Broward County

June 1 is the official first day of the new hurricane season for 2021.  You have 6 days left to do your hurricane shopping without a sales tax on certain items (until June 6).

Good News and Bad News:  NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. However, experts do not anticipate the historic level of storm activity seen in 2020. Based on the latest update, an average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, of which 7 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes. Last year’s record-breaking season serves as a reminder to all residents in coastal regions or areas prone to inland flooding from rainfall to be prepared for the 2021 hurricane season.

A few resources for the hurricane season are as follows.

broward.org/hurricane – resources for residents including evacuation and shelter information

Broward evacuation routes – for evacuations

Broward Hurricane preparedness guide – including shelter information

fema.gov – information about disaster relief

Florida FEMA – state information

Evacuation zones across Florida

National hurricane tracker – great mobile app to track the hurricanes

FEMA Mobile app and text messages

Associations have hurricane preparedness plans in place. Make sure you know what to do before, during and after a hurricane.  A Hurricane Watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 48 hours. Monitor local media for hurricane progress reports. Review your evacuation plan if a mandatory evacuation is ordered for the Barrier Island. Make sure your route is accessible as some roads may be closed or blocked.

Be prepared.  Be safe. 

Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar has some important information in his latest newsletter for veterans.  Veterans receiving the full exemption for service-connected total and permanent disability may be eligible for a refund.  A recent change in Florida law allows for certain disabled veterans to receive a property tax refund. While the refund requirements are very specific, some property owners receiving the Full Veteran’s Exemption for Total and Permanent Service-Connected Disability may be eligible for a refund on their new homesteaded property’s taxes.

2021 Property Exemptions – It Is Not Too Late to Apply.  While the timely deadline to apply for any 2021 exemption was March 1, applicants can late file until September 20, 2021. If you both owned and made the property your permanent residence as of January 1, 2021, you can still apply for 2021 Homestead Exemption and any other exemptions.

The absolute deadline for applying for any 2021 exemption is September 20, 2021.

Click here to read the latest newsletter. 

In Commissioner Fisher’s latest newsletter, he updates us about the COVID, mitigating the effects of climate change, and bringing back coastal rail service for commuters – especially in Broward County.  Because Hurricane season begins June 1, Commissioner Fisher provides some helpful information important to all residents.  Lastly, he talking about the importance of the airport and Port Everglades to our economy and economic development.  The cruise ship industry is a major contributor to our convention and visitors’ tourism.  We may even be getting Disney Cruise Lines in our port.

Click here to read the full newsletter from Commissioner Lamar Fisher.

Eligibility guidelines for COVID-19 vaccinations

• As of March 29th, all individuals age 40 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
• As of April 5th, all individuals age 18 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
• As of May 13th, all individuals age 16 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

For Coronavirus information from the Florida Department of Health, call COVID-19, Call Center (available 24/7) at 1 (866) 779-6121, Email at [email protected] or Click here for What you need to know now about COVID-19 in Florida.

For Coronavirus information from Broward County, call 954-357-9500, Email at [email protected] or Click here for Broward County Coronavirus (Covid-19) website.

FDOH Broward: Broward County has partnered with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) to provide vaccination appointments. For more information or to view the current vaccination sites, Click Here. FDOH also has a COVID-19 Call Center that can be contacted 24/7 at 866-779-6121 or by email at [email protected]. The FDOH Broward website is http://broward.floridahealth.gov/.

State of Florida:  The State also created a website entitled MyVaccine Florida to manage online scheduling.  To pre-register online for an appointment in Broward County, Click Here.

Broward Health: The site is open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 4:30PM and expects to vaccinate up to 500 eligible pre-registered patients a day. To register, Click Here.

Broward College North Campus in Coconut Creek: Vaccines will be available each day on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, Click Here.

Holy Cross Health: You can also register at the site to be notified when vaccines are available. Priority will be given to Holy Cross Medical Group patients. For more information, Click Here. 

Ocean Chemist Pharmacy:  You can register to get your vaccination right on the Galt Mile at Ocean Chemist located at 3535 Galt Ocean Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 – call (954) 329-2690.  Appointments are necessary.  Click here.

Walmart and Sam’s Club Pharmacies: To register for an appointment at Walmart, Click Here. To register for an appointment at Sam’s Club (membership not required), Click Here. For a comprehensive list of participating Florida Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies, Click Here.

Publix Supermarket: For more information or to make an appointment, Click Here. For a list of participating Broward & Miami-Dade Publix pharmacies, Click Here.

Winn-Dixie Supermarket: For more information or to make an appointment, Click Here.

CVS Pharmacy: For more information or to schedule an appointment, Click Here or call 800 746-7287.

