Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Lamar P. Fisher
Department: County Commission
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, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR THE FLORIDA RAIL ENTERPRISE PROGRAM TO FUND THE SOUTH FLORIDA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY’S TRI-RAIL OPERATIONS TO MAINTAIN TRI-RAIL’S LEVEL OF SERVICE; URGING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) TO INCLUDE SUCH FUNDING, AS MAY BE NECESSARY, IN THE APPROPRIATE CURRENT AND FUTURE FDOT FIVE-YEAR WORK PROGRAMS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Commissioner Lamar P. Fisher)
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Why Action is Necessary
Formal approval by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) is necessary for the adoption of a Resolution.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the adoption of the Resolution.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
This item supports the Commission Goal of “Connected Community,” insofar as it supports “[c]ooperatively delivering an efficient and accessible regional intermodal transportation network.”
As a result of the Florida Legislature’s passage of HB 7031 (2025), a significant portion of funding to the Florida Rail Enterprise Program has been eliminated. This program provides resources to support the Tri-Rail service provided by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (“SFRTA”).
The SFRTA has stated that despite utilization of its financial reserves and the implementation of operational efficiencies (including lowering administrative costs below state averages), reductions in state funding will result in at least a $30 million annual budget deficit. The SFRTA has further indicated that without restoration of state funding as existed prior to the passage of HB 7031, it may become more difficult for the SFRTA to maintain Tri-Rail’s current service levels, pursue future improvements, and/or meet certain federal program requirements.
If adopted, the Resolution contains a statement from the Board urging the Florida Legislature to appropriate funding to the Florida Rail Enterprise Program for supporting Tri-Rail operations in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties and for the Florida Department of Transportation (“FDOT”) to restore funding for Tri-Rail, as necessary, in the appropriate current and future FDOT Five-Year Work Programs.
If adopted, direction is given to the County Administrator to forward a certified copy of the Resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, Chair and all other members of the Broward County State Legislative Delegation, Secretary of FDOT, District 4 Secretary of FDOT, and the Executive Director of the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Resolution further directs the County Administrator to have the County’s state lobbyists advocate for the restoration of Tri-Rail funding and to have the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs include this matter in the proposed 2026 State Legislative Package.
Source of Additional Information
Mabel Hurtado, Commission Assistant, District 4, 954-357-7004
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None.