Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution, the title of which is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR A REFERENDUM ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026, TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO APPROVE A 0.25% SALES SURTAX FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS TO FUND THE BROWARD COUNTY HEALTH CARE PLAN; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Mayor Mark D. Bogen)
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Why Action is Necessary
Formal approval by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”) is necessary for the adoption of a Resolution calling for a referendum election.
What Action Accomplishes
Permits Commission approval of a Resolution to provide for a referendum election.
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Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States-with one death every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease-according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”). In 2022, the most recent year for which statistics are available, heart disease was the leading cause of death in Florida and in Broward County, accounting for 3,532 deaths in Broward County. Heart disease and cardiovascular disease are treatable diseases. Insurance plans typically do not cover preventive cardiac screening tests (e.g., calcium scoring (“CAC”) or a coronary CT angiography (“CCTA”)) at no additional cost to the patient.
The Florida Department of Health indicates that in 2024, cancer was the second leading cause of death in Florida, accounting for 47,990 deaths in Florida and for 3,427 deaths in Broward County. According to the Florida Cancer Data System, the top five most frequently diagnosed cancers-lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, and melanoma-account for approximately half of the cancer diagnoses in Florida.
The proposed Resolution, if enacted, would approve a referendum for the November 3, 2026, general election to levy an Indigent Care and Trauma Center Surtax (“Health Care Surtax”) in the amount of 0.25% for a period of five years to fund a broad range of health care services for persons who are indigent or medically poor, including primary care, preventive care, and hospital care services, as well as innovative, cost-effective programs that include cardiac and cancer preventive screenings, in accordance with the proposed Broward County Health Care Plan (“Health Care Plan”). As provided in the Ordinance (as referenced below), the Health Care Plan will be periodically reviewed and can be revised as determined appropriate.
Revisions to the proposed ballot language may be made prior to the April 28 Commission meeting, including to reflect any revisions to the Health Care Plan and Ordinance; any such revisions will be distributed by additional material.
This item is contingent upon the Commission’s approval of two additional agenda items on the April 28, 2026, agenda: (i) an Ordinance to levy the Health Care Surtax, subject to voter approval of the referendum; and (ii) the Health Care Plan.
Source of Additional Information
René D. Harrod, Chief Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None.