Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2021-505 directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of the Governmental Center to consider enactment of a proposed Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, CREATING THE BROWARD COUNTY PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM 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 HALF-PERCENT (.5%) HEALTH CARE SURTAX FOR A PERIOD OF 12 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 Commissioner Mark D. Bogen)
body
Why Action is Necessary
The proposed Ordinance was prepared by the Office of the County Attorney at the direction of the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of September 21, 2021.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Board may consider enacting an Ordinance, subject to voter approval, levying a .5% surtax for a period of 12 years for certain health care services.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
This item supports the Commission Value: “Approaching human services collaboratively and compassionately, with special emphasis on the most vulnerable,” and the Commission Goal: “Deliver evidence-based services to the public, and connect customers and their family members, to sustainable support, with special emphasis on financial supports.”
Heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death in the United States and in Broward County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) calculates that one person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease, and the Florida Department of Health indicates that heart disease accounts for approximately two out of ten deaths in Florida. In 2019, the most recent year for which statistics are available, heart disease was the leading cause of death in Broward County, accounting for the deaths of 3,602 Broward County residents. Cancer accounted for 3,391 deaths in Broward County in 2019, according to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
A team of experts, led by Dr. Ricardo Cury, an expert in the field of cardiology, the Director of Cardiac Imaging at Baptist Hospital of Miami and Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, and a clinical professor at Florida International University, reviewed the current health care needs of County residents, including residents who qualify as indigent or medically poor. According to Dr. Cury and his team of experts, early detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease are pivotal in helping Broward County residents live longer, healthier lives. The review and analysis of Broward County health care needs by these medical experts resulted in a comprehensive analysis (Exhibit 4, which will be distributed as Additional Material when it is finalized), which includes the details of the recommended Broward County Preventive Health Care Program Plan (“Health Care Plan”). The final version of the proposed Health Care Plan will be presented for approval by the Board at the November 4, 2021, Board meeting.
The proposed Ordinance provides for the levy of an Indigent Care and Trauma Center Surtax (“Health Care Surtax”) of one-half percent (.5%) for a period of 12 years, subject to approval by a majority of the electors of Broward County voting in a referendum election. The proceeds of the Health Care Surtax would be expended as authorized in Section 212.055(4), Florida Statutes, and in accordance with the Health Care Plan as approved by the Board, including as may be amended from time to time.
Exhibit 3 is a list provided by the sponsor of this item identifying the current supporters of the proposed preventive health care program.
Source of Additional Information
Rene D. Harrod, Chief Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget will be provided at the time of the public hearing, in compliance with Section 18.5(e)(7) of the Broward County Administrative Code.