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County Updates from Our Commissioner

Commissioner Lamar Fisher provides many county updates in his latest newsletter.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently advised that they are updating their Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for Broward County, which will become effective July 31, 2024. These FIRMs are used by FEMA, flood insurance agents and mortgage lenders to determine flood insurance purchase requirements and flood insurance rates throughout Broward County.

Broward County Commission took a major step by approving an Affordable Housing Master Plan, a first of its kind in the State of Florida. The landmark plan sets the stage for a robust inventory of affordable housing options and identifies affordable housing as a major budget priority necessary to meet the increasing demands of our growing population.

Other updates include the Broward County’s Cultural Division, vacancies on the Broward County Advisory Boards, Broward County Parks waterparks will be open on weekends only, starting Saturday, April 6, until June 9. Then, mark your calendars because from Tuesday, June 11 parks will be open seven days a week, and The Broward Heart Project is an initiative funded by the Broward County Commission that encourages Broward residents to focus on their cardiovascular health. This free non-invasive test is for residents 45 to 70 years old with active health insurance.

Click here to read the full newsletter.


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Rep LaMarca Legislative Update

In his latest newsletter, Rep Chip LaMarca provides an overview of the legislative session that concluded on March 8, 2024.  In his newsletter, he states that the 2024 Legislative session has concluded, and “I successfully secured many of my legislative priorities and helped pass legislation that will make Florida a more affordable and better place to live.” This year’s Legislative session was a very busy one for District 100. I filed and ran 7 bills and I was a prime co-sponsor on another bill, all of which passed and will be sent to the governor for signing.

LaMarca stated it was a privilege to carry the My Safe Florida Home program bill again, which appropriates $200 million dollars for grants and eliminates the requirement that DFS maintain a list of participating contractors for the grant portion of the program. Participants in the program may choose any properly licensed contractor to perform home improvements. HB 943 is the public records exemption that protects your data from bad actors after you have applied to use the program.

He also provides a list of appropriations for District 100 that were included in the budget.  The House and Senate agreed to a $117.46 billion budget, which includes record funding for education, public safety, healthcare, transportation, tourism, environment, general government, and economic development. After more than a week of budget negotiations, the Legislature passed the state’s Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget.

Click here to read the full legislative report from Rep LaMarca.


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Eric Peter Berkowitz

We are saddened to report the passing of Eric Berkowitz, our friend, colleague, and long-time advocate on behalf of the Galt Mile.  Eric passed away on March 15, 2024.

Eric served on the Galt Mile Community Association Board of Directors and as Vice President of the Board.  He was the driving force behind the Galt Security Patrol, whereby associations joined to hire off-duty Fort Lauderdale police officers to patrol the beach and streets.

Having lived in both Ocean Manor and Southpoint before serving on the Regency Tower Board of Directors, Eric Peter Berkowitz developed a unique perspective of the Galt Mile. Eric created and served as webmaster of the Galt Mile Community Association web site, one of largest and most comprehensive in South Florida. As editor of the “Galt Mile News”, the Association’s newsletter, he kept community residents and neighborhood merchants informed about issues critical to their rights, homes and lifestyles.

A prolific writer, Eric relates Association policy as formulated by the Board, the Advisory Board and concerned residents. Always active, Eric’s organizational skills were critical to Fort Lauderdale’s inclusion in the beach renourishment project, the installation of Automated External Defibrillators throughout the neighborhood, the successful promotion of practical fire safety regulations and myriad other challenges.

Eric also served as the community’s eyes and ears, alerting the neighborhood to positive and negative political impacts emanating from Fort Lauderdale’s City Hall, Broward County, Tallahassee and Washington DC.

Eric was my “eyes and ears on the Galt,” stated Galt Mile President Fred Nesbitt. “He always told me, ‘I have your back” and my job is to keep you out of trouble.”  He did that with perfection.  “The Galt has lost an advocate and a person with unlimited knowledge about our past – never forgetting a single detail or name.”  That history has been lost with Eric’s passing.  We will miss you my friend.



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Qualifying for Exemption

In his latest newsletter, Property Appraiser Marty Kiar explains how to qualify for the

2024 Limited-Income Senior Exemption. If you are not required to file an income tax return based on your age and income, you would qualify for this exemption.

He also explains that it is not too late to file for the 2024 property exemptions – as you have until September 18, 2024.  If you both owned and made the property your permanent residence as of January 1, 2024, you can still apply for 2024 Homestead Exemption and any other exemptions.

Click here to read Marty Kiar’s full newsletter.


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Commissioner Lamar Fisher Update Us on County Issues

Our County Commissioner, Lamar Fisher, provides a comprehensive update on Broward County issues in his latest newsletter.  The Broward Heart Project is an initiative funded by the Broward County Commission that encourages Broward residents to see if they are eligible for this free non-invasive test. Some prerequisites include being 45 to 70 years old with active health insurance, a family history of heart disease or have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol. Learn more and apply at Broward.org/TakeHeartTest.

 Broward County’s Transit Department has partnered with the Human Services Department, Housing Options, Solutions, and Supports Division (HOSS-D) to address the issues of unsheltered people at bus terminals, bus stops and on certain routes. The Broward County Aviation Division received a $50 million grant to fund a portion of FLL’s Terminal Connectors project, which consists of the construction of enclosed post-security walkways between Terminals 1 and 2 and Terminals 2 and 3.

 To learn more about these issues and others, click here to read the full newsletter.



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Commissioner Fisher County Update

Broward Commissioner Lamar Fisher updates us on county issues in his latest newsletter.

Broward County Transit held the ribbon cutting ceremony for its inaugural electric express coach bus, providing sustainable and efficient transportation options for the region.  County Commissioners approved additional transportation choices for BCT’s Late-Shift Connect Program.

 Broward County Parks and Recreation Division adjusted its gate entry fees for regional parks. The new fee for weekends and holidays is $3 per vehicle for up to eight people. They recently completed its first systemwide Master Plan, designed to help direct staff as we continue to improve our parks, amenities, and services for Broward County’s growing and diverse population.

There are additional updates and upcoming events in his newsletter.  Click here to read the full newsletter.


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Commissioner Herbst Addresses Key Issues

Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner John Herbst discusses three key issues in his latest newsletter.  The three topics present challenges and opportunities to District 1 and to the city as a whole. from parks to trains,

The recent closure of the Dottie Mancini Park has been a major concern for many that utilize the space for health and wellbeing. I understand the particular importance of the park to the Imperial Point community.

As the debate for a bridge or a tunnel continues, my stance remains that a light rail crossing is necessary for the City’s growth in the next hundred years. He discusses options available to resolve this issue.

He will be holding a series of public participation workshops to discuss the park idea at the Beach Community Center in the North Beach Shoppes.

To read the full newsletter, click here.