Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Mark D. Bogen
Department: County Commission
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to prepare an updated Ordinance and updated Resolution to levy, conditioned upon voter approval by referendum during the November 2024 general election, a 0.25% health care services surtax for a period of ten years pursuant to Section 212.055(4), Florida Statutes, for public hearing consideration by the Board no later than May 7, 2024.
ACTION: (T-10:55 AM) Approved. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
VOTE: 5-4. Commissioner Rogers, Commissioner Udine and Vice-Mayor Furr voted no. Mayor Rich voted no telephonically.
B. MOTION TO DIRECT County Administration to update the draft Broward County Preventive Health Care Program Plan (“Health Care Plan”), which is a required element of the Ordinance referenced in Motion A, for consideration by the Board no later than May 7, 2024; and to authorize the County Administrator to retain or to continue the retention of any medical consultants necessary and appropriate to comply with the referenced direction, subject to review of any contracts for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, and to take any related necessary administrative or budgetary action. (Commissioner Bogen)
ACTION: (T-10:55 AM) Approved as amended as recited by County Attorney Andrew J. Meyers. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
VOTE: 5-4. Commissioner Rogers, Commissioner Udine and Vice-Mayor Furr voted no. Mayor Rich voted no telephonically.
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Why Action is Necessary
Board direction is required to provide the referenced direction and authority.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides the required direction and authority to the Office of the County Attorney and to County Administration.
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Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
On September 21, 2021, the Board directed County Administration and the Office of the County Attorney to prepare the necessary documentation to enable the Board to consider enactment of a preventive health care services program. Pursuant to that direction, County staff obtained consulting services from a medical professional and presented for the Board’s consideration on its January 25, 2022, agenda a proposed Ordinance, a proposed Broward County Preventive Health Care Program Plan (“Health Care Plan”) (Exhibit 1), and a ballot referendum that, if approved by the voters, would have permitted the County to levy a preventive health care services surtax (January 25, 2022, agenda, Item Nos. 77, 78, and 79). The Board’s consideration of those items was deferred pending a workshop with the hospital districts, which ultimately led to the current Broward County Heart Project.
This item would direct County Administration and the Office of the County Attorney to update the required documents to enable the Board to levy a 0.25% indigent care and trauma center sales surtax (“Health Care Surtax”) pursuant to Section 212.055(4), Florida Statutes, for a period of ten years, subject to approval by a majority of the electors of Broward County at the November 2024 general election. The proposed Health Care Surtax would provide a broad range of health care services including, but not limited to, preventive cardiac and cancer screenings. The proposed Health Care Plan would be administered, to the greatest extent permissible under applicable law, by an independent committee established by the Board.
In order to be considered during the November 2024 general election, the proposed Ordinance and the updated Health Care Plan must be submitted to the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability no later than May 9, 2024.
Motion A would direct the Office of the County Attorney to update the proposed Ordinance and the proposed Resolution for a referendum for the November 2024 election. Motion B would direct County Administration to update the Health Care Plan (which is a required element of the Ordinance) consistent with this item, and would authorize the County Administrator to retain (or to continue the retention of) any medical consultants that the County Administrator determines are necessary to assist with preparing the updated Health Care Plan. Both Motion A and Motion B would require the resulting documentation to be prepared in time for final approval by the Board on May 7, 2024.
Source of Additional Information
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
To be determined by the Office of Management and Budget upon presentation of a draft Ordinance and the updated Health Care Plan.