Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ENACT Ordinance, the title of which is as follows (continued from December 7, 2021 - Item No. 71):
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 (0.5%) 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; CREATING AN ADVISORY BOARD; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Commissioner Mark D. Bogen)
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Why Action is Necessary
A Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish notice of public hearing to consider enactment of the Ordinance was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of October 19, 2021.
What Action Accomplishes
Permits the Board to consider enacting an Ordinance, subject to voter approval, creating the referenced program and levying a 0.5% surtax for a period of 12 years to provide program funding.
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.”
The proposed Ordinance provides for the levy of a one-half percent (0.5%) sales surtax (“Health Care Surtax”) for a period of 12 years, subject to approval by a majority of the electors of Broward County voting in a referendum election in 2022. The proceeds of the Health Care Surtax would be expended as authorized in Section 212.055(4), Florida Statutes, and in accordance with the Broward County Preventive Health Care Program Plan (“Health Care Plan”) as approved by the Board, including as may be amended from time to time. The Health Care Plan and a Resolution setting forth the proposed ballot question for the referendum will be considered by the Board under separate agenda items on the January 25, 2022, agenda.
The proposed Ordinance (Exhibit 1) has been updated by the sponsor to include an Advisory Board of experts that will provide nonbinding recommendations regarding the administration and operation of the Health Care Plan, and that will review and provide recommendations regarding the proposed and actual expenditures of Health Care Surtax proceeds. These changes are reflected in the operative version of the proposed Ordinance (Exhibit 2), and notice of the updated version was published for the January 25, 2022, public hearing.
Exhibit 4 is a list provided by the sponsor of this item identifying current supporters of the proposed preventive health care program.
Source of Additional Information
René D. Harrod, Chief Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget is attached as Exhibit 3.