Dear Neighbors,

Next Tuesday, the City Commission will review the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The first budget hearing will be held on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 5 pm, and the final budget hearing will be held on Friday, September 12th, at 5 pm. On Monday, August 25th, at 4 pm I am hosting a virtual town hall regarding the proposed budget to discuss major priorities, allocation, and changes from previous years. This meeting will allow you to highlight policy priorities, raise concerns, and ask me and city leadership questions. Click on the flyer to register for this meeting.

Before the meeting, check out this interactive tool called the Balancing Act here. This tool allows you to adjust funding levels for different departments, add or remove budget requests from departments, and tweak revenue sources (ex., property tax rate or fire assessment fee).

Also, I am proud to share that the City is moving ahead with several waterway quality initiatives this fall. I have been working closely with our Chief Waterways Officer on expanding seawalls, mangrove plantings, and oyster rope installations. I am excited to see many of these initiatives come to life throughout our city.

Learn more about what the commission is working on. Visit the LauderBriefs page here to review highlights of each commission meeting. Thank you for reading. If you have any questions or want to collaborate, I welcome the opportunity. You can reach me at bsorensen@fortlauderdale.gov or contact my office at (954)-828-5028.

--

Ben

Upcoming Commission Meetings

Tuesday, August 19th - Joint Workshop with Budget Advisory Board at 11:30 am

Tuesday, August 19th - City Commission Conference at 1:30 pm

Tuesday, August 19th - Community Redevelopment Agency Board at 2:30 pm

Tuesday, August 19th - Regular Commission Meeting at 6:00 pm

City Commission meetings are held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts - Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom - 201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312

Watch live on YouTube. Meeting agendas can be found here.

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Monday, August 18th - Neighborhood Agenda Review at 1:00 pm on Zoom

Register using this link here. Click to add to calendar.

Next Up...

Tuesday, September 2nd - Neighborhood Agenda Review at 1:00pm on Zoom

Dine Out Lauderdale is an annual culinary event where numerous participating restaurants provide multi-course menus at great values! Dine Out Lauderdale started August 1st and will run through September 30th, 2025. Click here to try out a participating restaurant.

The Back-to-School sales tax holiday runs through the month. Check here to see a list of qualifying items that are tax-free!

The Development Services Department is hosting a community meeting to present proposed updates to the City’s mixed-use zoning standards. Click the memo on the right to review what has been done so far and what is planned for later this year.

The City of Fort Lauderdale’s Lien Amnesty Program gives eligible property owners a limited-time opportunity to reduce code enforcement liens by up to 90%. This offer ends soon.

Starting October 1, 2025, the standard discount will be reduced to 85%. Certain violations will only qualify for a 50% reduction, including:

• Nuisance violations

• Repeat violations

• Noise violations

• Vacation rental violations

The deadline to apply for the 90% reduction is September 30, 2025.

Apply today to lock in the higher reduction rate and bring your property into compliance.

🔗 ftlcity.info/lienamnesty

☎ Questions? Call 954 828 8000 or email lienamnesty@fortlauderdale.gov

AutoNation is hosting back-to-school free car care clinics for young drivers at select stores, with hands-on demonstrations from a master service technician and driver safety educator. This is free to attend and everyone will receive a car care kit with essential items to support safety and car care journey. Click on the flyer to register.

Running your business, but need a boost? The City of Fort Lauderdale is here to take your business to the next level!

We’re excited to announce that applications are open for the *Accelerated StartUp FTL Grow Cohort — a 6-week business training program designed for individuals who have been operating their business for 1 to 5 years. This program will give you the tools, guidance, and support you need for your business to grow.

Here’s what you’ll get:

✅ Expert-led business classes (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6–8 PM)

✅ Group discussions and business support

✅ A chance to pitch your business and be awarded with up to $1,000💸

✅ A supportive community of fellow entrepreneurs

✅ And more!

Program Dates: October 21, 2025 – November 25, 2025 (before Thanksgiving break)*

Orientation: October 20, 2025 (Subject to change)*

First Day of Class: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Format: In-person and online sessions

Application Deadline: August 31, 2025

This cohort is part of an accelerated version of the City’s signature StartUp FTL program, made possible through support from the National League of Cities Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant.

👉 Apply today and take the next step toward building your business: ftlcity.info/startupftl

👉 Online Informational Session will be held on October 20th! Zoom Registration

We can’t wait to support your journey from idea to launch!

For additional information, please contact is at EconomicDevelopment@fortlauderdale.gov or 954-828-6350.

The 5th Annual Pre-Labor Day Block Party invites the community to gather along NE 32nd St. - between A1A and 33rd Ave. in celebration of the unofficial end of the summer. Click on the flyer or contact (954)-828-7275 for more information.

Parks and Recreation launched Club 55+, a program that encourages active adults to enjoy endless opportunities such as pickleball lessons, art classes, field trips, and more!

Annual membership is only $55, contact (954)-828-7275 to learn more.

Experience an invigorating dance program every Friday at 12:30pm beginning this Friday, August 15th. Designed for participants of all skill levels, these one-hour sessions invite you to explore elements of jazz, modern, hip-hop, pop, dancehall, EDM, and House Styles into engaging choreography. Click here to register.

📍Click on the image above to sign-up for traffic/road closure updates.

📍Utilize LauderStreet here to view current traffic alerts.

Heads up! The Broward County Convention Center will be hosting a large event from August 15 -17. Drivers should expect increased traffic around SE 17th Street Causeway and the surrounding area throughout the weekend. Please plan ahead and allow extra travel time if passing through the area.

Construction will begin on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, and is expected to be completed in November 2025. Work will take place weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Lane closures are expected along SW 28th Terrace and SW 17th Street daily during work hours. To learn more, visit here. 

Construction will begin on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, and is expected to be completed in late September 2025. One lane in each direction of SE 15th Street from 1496 to 1511 SE 15th Street will be closed daily during work hours. Neighbors should follow posted signs and drive with caution in the area. To learn more, visit here.

Sanitary Sewer Force Main Rehabilitation Projects are ongoing in your neighborhoods. To learn more about the improvements visit this website here.

The following traffic impacts are in effect in Rio Vista through October 2025:

• SE 9th Avenue is closed from SE 5th Court to SE 8th Street.
• Individual coordination is ongoing with residents with driveways within the full road to maintain access and parking.
• Detours are in effect along SE 5th Court, US 1 / S Federal Highway, SE 11th Avenue, and SE 8th Street.

The following traffic impacts are in effect in Beverly Heights through October 2025:

• The intersection of SE 9th Avenue and SE 2nd Court is closed.
• SE 9th Avenue is open to local traffic only between E. Las Olas Boulevard and SE 2nd Court and between SE 2nd Court and SE 2nd Street.
• SE 2nd Court is open to local traffic only between SE 8th Avenue and SE 9th Avenue and between SE 9th Avenue and SE 10th Terrace.
• Detours are in effect along SE 2nd Street, SE 8th Avenue, SE 10th Terrace, and E Las Olas Boulevard.

Parking lot improvements will include landscape restoration, asphalt pavement installation, and curb repairs. Construction begins the week of July 28, 2025, and is expected to be completed by early December. Work will take place on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. There will be no traffic impacts on the roadways adjacent to the parking lots.

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