Public Hearings Set on Proposed 2009 Broward County Budget

Two public hearings on the proposed 2009 budget for Broward County are scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, and Tuesday, September 23, in Room 422 of the Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. The public is invited to provide testimony at the hearings that begin at 5:01 p.m. As submitted, the total countywide millage rate for operations and capital of 4.8889 mills is the same as Fiscal Year 2008.

Broward Shines a “Blockbuster” on Video Central

Broward County has released the first in a series of half-hour video programs, Broward Shines, showcasing the many services of Broward County government. The program can be viewed “on demand” on www.broward.org. Click on “Video Central.”

The first segment of Broward Shines provides an overview of County government and highlights numerous services, including environmental programs, seaport and airport operations, libraries, parks, tourism, economic development, transit, animal care and human services.

In addition to Broward Shines, the Video Central feature of www.broward.org offers a variety of video programming that can be viewed as part of a daily schedule, or on demand. Broward County Government meetings are Webcast live on Video Central. For a schedule of these meetings, consult the Upcoming Government Webcasts schedule, which appears under the Video Central viewing screen. To share feedback on this Web site, or make a programming suggestion, email publicinfo@broward.org.

New Speaker’s Bureau Web Site Available to Community

Broward County has posted a new Speaker’s Bureau to its Web site, www.broward.org. Staff professionals and subject matter experts from Broward County agencies are available to speak on a variety of topics. Organizations and residents wishing to invite a Broward County speaker to a meeting or event can choose from the list of topics presented, or call an agency directly to collaborate on a topic.

September is National Recovery Month

September is National Recovery Month, and the Broward Addiction Recovery Center (BARC) has scheduled several activities to raise awareness about substance abuse and alcoholism.

There will be an informational display at the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, September 2 through September 12. BARC will participate in a National Recovery Month & Unity Day Celebration at Central Regional Park, September 13, noon - 5 p.m.; and host a BARC Alumni recovery celebration at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale to recognize alumni for their successful completion of the treatment programs, September 18, 6-9 p.m.

BARC, a county-operated substance abuse assessment and treatment provider, serves Broward County adult residents and those experiencing homelessness, with substance abuse, medical detoxification, assessment, outpatient, day treatment and residential treatment services. For more information, call 954-765-4200 or visit www.broward.org/healthcare.

County Parks Announce New Hours

The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division announces new operating hours, effective October 1, 2008. Regional parks, nature centers and natural areas will be closed on Tuesdays, with the following exceptions:

• All Broward County parks will be open on Tuesday, December 30, 2008; Tuesday, April 7, 2009; and all Tuesdays between June 1 and August 15, 2009.
• The following parks will be open daily: Central Broward Regional Park, 3700 N.W. 11th Place, Lauderhill; Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise; Topeekeegee Yugnee (T.Y.) Park, 3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood; and Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek.
• Campgrounds will remain open daily to registered campers.
• Neighborhood parks will continue daily operations. Private facilities — AllGolf, Butterfly World and Ski Rixen — will continue their normal operating schedule.

Libraries Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15-October 15, and this year’s celebration will bring a variety of cultural events to Broward County libraries. For information on Hispanic Heritage Month and the many scheduled events, call 954-357-7403, or visit www.broward.org/library and click on Bookings, the library’s monthly magazine.

Sign-up for Free Subscription To Hurricane Updates

To keep informed on impending storms, residents are strongly encouraged to subscribe to Broward County’s free Hurricane Update E-mail System. The system provides residents with important information from the Broward County Emergency Operations Center before, during and after a hurricane. E-mail notifications will be sent to subscribers with news about hurricane watches and warnings, evacuation orders, recommended protective actions and related public safety issues. To subscribe, visit www.broward.org/hurricane and click on the Hurricane Update E-mail System box.

Residents Urged to “Go Green”

Broward County is challenging its residents to “change the world” and “drive smarter” as part of two National Association of Counties (NACo) competitions, Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR Campaign and the Drive $marter Challenge.

The Change the World Campaign (formerly the Change a Light campaign) is an energy efficiency campaign that encourages residents to not only change a light in their home to an energy efficient one, but to also take other actions to save energy, such as power managing computers, choosing ENERGY STAR appliances, or properly programming home thermostats.

