Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2021-518 Amending the Broward County Administrative Code, the title of which is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO THE OFFICE OF FILM AND TO FILM, TELEVISION, AND MEDIA INCENTIVE PROGRAMS; AMENDING SECTION 13.41 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE ("ADMINISTRATIVE CODE"); CREATING SECTIONS 13.42 THROUGH 13.45 OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Mayor Steve Geller, and Cosponsored by
Commissioner Dr. Barbara Sharief)
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Why Action is Necessary
A Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish notice of public hearing to consider adoption of the Resolution Amending the Broward County Administrative Code was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of October 19, 2021.
What Action Accomplishes
Permits the Board to consider adopting a Resolution amending Section 13.41 and creating Sections 13.42 through 13.45 of the Broward County Administrative Code pertaining to the Office of Film, and film, television, and media incentive programs.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
This item supports the Broward County Board of County Commissioners' Values of "[c]ultivating community culture, arts, recreation, and lifelong learning" and "[e]nsuring economic opportunities for Broward's diverse population and businesses." This item further supports the Board's Goals of: (1) "[p]rovid[ing] diverse artistic, cultural, educational, and historical amenities and programs that contribute to a vibrant, multicultural and economically viable community. . ."; and (2) "[d]iversify[ing] the local economy, attract[ing] industries offering high-wage jobs with benefits while balancing economic, educational, environmental, and community needs."
Over the past 100 years, Florida had invested in the film and television industry, and had been a prime location for film, television, and other entertainment productions. Notwithstanding the economic benefits to the State of Florida and its residents from this industry, in 2016, the Florida Legislature formally ended the statewide film tax incentive program. Organizations such as Film Florida have stated that since the end of the state's film incentive program, the State of Florida has lost in excess of $1.3 billion in tax revenues, as well as thousands of jobs and billions of economic benefits from this industry. Currently, Florida is the only state in the Southeast and only one of 17 in the United States without any film incentive program.
On September 9, 2021, the Office of the County Attorney was directed to draft an ordinance creating a Broward County Office of Film and to amend the Broward County Administrative Code ("Administrative Code") creating a film incentive program. As part of the drafting process, the Office of the County Attorney determined that the Office of Film could be established via amendments to the Administrative Code rather than by separate ordinance.
If adopted, the proposed Administrative Code provisions, which are recommended by County Administration, would establish an Office of Film (reporting to the Office of Economic and Small Business Development), with a Film Commissioner as its director, provide minimum qualifications for the Film Commissioner, and establish a film incentive program. In addition, since there are ongoing discussions with representatives of Miami-Dade County and Palm Beach County that may lead to a more comprehensive incentive program for South Florida, the proposed incentive programs provide for automatic modifications if Interlocal Agreements are entered into between Broward County and one or more of its neighboring counties.
Source of Additional Information
Nathaniel A. Klitsberg, Senior Assistant County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The aggregate maximum amount of Incentives has been established by the Board for Fiscal Year 2022 as $500,000. The funding for three positions for the Office of Film are included in the Fiscal Year 2022 Adopted Budget.