Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Mark D. Bogen
Department: County Commission
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to prepare any necessary amendments to the Broward County Code of Ordinances or the Broward County Administrative Code to reduce the license and registration fees for locksmiths and locksmith businesses. (Commissioner Bogen)
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Why Action is Necessary
Required to provide the referenced Board direction to the Office of the County Attorney.
What Action Accomplishes
Directs the Office of the County Attorney to prepare the referenced amendments.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
On February 9, 2021, the Board enacted the Broward County Locksmith Act (“Locksmith Act”). The Locksmith Act requires that active locksmiths and locksmith businesses apply for the required license and registration within 90 days (which may be extended for good cause for an additional 90 days).
At the same time the Board enacted the Locksmith Act, the Board adopted the initial fee structure, which includes locksmith license fees of $120 annually, locksmith business registration fees of $505 annually per location, and the applicable fees imposed by law enforcement agencies for criminal background checks ($37.25 or more, depending upon the applicant). At the time of enactment of the Locksmith Act, the fee structure was based upon the estimated cost for Environmental and Consumer Protection Division (“ECPD”) to administer the program. Now that 90 days have elapsed since enactment of the Locksmith Act, indications from the industry are that the fee structure may be prohibitively high (for example, locksmith businesses with multiple locations may be subject to thousands of dollars in annual registration fees).
This item, if approved, would direct the Office of the County Attorney, in collaboration with ECPD staff, to prepare appropriate amendments to the Locksmith Act and the associated provisions in the Administrative Code to reduce license and registration fees as much as possible.
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.