The Drive $marter Challenge is a fuel-efficiency campaign to help U.S. consumers lower their fuel costs by applying simple fuel efficiency tips. The campaign offers effective money-and gas-saving tips in English and Spanish, and additional resources aimed at keeping more money in drivers’ pockets and reducing the number of costly trips to the pump.

These national competitions support the County’s commitment to climate change protection and provide an opportunity to increase awareness about the simple actions Broward County residents can take to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint. To submit a pledge, visit www.broward.org/gogreen. Pledges for both challenges will be accepted through November 30, 2008.

Library of Congress to Visit County With Florida History Program

National Treasures, Local Treasures: The Library of Congress at Your Fingertips, an educational program that brings the riches of the Library of Congress to selected cities across the country, will make its debut at the Broward County Public Library on Friday, September 19, at 10 a.m., 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. The event is co-sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and the Florida Center for the Book.

New York Times bestselling author, Barbara Parker, a former prosecutor with the state attorney’s office in Miami-Dade County and author of 12 mysteries, is special guest, along with the directors of the Center for the Book and the Educational Outreach Division in the Library of Congress.

The program will begin with a clip from the film National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets, which prominently featured the Library of Congress in its storyline, as well as other footage of visitor spaces in the Library’s magnificent 1897 Thomas Jefferson Building. Educational specialists from the Library of Congress will demonstrate how to bring Florida history alive with rare primary source materials on the Library’s Web site at www.loc.gov.

A demonstration of the interactive Library of Congress Experience (myLOC.gov) will bring unique historical and cultural treasures to attendees through cutting-edge interactive technology.

After the program, Library of Congress educational specialists will hold a workshop with local schoolchildren and teachers aimed at introducing them to the primary sources on the Library’s Web site related to Florida and how to integrate these materials into their classrooms.

Property Tax Exemption Filing Dates Announced for September 2008

A series of community outreach events has been scheduled by the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office in September. Deputy Appraisers will be available to assist with Homestead, Senior and other property tax exemption applications, accept applications for portability, and answer questions on property taxes. All events are open to the public.

Residents who missed the March 3 deadline to file for a 2008 Homestead are allowed to late file through September 19, 2008. The Property Appraiser’s Office accepts late Homestead applications and helps taxpayers prepare the required late filing petitions.

September 8
9 a.m. – 11 p.m. • Lighthouse Point Library • 2200 NE 38th St.
10:30 a.m. – Noon • Northwest Focal Point Center • 6009 NW 10th St, Margate

September 9
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • Pembroke Pines City Hall • 10100 Pines Blvd.

September 10
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Pompano Beach City Hall • 100 W. Atlantic Blvd.
3–5 p.m. • Northwest Regional Library • 3151 University Dr, Coral Springs

September 11
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Hollywood City Hall • 2600 Hollywood Blvd.

September 12
10:00–11:30 a.m. • Sunrise Senior Center • 10650 W. Oakland Park Blvd.
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Miramar City Hall • 2300 Civic Center Place

September 13
Noon – 3 p.m. • Weston Regional Park • 20200 Saddle Club Dr.
1-3 p.m. • Sunrise Dan Pearl Library • 10500 Oakland Park Blvd.

September 15
Noon-2 p.m. • Davie Police Station • 1230 Nob Hill Rd.

September 16
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Deerfield Beach City Hall • 150 NE 2nd Ave.
4-6 p.m. • Lauderdale Lakes Multipurpose Center • 4340 NW 36th St.

September 17
10:30-11:30 a.m. • Hallandale Senior Center, Austin Hepburn Center • 750 NW 8th Ave.
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Pompano Beach City Hall • 100 W. Atlantic Blvd.

September 18
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Hollywood City Hall • 2600 Hollywood Blvd.

September 19
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Lauderhill City Hall • 3800 Inverrary Blvd.

September 23
10:00 a.m. – Noon • Coconut Creek City Hall • 4800 W. Copans Rd.
4:30-6 p.m. • Tamarac Community Center • 8601 Commercial Blvd.

September 24
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Pompano Beach City Hall • 100 W. Atlantic Blvd.

September 25
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Hollywood City Hall • 2600 Hollywood Blvd.

September 26
10:00-11:30 a.m. • Beach Community Center • 3351 NE 33rd Ave., Fort Lauderdale

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.