Parking, Masks & The Budget

Hallandale Beach’s on street parking program is currently being implemented. The application for residential discounts and resident parking stickers has gone live online at our website at www.cohb.org at the Parking Services Portal. I have been asked about the application process and enforcement. Residents and visitors will see new parking signs being installed throughout the city indicating paid parking locations. All street parking payments are made through the PayByPhone service by App, Phone, or Online. If you require assistance from the Parking Services team, please call (954) 457-1489 Monday - Thursday 7:00am - 6:00pm or email anytime at Parking@coHB.org. If you need assistance with the Payphone App, please call (877) 610-2054 or visit their website at : https://support.paybyphone.com/hc/en-us

The application is not that complex. You will be required to provide proof of residency, a valid driver’s license and tag number. There will be a window of time over the next few weeks so our staff and police department can register all the applications. After that enforcement will begin. The system operates through everyone’s tag. Parking enforcement officers have tag readers that tie directly to the PayByPhone App. They can tell if you have registered and paid.

I have not written about COVID-19 lately since I believe we have all been inundated with the news about how Florida has once again been the epicenter of the war against public health. I understand that there are always multiple public views on vaccines and masks, but once again the science all points to vaccines are the difference between no or moderate illness or death. They are safe and just like other vaccines are important to prevent disease.

Masks are also still being debated. I had a chance to visit our Gulfstream K-8 for a teacher appreciation day. Everyone was wearing a mask. It is a requirement in schools as it should be and will remain a requirement until the Governor’s fight against public health measures works its way thru the courts system. I asked one of the teachers how it was going with the mask mandate. How many complaints or issues there were? Among all the students and parents there was only one incident with a parent that complained their child could not wear a mask due to allergies.

I found that so odd. Obviously if you are allergic to the rubber or material it is an issue, but a person can always use a cloth tie mask. It is better if you have allergies to wear a mask to prevent dander, dust and other particles while breathing. The student is wearing a mask.

I continue to tell everyone that calls emails and posts online to me, as a city we cannot mandate mask wearing. Condominiums are non profit corporations and just like a business they can develop and im-plement their own protocols. Our city is open, and we have established protocols that include temperature taking, masks and social distancing. We are also testing all employees if they do not have proof of vaccine.

Our commission has adopted the budget on first reading. The tax rate has remained the same at 7.0 percent. Both safe neighborhood district rates have also remained the same at GI 1.0934 and TI 0.6600. The Fire Fee for each type of unit has also remained the same. Properties that have seen an increase in assessed value will see an increase in their taxes. If you are homesteaded that amount of tax increase is capped at 3%. The one fee that has changed is the water and sewer fee. The increase is part of an adopted rate study that was implemented three years ago. The increase has been phased over the three years and has now been implemented fully.

Our fee structure provides for a fair distribution of all costs. Thru a combined base and use fee the fair distribution of maintenance and infrastructure costs are accounted for. Many part time residents do not use as much water but should still share in the costs to deliver the water. The rate increase has been minimal.

These fees help to provide a stable fund to address our water needs. With ongoing infrastructure costs our staff will be conducting a new rate study for water, wastewater and stormwater.

Wishing all our Jewish Friend and Neighbors and Blessed New Year. May you be inscribed in the Book of Life. L ‘Shana Tova.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns and ideas to make our City, a better place, on my phone/text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can e-mail me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Please visit my Facebook Page: MayorJoyCooper. Like It! Friend It! Share It!