Walgreens: To schedule an appointment when venues become available in Broward, Click Here or call 1-800-WALGREENS. For more information, Click Here.

Homebound Residents: For Homebound Residents who wish to schedule a vaccination appointment in their homes, please email [email protected] or Click Here to complete an online Survey (for assistance completing the survey, call 866-779-6121).

To obtain more information about these sites and read a comprehensive overview of Broward County’s response to this epidemic, please click here to read a report prepared by Eric Berkowitz, Vice President, Galt Mile Community Association.  This document is updated frequently – so be sure to check it often.

For an expanded list of Broward vaccination venues, Click Here.

Click here to view an updated list of the executive orders and mandates from the governor, county and Fort Lauderdale.

In his newsletter. he highpoints the fact we are reaching higher levels of our community members getting vaccinated. “This is wonderful news! I am excited and look forward to returning to in person meetings, events, and face to face interactions with my constituents.” As of April 26, 2021 approximately 1.3 million doses have been administered in Broward County.

On April 19, 2021, Broward County issued Emergency Order 21-01 which amends the Comprehensive Emergency Order to lift most capacity restrictions and sanitation requirements for outdoor activities.

Broward County continues to aid those in need through several Emergency Rent Assistance Programs.

Click here to read the April Newsletter.

The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Marty Kian announced the Owner Alert – a FREE service designed to help you protect your property from scams or fraud by notifying you if a document is received by our office changing the ownership of your property. Property fraud is a very serious issue! Criminals can record fraudulent deeds transferring ownership and then try to mortgage, sell, or rent the property. Owner Alert helps stop these unlawful acts. Let’s work together to protect your home from possible fraud.

Subscribing to this service is quick and easy – simply visit the Property Appraiser’s website at web.bcpa.net/owneralert to register your property. There is no fee for this service and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Ownership records are changed based on deeds recorded with the Broward County Records Division and then provided to our office. BCPA has no legal authority to determine whether a deed is fraudulent. Once registered, Owner Alert will notify you if there is a change of ownership to your property and provide you with important information. If you have any questions about the Owner Alert notification service, please call (954)357-5579 or email us at [email protected]

District 4 Broward County Commissioner Lamar Fisher covers a number of topics in his March 2021 Newsletter. After announcing a new COVID-19 vaccination venue at Pompano Citi Centre, Fisher provides contact info for vaccination sites offered by pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.  He also provides homebound seniors with an email address to schedule vaccinations in their homes.  The newsletter updates the planned Broward Beach Renourishment projects and how the voter-approved Broward Transportation Surtax is being implemented.

Fisher recommends we prepare for the impending hurricane season, as the 2021 season will be another very active and dangerous hurricane season.  Fisher concludes with a review of recent County Commission actions affecting all of us.

Click here to read the newsletter.

In his newest newsletter, Commissioner Fisher reviews the county’s latest COVID-19 vaccination efforts.  Approximately 55% of our county’s senior (65 and over) have been vaccinated.  He also outlines a Rental Assistance Program (CARES Act II), and the upcoming Segment II Shore Protection Project (repair of the Galt Mile Beach damages) scheduled between November 1, 2021 thru April 30, 2022 – exact dates to be determined.  The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau has a new marketing campaign to attract visitors to our area.  The newsletter concludes with a list of recent actions initiated by Commissioner Fisher as a county commissioner.

Click here to read the newsletter.

Learn how to apply for your money-saving 2021 Senior Exemption or renew your exemption.  Property owners who are 65 years or older may qualify for an additional exemption on their Homesteaded property.  Residents who received the Low-Income Senior Exemption in 2020 must renew the exemption for the 2021 tax year.

Check out the 2021 Save Our Homes cap set by Tallahassee. The Florida Department of Revenue has set the 2021 Save Our Homes cap at 1.4%. The Save Our Homes cap begins the year after you receive Homestead Exemption and automatically renews each year.

The absolute filing deadline for any 2021 exemption is September 20, 2021. Our thanks to Property Appraiser Marty Kiar and his long-time Galt Mile liaison Bob Wolfe for sharing this information and being friends of the Galt Mile.

Click here to read the current newsletter. 

Broward County District 4 Commissioner Lamar Fisher’s January 2021 Newsletter features a wealth of relevant information for his Galt Mile constituents – as usual. The content includes –

1) COVID-19 Stats and Vaccination Updates (vaccination appointments by telephone

2) Business Assistance Update (Paycheck Protection Program loans resumed and FPL small business credits)

3) Recent Broward Commission Actions

4) Port Everglades Update

5) Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport Update

Click here to read the newsletter.