Broward County
Cutting Back
County to cut services, programs to make up for $94 million
shortfall
By Jonathan Del Marcus
Broward
County officials will need to make drastic cuts in county
services and programs next year because of the reduction in tax
revenue associated with state-mandated property tax reform.
The Broward legislative delegation met with the Broward County
Commission on Tuesday to review the county’s forecasted budget
and discuss cuts during a joint legislative workshop at the
Broward County Government Center in Fort Lauderdale. The session
is the only such meeting between the bodies scheduled this
fiscal year.
“We know we are in for major changes this year,” Broward County
Mayor Lois Wexler said.
The county anticipates a $67 million decrease in revenue and a $27
million increase in expenses, creating a total budget shortfall
of $94 million.
“People are simply not making a connection between taxes and
services,” said Sen. Steve Geller, a Democrat from District 31
based in
Hallandale Beach.
In her presentation, Kaya Olsen, director of the Broward County
Office of Management and Budget, said there would be a minimum
of 10 percent cutbacks in the fiscal year 2009 budget and that
the cuts would likely be greater.
“It’s going to mean a dramatic difference in our parks, in our
libraries, and I’m very fearful of what it’s going to mean in
our human services,” said Commissioner Sue Gunzburger. “If a
park is closed a day when very few people go, it doesn’t really
change the quality of life. But if you take away services from a
disabled child, if you take away services from a homebound
elderly [person], that does the change the quality of life.”
The Broward County Commission also reviewed with the legislative
delegation its Broward County 2008 State Legislative Program, an
outline of its priorities for the year.
Many commissioners noted with frustration the number of unfunded
mandates being thrust upon the county by the state Legislature.
According to the document, “Unfunded mandates are state
directives that mandate local governments to provide services or
programs without providing appropriate revenue or funding
sources to implement or enforce the required activity. These
unfunded mandates can compromise a county’s ability to provide
essential and discretionary services deemed appropriate by the
local community.”
“In
Tallahassee,
nobody really cares about the unfunded mandates,” said state
Rep. Jim Waldman, a Democrat based in Coconut Creek who
represents District 95. “Nobody cares about the decisions the
county has to make. That was very evident in this past
session.”
The Broward legislative delegation, composed of Broward
County-based state representatives and senators, provides a
communication resource between the federal, state and local
governments, and
Broward County citizens, to facilitate the legislative process.
The delegation office coordinates local activities, workshops,
hearings and meetings between members, the municipalities, the
public and the county. The delegation also is responsible for
monitoring the appropriations process, securing state revenues
and other allocated funds for programs, organizations and
government agencies in Broward.
“We need to focus on communication and cooperation as we go
forward,” said state Rep. John P. “Jack” Seiler, a District 92
Democrat based in
Pompano Beach
who serves as the chair of the Broward legislative delegation.
“And we will pledge to protect the local governments as best we
can.”
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