Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Public Works and Environmental Services
Division: Animal Care Division
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County, Florida, accepting an initial donation in the amount of $955,777 and up to $50,000 from any reserve funds later distributed through September 30, 2028, from the Estate of Ronald L. Smith to be deposited in the Animal Care General Trust Fund for the funding of general animal welfare programs, and to authorize the County Administrator to take any necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement same.
B. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution within the Animal Care General Trust Fund to appropriate revenue received by donation from the Estate of Ronald L. Smith, in the initial amount of $955,777 and any reserve funds later distributed to the County, to allocate funds for the purpose of augmenting general animal welfare programs.
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Why Action is Necessary
Motion A. Section 18.63 of the Broward County Administrative Code requires that donations to Broward County valued at $25,000 or more be accepted by a resolution of the Board of County Commissioners.
Motion B. Board of County Commission approval is required to appropriate additional revenues not anticipated when the budget was adopted.
What Action Accomplishes
Motion A. Authorizes the Animal Care Division to accept a donation in the initial amount of $955,777, as well as any reserve funds later distributed by the Estate of Ronald L. Smith to the County.
Motion B. Recognizes and appropriates funding from the Estate of Ronald L. Smith for the purpose of augmenting general animal welfare programs.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
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Previous Action Taken
None taken.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE ANIMAL CARE DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
The Animal Care Division (ACD), a beneficiary of the Estate of Ronald L. Smith, is due to receive an initial donation of $955,777. The Estate is reserving $500,000 to pay expenses that may arise before the Estate is closed and will distribute any remaining reserve funds to the beneficiaries at a later date.
ACD is requesting an appropriation of $955,777 within the Animal Care General Trust Fund. Potential proposed uses include purchasing vacant land adjacent to the Animal Care facility from the Broward County Aviation Department, additional Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) vouchers, and other efforts to augment general animal welfare programs. The vacant property does not flood and will enable ACD to build dog play areas, providing a substantive, long-term investment in the well-being of pets housed at ACD. The average cost of a TNR voucher is approximately $75.
If approved, this resolution furthers ACD’s goal of promoting community safety; developing and implementing life-saving programs that will increase positive outcomes for shelter animals; and reducing pet overpopulation.
Inherent in the motion is authorization for the County Administrator to take all administrative and budgetary actions required to implement the donation, including execution of the Waiver of Accounting, Release, and Receipt of Partial Distribution form.
Source of Additional Information
W. Douglas Brightwell, Director, Animal Care Division, (954) 357-9752.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The donated funds in the amount of 955,777 from the Estate of Ronald L. Smith are to be deposited into the Animal Care General Trust Fund, and this will augment general animal welfare programs. Additionally, the up to $50,000 from the reserve funds will be allocated in the future when received.