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In case you missed them, the following are highlights from the Fort Lauderdale City Commission meetings on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The video is available at youtube.com/cityoffortlauderdale, and the vote summary will be available later this week at fortlauderdale.legistar.com/calendar.
CITY COMMISSION CONFERENCE MEETING
Commission Receives Update on Fortify Lauderdale - The City Commission received an update on Fortify Lauderdale, the City’s multi-year stormwater program to improve resilience in flood-prone neighborhoods. Staff and the City’s consultant, Hazen and Sawyer, presented the final prioritization of Phase 2 stormwater projects, which include 12 project areas across the city. Projects were ranked using both flood data and neighborhood feedback, with preliminary costs for Phase 2 estimated at $1.1 billion. The update also highlighted progress on Phase 1 projects, including work underway in Edgewood, River Oaks, and Dorsey-Riverbend. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/45Og2Fw.
Commission Reviews Police Headquarters Peer Review Update - The City Commission received an update on the Phase 2 peer review of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department Headquarters, which is under construction. Phase 1 of the review focused on the previously identified deflection area, while Phase 2 expanded the analysis to the rest of the building to confirm structural integrity and recommend enhancements. Wiss, Janey, Elstner Associates, Inc. conducted the review with input from AECOM and Thornton Tomasetti, and staff reported on progress in implementing the recommendations as construction continues. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4mKSuai.
Commission Receives Update on City Attorney Search - The City Commission received an update on the search for a new City Attorney, being conducted by MGT Impact Solutions in coordination with the City Attorney Search Committee. The position was posted from July 23 to August 22, 2025, through professional networks including the Florida Bar, the Florida League of Cities, and the International Municipal Lawyer’s Association. MGT has screened applicants and recommended candidates for interviews by the Search Committee on September 5. Finalists from that process will be presented to the City Commission at its September 16 conference meeting. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4pl2ysy.
Commission Discusses Draft Public-Private Partnership Ordinance
The City Commission discussed a draft ordinance establishing a local process for evaluating public-private partnership (P3) proposals. The ordinance would supplement state law by outlining how the City reviews both solicited and unsolicited proposals for major projects, with the goal of ensuring transparency, accountability, and protection of public resources. Staff will continue refining the ordinance based on Commission input before it returns for further consideration. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/3HEVMNm.
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD MEETING
CRA Board Approves Fiscal Year 2026 Budget - The CRA Board approved the final operating budgets and Community Investment Plan allocations for the Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Heights (NPF) and Central City CRAs for Fiscal Year 2026. The combined CRA budget totals $7.3 million, with $2.95 million for operations and $4.36 million for incentive programs. The NPF CRA will receive $5.9 million, including $3.3 million for incentive programs, while the Central City CRA will receive $1.4 million, including $1.07 million for incentives. The Central City Advisory Board recommended adjustments to its incentive programs, reducing funding for Property and Business Improvement and increasing funding for Commercial Façade improvements, which have been incorporated into the final budget. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4610FZ2.
CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING
Commission Holds First Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2026 - The City Commission held its first public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which totals $1.19 billion. The tentative millage rate was set at 4.1193 per $1,000 of taxable value, which will generate about $251 million to help fund the $520 million General Fund budget. The budget continues to prioritize public safety, infrastructure, and neighborhood services while maintaining strong reserves.
The five-year Community Investment Plan includes $501 million programmed for Fiscal Year 2026. Highlights include $330 million for stormwater projects, $60 million for the ongoing Parks Bond initiatives, nearly $30 million for water and sewer improvements, and approximately $11 million for new fire stations, in addition to supporting general infrastructure improvements citywide.
The Commission also approved the tentative budget and millage for the Sunrise Key Neighborhood Improvement District, which will fund security services for the community. A second and final budget hearing will be held on September 12 to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/3HWGlAc.
CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Commission Approves FDOT Grant for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety - The City Commission approved a $97,618 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to support a public awareness and enforcement campaign focused on pedestrian and bicycle safety. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department will carry out the campaign with the Institute of Police Technology and Management, using the funds to cover officer overtime and distribute educational materials. The program will run through May 8, 2026, and is aimed at educating pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists on safe behaviors. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4m0yijI.
Commission Approves Grant to Fort Lauderdale Historical Society - The City Commission approved a $100,000 grant agreement with the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society to support capital improvements at the historic King-Cromartie House Museum. Built in 1907, the home is one of the City’s earliest pioneer structures and is leased to the Historical Society, which operates it as a museum and educational site within the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District. The improvements will help preserve the site, which is regularly toured by school groups and visitors. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/45L7JKy.
Commission Accepts Homeland Security Grant for Safety Initiatives
The City Commission accepted a $403,278 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Area Security Initiative, administered through the State of Florida and City of Miami. The funding will support projects by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and the Police Department, including upgrades to the Emergency Operations Center, new cybersecurity tools, cyberattack response and mitigation, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, and regional community resilience initiatives.For more details, visit ftlcity.info/466MhyD.
Commission Reviews Infrastructure Special Obligation Bond
The City Commission approved the Series 2025 Infrastructure Special Obligation Bonds, which will provide $105 million to complete the Police Headquarters, upgrade public safety communications, and fund citywide infrastructure improvements. Of this, $26.9 million is dedicated to roadway and sidewalk projects. The bonds will allow the City to accelerate critical repairs, improve ADA compliance, and strengthen neighborhood infrastructure. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4lYpvP6.
Commission Holds First Reading on Exclusive Children Play Area Ordinance
The City Commission held the first reading of an ordinance to create “exclusive children play areas” within City parks. These designated areas will be clearly marked with signage and limited to children 17 years of age or under, with adults only permitted if accompanying a child. The ordinance is intended to provide safe spaces for children and deter inappropriate or loitering behavior by unaccompanied adults. Parks will be designated case by case with support from the Parks, Recreation, and Beaches Advisory Board. Implementation costs are estimated at $20,000 for signage. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4m29HuO.
Commission Reviews Proposed Anchoring Regulations - The City Commission held the first reading of an ordinance that would limit vessels to anchoring no more than 30 days in any six-month period within Fort Lauderdale waterways. The change follows new state legislation restoring municipal authority to set time-based anchoring limits in large counties, including Broward. While concerns have been raised in areas such as Lake Sylvia, the Intracoastal near Las Olas, and Sunrise Bay, the rules apply citywide and are intended to reduce derelict or abandoned vessels, protect water quality, and improve navigational safety. The Marine Advisory Board recommended approval, and enforcement will be handled by the Police Department’s Marine Patrol Unit. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4g6DdOJ.
Information
For more information on the September 3, 2025, Commission meetings, visit fortlauderdale.legistar.com/calendar.
Upcoming City Commission Meetings
A Special Meeting will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025, for the Second Budget Hearing. The next regularly scheduled City Commission meetings will occur on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. These meetings will be held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in the Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom, 201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.
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