Commission Plans Two Public Hearings on 2011 Budget

Broward County Commissioners will conduct two public hearings in September on the 2011 Fiscal Year budget recommended by County Administrator Bertha Henry. Public testimony will be taken at both hearings, held in Room 422 in the Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, on Tuesday, September 14, at 5:01 p.m., and Tuesday, September 28, at 5:01 p.m. Hearings will be televised live on participating cable channels and Webcast live on www.broward.org/video. Budget documents, including the County Administrator’s recommended budget reductions, are posted online at http://broward.org/budget.

Broward County Offers New Ways to "Stay Connected"

Broward County is using popular social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to help keep residents and visitors informed about County programs, services and events. A new feature on the Broward County Web site offers subscriptions to more than 30 Twitter, Facebook and YouTube sites, mobile device apps and e-newsletters as part of an initiative to keep residents connected with County government. The new Web page lists all of the County’s participating agencies, and offers links to their respective sites. Residents and visitors are encouraged to pick and choose the information they are most interested in receiving. To participate, visit www.broward.org and click STAY CONNECTED.

Airfares to Fort Lauderdale Among Nation’s Cheapest

According to data from the Department of Transportation, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is among the cheapest airports in the nation to fly to, because it attracts more leisure travelers than business travelers. Of the top 100 U.S. airports, FLL ranks as the sixth-cheapest with an average fare of $250.08. Reported average fares are based on domestic itineraries - round-trip or one-way for which no return is purchased - including government taxes and fees. Fares do not account for ancillary fees charged by the airline, such as those for checked baggage.

Broward County Transit Receives $8 Million Grant

Broward County Transit (BCT) received more than $8 million from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Bus and Bus Livability Initiative Grant Program aimed at upgrading bus services and facilities. The competitive grant program is part of a nearly $300 million investment of the Obama administration’s livability initiative to better coordinate transportation, housing and commercial development for residents and their communities.

FTA’s Bus and Livability Initiative Grant Program is investing more than $163 million in 47 projects around the nation. BCT will apply the grant toward enhancements along the Broward Boulevard corridor between the Broward Central Terminal at Northwest First Avenue in Fort Lauderdale and the West Regional Terminal at Northwest 84 Avenue in Plantation. The grant program goals are to improve transit travel time along the corridor, reduce reliance on automobiles and reduce emissions and improve air quality by increasing public transportation use. For more information about the Bus and Bus Livability Grant Program, call Broward County Transit at 954-357-6786. For information about Broward County Transit, visit www.broward.org/bct or call 954-357-8400.

Broward County Saves Lives With Medical Services Grant

Broward County is saving lives through a $105,000 County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Grant being administered by the Broward Regional EMS Council and coordinated by the Broward County Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services.

The grant awarded to Broward County fire rescue providers is for the implementation of the LIFENET System that enables paramedics, in the field, to rapidly identify a possible heart attack patient and then transmit a 12-lead Electrocardiogram (ECG), via wireless modem, directly to the receiving hospital. Currently there are 19 Broward County fire rescue agencies and nine area hospitals utilizing the new technology. The transmitted ECG appears on computer screens in the emergency department and the cardiac treatment area, known as the catheterization (cath) laboratory. In many cases, an on-call cardiologist will also get paged and receive a copy of the ECG to any preferred hand-held mobile device.

First "Snack Shack" Donations Are Delivered

Two van loads of dog and cat food, totaling 1,681 pounds, were delivered in mid-August to Broward County Animal Care and Regulation from the "Pet Snack Shack" donation drive. The Snack Shack food drive offers Broward County employees and residents the opportunity to donate cat and dog food, pet treats and cat litter at special "Pet Snack Shack" collection boxes located at Animal Care’s two adoption centers, all Broward County libraries, courthouses, and other County government buildings.

All donations will go to feed and care for the dogs and cats at Broward County Animal Care’s two adoption centers, located in Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. The centers care for more than 20,000 lost and abandoned animals each year. For more information, call Lisa Mendheim, public education coordinator for Broward County Animal Care, at 954-359-1010 or visit www.broward.org/animal.

Broward Commission Unanimously Passes Code of Ethics

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners unanimously passed a Code of Ethics that governs many aspects of how County business is conducted. The formation of a Broward County Ethics Commission was approved by voters in 2008 and tasked with creating a Code of Ethics. To read the Broward County Ethics Code in its entirety, visit www.broward.org/EthicsCommission and click CODE OF ETHICS ORDINANCE -- FINAL.

It’s "Souper" September for 365 Food Drive

Broward County’s yearlong 365 Food Drive continues through the month of September with a focus on canned and instant soups. Visit any of the 12 collection sites across the County to donate your favorite non-perishable food items. Small toiletry items are also appreciated. Collection boxes are available at the Governmental Center, Government Center West, main and regional courthouses, all Broward County libraries, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Administration building, and Port Everglades Administration building. For a complete list of donation sites, visit www.broward.org/fooddrive.

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.