Happy New Year from County Commissioner Sharief …

Happy New Year! No matter how you say it or how you celebrate, bringing in another year is always a joyous occasion. In 2012, I will continue to be your voice and fight for the issues that are critical to you. I appreciate your faith and support in me and I look forward to continuing to serve your needs.

Barbara

Convenient New Way to Pay Property Taxes …

Residents can save time, avoid long lines and reduce parking congestion traditionally associated with making property tax payments by using Broward County’s new drive-thru payment station, open on two different dates this tax payment season: March 30 and
April 2.

On those dates, a drive-thru payment station will be located in the parking lot of the Governmental Center Annex building, 115 S. Andrews Ave., accepting payments from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To access the kiosk, customers should enter the parking lot from the Brickell Avenue (west) side of the Governmental Center and follow the signs.

Broward County staff, wearing Broward County shirts and badges, will be on hand to collect payments. In order for tax payments to be accepted at the drive-thru payment station, they must be:

• Current (2011 taxes only)
• Payment in full (no partial payments)
• Properly filled out check (no cash)
• Accompanied by original tax bill stub (which will be stamped “Received” by the collection agent)

Payments will be processed on the day received. Residents can also go online to verify that the payment has been posted, and obtain a printed copy of their receipt. Enter a search for Property Tax name, address or account number, and follow the prompts for a payment verification and receipt.

Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division will continue to accept property tax payments at their offices in the Governmental Center Annex, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Suite A100, Fort Lauderdale through April 2. Payments can also be made online and at any Broward County branch of Wells Fargo.

A 2 percent discount applies to taxes paid in January and a 1 percent discount in February. Tax payments received after April 2, 2012 are delinquent and subject to penalties. For more information regarding your tax bill, visit broward.org/revenue or call 954-831-4000.

New County Commission Districting Map Approved …

The Broward County Commission approved a new Broward County Commission district map at the conclusion of the December 13 public hearing. The new map is based upon the recently released 2010 Census data. Pursuant to the Broward County Charter, the County is divided into nine single member districts, to balance the populations of the districts and ensure residents have equal representation on the County Commission.

The new districts will be effective for the November 2012 general election. A final public hearing will be scheduled in early 2012 to adopt legal descriptions for the new Commission districts.

The County Commission is required, by the County Charter, to redraw the election district map every 10 years upon release of the decennial U.S. Census. When local election districts are redrawn, the difference between the largest and smallest districts must be no more than 10 percent.

During the last decade, the Commission district populations changed dramatically and, according to the 2010 Census, no longer met the equal size criteria. The district populations ranged from a low of 171,111 in District 4, located along the coast in northeast Broward, to a high of 257,312 in District 8 in southwest Broward, a 33 percent difference. The new map corrects these inequities as the district populations vary by less than 7 percent.

The Commission initiated the redistricting process in May 2011 directing staff to provide the public with meaningful opportunities to participate in the redistricting effort. County staff developed five redistricting map alternatives and held seven workshops at various locations around the County to inform the public about the redistricting requirements and seek input on the map and process. The County Commission held a workshop and two public hearings before approving the new map.

A total of 14 maps were submitted by the public and considered by the County Commission. The new map can be viewed as a PDF file or as a KMZ file.

Bus Shelters Coming to Pembroke Park and West Park …

Bus shelters are under construction or being surveyed for construction within the City of Pembroke Park and City of West Park. The estimated completion date is May 2012. Locations include:

• Hallandale Beach Boulevard and Southwest 56 Avenue
• Hallandale Beach Boulevard and Southwest 40 Avenue
• Hallandale Beach Boulevard and Marion Road
• Hallandale Beach Boulevard and State Road 7
• State Road 7 and Hallandale Beach Boulevard
• State Road 7 and Southwest 40 Street

B-cycle Begins in Broward County ...

Broward County Commissioners, city officials, transit representatives, residents and even Santa Claus celebrated the launch of B-cycle on December 14. B-cycle is the first County bike-sharing program in the United States. Commissioner Sharief attended the Grand Opening event which began on the beach in Hollywood. The Broward County Commission approved an agreement with B-cycle for the management and operation of a bike-sharing program last year. For more information on Broward B-cycle visit broward.bcycle.com.

 

 

Let’s Talk…

It’s important that there are always open lines of communication between you and I. My competent and accomplished staff is here to provide you with quality service. I’d also like to hear your ideas and concerns. You can call my office at 954-357-7008 or send an e-mail to bsharief@broward.org. It’s a privilege to serve you!

Sincerely,
Barbara Sharief
Broward County Commissioner
District 8