Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Tracy Jackson
Department: Regional Emerg Svcs & Comm Division: Emergency Management
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney, in coordination with County emergency management staff, to prepare amendments to Chapter 8, Article IV of the Broward County Code of Ordinances and the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan to the extent necessary to grant the County Administrator limited authority to take any necessary actions, including administrative and budgetary actions and executing contracts and other legal instruments, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, related to immediate County needs for cleanup, public assistance, remediation, or public health and safety during the aftermath of a local state of emergency declaration if prompt action is required and Board consideration is not practicable.
ACTION: (T-10:40 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0.
B. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator during the summer recess period (June 14 through August 21) to take all necessary actions, including administrative and budgetary actions and executing contracts and other legal instruments, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, related to immediate County needs for cleanup, public assistance, remediation, or public health and safety during the aftermath of a local state of emergency declaration, provided the contracts do not exceed 90 days in duration and a maximum aggregate amount of $1 million in costs, and subject to prior written notification to the Board for any action for which the cost to the County exceeds $250,000.
ACTION: (T-10:40 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0.
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Why Action is Necessary
Board direction is required for the Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending the Broward County Code of Ordinances and required to authorize the County Administrator to take the referenced actions.
What Action Accomplishes
Directs County staff to prepare the necessary amendments to the Broward County Code of Ordinances and the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, and delegates limited authority to the County Administrator during summer recess related to declared emergencies.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
On April 13, 2023, a local state of emergency was declared pursuant to Section 8-53 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances (“Code”) due to sudden downpours and extensive flooding in certain portions of Broward County. Even after the end of the declared emergency, additional action was still required to be taken on an expedited basis to provide assistance to impacted members of the public, such as executing agreements with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to utilize County property to provide one-stop public assistance centers. The current Code provisions do not permit the County Administrator to exercise emergency authority after the end of the declared state of emergency.
Motion A would direct the Office of the County Attorney, in coordination with County emergency management staff, to prepare amendments to Chapter 8, Article IV of the Code, and the County’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan to the extent applicable to provide appropriate limited authority for the County Administrator to address the needs that continue within the 30 days after the end of a local state of emergency but still require expedited action.
Motion B would provide similar authority during the Board’s summer recess but limits such authority to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1 million with advance written notification to the Board for any action exceeding $250,000.
Source of Additional Information
Tracy L. Jackson, Director, Regional Emergency Services and Communications, (954) 831-3908
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Not determinable at this time.