Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Joseph Morris
Department: Port Everglades Division: Director’s Office
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator or assigned Authorized Official designated in writing to accept a grant award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, pursuant to the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Port Security Grant Program, in the amount of $622,938, requiring $207,646 in matching non-Federal funds from the County for a total approved project cost of $830,584, for expenses related to port security enhancements between September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2028; to take all administrative or budgetary actions necessary to accept and implement the grant; and to execute the grant agreement, subject to review and approval as to legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney.
B. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution within the Port’s Capital Fund in the amount of $622,938 for port security enhancement projects.
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Why Action is Necessary
Broward County Board of County Commissioners approval is required to authorize the County Administrator or designee to accept the grant award for funding under the Fiscal Year 2025 Port Security Grant Program.
What Action Accomplishes
Authorizes the County Administrator or designee to accept a grant to provide funding for high priority security enhancements at Port Everglades that were identified and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port and the Miami Area Maritime Security Committee.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE PORT EVERGLADES DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.
This action supports the Broward County Board of County Commissioners' (“Board”) Value of “Building partnership and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives,” and the Goal of “Ensuring economic opportunities and a sustainable economy, with an emphasis on Broward’s lower and middle class.”
On September 28, 2025, Port Everglades staff was notified that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) Fiscal Year 2025 Preparedness Grant Program had awarded Broward County and the Port Everglades Department grant funding under the Port Security Grant Program (“PSGP”) in the amount of $622,938 to purchase and install new upgraded network hardware with associated components integrated with artificial intelligence-infused software to provide enhancements to the current security network in addition to enhanced overall system cybersecurity (see Exhibit 1). The focus is enhanced threat protection. Modern switches, firewalls, and routers include built-in intrusion prevention systems, advanced malware detection, and application-aware traffic control that the port’s legacy hardware cannot support.
Funding for projects approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and FEMA require a 25% cost share ($207,646) from Broward County. Total estimated project cost for the approved security projects, including the County matching funds, is $830,584.
Approval of this item will allow the County Administrator to approve and delegate digital grant acceptance for the Grant Award Letter and Award Package to the designated Authorized Official to approve the grant award documents. Note that the Grant Award Letter and Award Package has certain information redacted since it is considered Sensitive Security Information.
The Grant Award Letter and Award Package has been reviewed and approved as to form by the Office of the County Attorney.
Source of Additional Information
Rob Jenkins, Security Manager, Port Everglades Department, (954) 468-0119
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Funding for the required local match is available in the Port Everglades Capital Fund.