Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO WAIVE Section 18.5.e.1. of the Broward County Administrative Code, which requires that the Board first direct the County Attorney’s Office to draft a proposed Ordinance.
B. MOTION TO ENACT Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, CREATING THE BROWARD COUNTY HEALTH CARE PLAN ORDINANCE; CREATING ARTICLE VII OF CHAPTER 31½ OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES (“CODE”) FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEVYING, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY REFERENDUM, A QUARTER-PERCENT (0.25%) HEALTH CARE SURTAX FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS; CREATING A SEGREGATED TRUST FUND INTO WHICH ALL HEALTH CARE SURTAX FUNDS WILL BE DEPOSITED; PROVIDING FOR THE USE OF THE HEALTH CARE SURTAX FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BROWARD COUNTY HEALTH CARE PLAN; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Mayor Mark D. Bogen)
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Why Action is Necessary
Board action is necessary to enact an Ordinance.
What Action Accomplishes
Allows for the Board’s consideration of the proposed Ordinance.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
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Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. In 2024, the most recent year for which statistics are available, heart disease was the leading cause of death in Florida and in Broward County, accounting for 3,532 deaths in Broward County. Insurance plans typically do not cover the full cost of preventive cardiac screening tests (e.g., calcium scoring (“CAC”) or a coronary CT angiography (“CCTA”)).
The Florida Department of Health indicates that in 2024, cancer was the second leading cause of death in Florida, accounting for 47,990 deaths in Florida and for 3,427 deaths in Broward County. According to the Florida Cancer Data System, the top five most frequently diagnosed cancers-lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, and melanoma-account for approximately half of the cancer diagnoses in Florida.
The proposed Ordinance, if enacted, would authorize, subject to approval by a majority of the electors of Broward County voting in a referendum election on November 3, 2026, the levy of an Indigent Care and Trauma Center Surtax (“Health Care Surtax”) in the amount of 0.25% for a period of five years to fund a broad range of health care services for persons who are indigent or medically poor, including primary care, preventive care, and hospital care services, as well as innovative, cost-effective programs that include cardiac and cancer preventive screenings, in accordance with the proposed Broward County Health Care Plan, as same may be amended from time to time (“Health Care Plan”).
The initial Health Care Plan is attached hereto as Exhibit 4, but revisions are anticipated as County Administration continues to consult with medical professionals and the Ordinance’s sponsor. Any revisions to the Health Care Plan will be distributed as additional material. The Health Care Plan, including as may be revised, is also presented for the Board’s consideration pursuant to a separate item on this agenda.
Notice of the public hearing to consider enactment of the proposed Ordinance has been published in accordance with Florida law.
Source of Additional Information
René D. Harrod, Chief Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Fiscal Impact Statement is attached as Exhibit 2.