budget on Tuesday, September 22, without raising property taxes. The $3.3 billion budget decreased by $314 million compared to the 2009 budget. This represents an 8.7 percent decrease from the current year’s budget.

The non-voted countywide millage rate in Broward County remains at 4.8889. Owners of homestead property purchased within the last several years will, on average, pay $264 less than this year and owners of residential property without a homestead exemption are expected to pay, on average, $215 less than in the current year. Property taxes should remain virtually the same for owners of homestead properties who have been long time residents.

Closing a $109 million dollar gap in the taxpayer funded general fund meant that the Commission had to make some cuts in services. Most Broward County parks will be closed two days a week and libraries will close on Sundays. Mandatory five-day furloughs for all Broward employees will be implemented.

“All-in-One” Is the New Way to Recycle Without Sorting

Broward County Waste and Recycling Services and Partner Cities have introduced a more convenient way for residents to recycle at home. Starting October 1, 2009, residents of most Broward County cities and Unincorporated Broward County no longer have to separate recyclable paper from recyclable plastic bottles, metal cans and glass bottles and jars. With the new “All-In-One” single-stream system, recyclables can all be placed together in the same container. Participation may vary by city. For more information, visit All-in-One.

“Know the Flow” Presentation Available for Homeowner Associations

The Natural Resources Planning and Management Division offers a free, fun and informative, 20-minute “Know the Flow” presentation to homeowner associations that teaches residents how to save money, save water and “go green.” All attendees receive prizes. To schedule a presentation for your group, contact Asif Ali at 954-519-1222 or email aali@broward.org.

Census Day Is Coming

It’s just six months until April 1, 2010, the National Census Day that occurs just once every 10 years. The Broward County Census 2010 Complete Count Committee has been working hard to raise awareness of the Census. Our community receives funding for education, public safety, transportation, health care and human services based on Census results, so full participation means accurate funding for Broward County. New streamlined forms take 10 minutes to complete and ask for the name, gender, age, race, ethnicity and relationship to the householder, and whether the householder owns or rents their home. Census speakers are available for homeowner group or association meetings. Visit www.broward.org/census and click SPEAKERS BUREAU, or call Scott Medvin at 954-357-8550.

Water and Wastewater Services Offers Credit for New Toilets

Broward County Water and Wastewater Services (WWS) now offer credits of $100 to customers who replace their high water use toilets with new, high-efficiency model toilets. WWS is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promote their WaterSense® Labeled Toilet Program.

Only customers of Broward County Water and Wastewater Services are eligible to apply. The application will be sent directly to each WWS customer in their regular billing statement. Customers who replace their toilets and submit paid receipts for purchase and proper installation will receive a $100 credit per toilet on their utility bill. Up to two credits per household are allowed. Qualifying high-efficiency toilets are available at most home improvement retail outlets. For additional information, contact Water and Wastewater Services at 954-831-3250.

Featured New Exhibitions at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood

Creations of Miami-based artists Kevin Arrow and Juan Maristany will kick off the 2009-10 season at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood (ACCH). “Natural Forces: Broward County Public Art & Design 2006-2009,” which continues until Tuesday, Nov. 1, is a compilation of completed public art projects by national and internationally renowned artists who were selected and commissioned to create public art through Broward Cultural Division’s Public Art & Design Program. ACCH will exhibit drawings, models and other preparatory works done for these commissions to reveal important aspects of the creative process. Video documentaries and photographs will highlight how these large-scale artworks interface with the public.

Free SAT and ACT Workshops at Broward County Main Library

Broward County Main Library’s Youth Services Section will present a series of free SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and ACT (American College Testing) intensive workshops for college-bound students starting October 31, 2009. From October 2009 to April 2010, the library will offer four free workshops for high school sophomores and juniors that will help them prepare for these two important college prepatory tests. Since space is limited, preregistration is required. Students may preregister by calling 954-357-7504. The Main Library is located at 100 S. Andrews Ave. in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Amendment to Telemarketing Sales Rule Bans Many “Robocalls”

Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division reminds County residents that on September 1, 2009, an amendment to the Telemarketing Sales Rule went into effect, prohibiting most “robocalls.”

This means any business sending prerecorded, unsolicited sales calls without first obtaining the consumer’s written permission can be fined up to $16,000 per call by the Federal Trade Commission. This applies even to consumers whose phone numbers are not on the “Do Not Call” list. The new rule also prohibits telemarketing “robocalls” to consumers whether or not they previously have done business with the seller. To report a violation of the Rule to the FTC, go to www.donotcall.gov or call 800-382-1222 (800-FTC-1222).

Property Tax Exemption Filing Dates Announced

The Broward County Property Appraisers Office is hosting community outreach events during October throughout the County to assist residents with property tax exemption applications and answer questions on property taxes. Applications for portability will also be accepted. For details, visit www.bcpa.net. Associations wishing to schedule a meeting with a Property Appraiser’s representative, or to schedule a homebound visit, contact Community Outreach Coordinator Kelly Brown at 954-357-6035 or email krbrown@bcpa.net.

Internet Consumers Beware! Don’t Be Fooled By That Brand Name

Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division warns it has recently seen emails from fraudsters that use very realistic-looking letterheads and logos of well-known corporations, government agencies and financial organizations, including the Internal Revenue Service, eBay and SunTrust. The goal of these e-mails is to trick consumers into divulging such information as account numbers, passwords and Social Security numbers. For tips to guard against internet frauds, provided by the federal government and the technology industry, visit www.OnGuardOnline.gov.

Free Economic Empowerment Expo for Women to be Held on October 24

In an effort to help women weather the current recession, the Broward County Commission on the Status of Women is holding a free Economic Empowerment Expo on Saturday, October 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Regional/Broward College Library, 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek. Attendees will learn how to refresh and revitalize their careers or their businesses with advice and tips from industry experts. For directions call the library at 954-201-2600. Reservations are not necessary. For details, call 954-357-7800 or 954-357-6181 (TTY).

Broward County Talking Books is Part of Nationwide Test Market

Since early June, 30 Broward County visually disabled Talking Books Library customers have been testing a new digital talking book playing machine and digital flash drive through the Talking Books Library of the Broward County Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

The new equipment, which replaces the current four-track cassette player, is much easier to use. Typically, one entire book is recorded on the flash drive so the user does not have to flip cassettes and sequentially change them.

The pilot program participants were chosen because they heavily utilize the Talking Books service. The new machines are provided by the National Library Service of the Library of Congress, which administers and produces the materials used by Talking Books customers: the machines, books, catalogues and magazines. There is no charge to Broward County residents.

There are 300 residents throughout Florida participating in the testing of the new equipment, and Florida is one of just eight library systems from throughout the country chosen to participate.

Once the testing period has concluded, the machines will be made available to Talking Book clients who are veterans, customers over the age of 100 and then to other Talking Book customers.

To Receive Community Update Please Send Email to Us

Community Update, a monthly newsletter from the Board of County Commissioners, is produced by the Office of Public Communications. Address questions concerning articles to 954-357-6990. To receive Community Update electronically, send an email to publicinfo@broward.org. Please include your first and last name and email address. Hearing impaired residents can call the TTY line at 954-831-3940 for additional information.