Paving The Way To A Better Future: Budget Workshops & Discussions Are Underway in Hallandale Beach

By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper

August 31, 2023

In last week's article, I made a presentation about the Budget and changes that may occur during the Workshop. Our Budget was passed unanimously, and we actually did have a robust conversation about Repaving Roadways. We all have been hearing complaints about the neglected Roadways. For years before COVID-19 our City always had a Program where we would Repave Roadways in each Quadrant in a rotational manner. For the past years no repaving has been budgeted for or taken place. Our City then, like all others, had to deal with the financial uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the past we utilized money from our Transportation Fund. This Fund has never been a large Fund and consists of a small portion of Gas Taxes. Any additional funding had to come from our General Fund. Not all streets are City streets, some are State Roads and County Roads that are refurbished and partnered with Broward County. Broward County gets the lion share of all Gas Taxes.

Last year we put Repaving back in the Budget and allocated $500,000 to Repave Roads that were not slated for Underground Infrastructure Improvements. The schedule was posted, and the contractor began to asphalt the scheduled roads. In abundance of caution due to various procurement rules and regulations the work was stopped. Staff worked with our legal and procurement departments to address how we could Budget and plan this work in the most Efficient and Cost-Effective Way.

During this Budget Workshop it was confirmed that we will be able to start Repaving throughout the City and now the Fund will be $1,000,000. Repaving should begin in January. Commissioner Butler brought forth a discussion based on the fact that we are looking at a Stable Budget. Is there any way that we can put more money into Repaving? Many residents, particularly in the Golden Isles Area, have been requesting and waiting for Repaving for years. We all pay the same Millage Rate but that does not mean we pay the same amount in Taxes. New residents that have moved in are paying over $75,000 a year simply in Taxes and are frustrated.

Ironically three years ago there was $100,000 I had requested in the GI Safe Neighborhood District that was proposed by the Advisory Board to seal the streets. The GISND is a separate Taxing District that is only paid for by the residents that live in that District.

The City Commission agreed that pretty much every Road needs to be Paved since it hadn't been done in quite some time. We also agreed that if we are digging up Roadways for Underground Infrastructure it seems to be foolish to put down brand new asphalt and then just dig it up to patch it. So, the debate became how do we Amend the Budget or add to it.

On the Western Side of the City there's going to be over $20 Million in CRA Community Redevelopment Dollars redoing Sidewalks, Lighting and Trees. Golden Isles or Three Islands Safe Neighborhood Districts are looking at similar plans but do not have the benefit of a CRA. Funding for projects East of 14th Avenue must come from other Revenues such as the General Fund, Transportation Fund, Grants or directly from the Residents living in those Districts.

At the end of a robust debate consensus was reached that Staff can expedite and move forward without the detriment to any other projects we would support Repaving Roads that were not planned to be dug up. Staff were directed to work on programming and scheduling.

On another note, I asked when they were going to be Repairing Hallandale Beach Boulevard. This Road is a State Road. Director of Public Works Jeff Odoms informed us that he believes it is slated for refurbishment, but we'll be requesting from the Florida Department of Transportation what date it is slated for.

There were not many more discussions during this Budget Workshop. As I wrote last week we Budget all year and work on the area's topics.

The first Budget Hearing is scheduled on Friday, September 13th, 2023 at 5:05 p.m. and the final Budget Hearing is scheduled on Tuesday, September 26th, 2023 at 5:05 p.m. Both meetings are at City Hall located at 400 South Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009. Every resident is encouraged to come out to participate or watch the meeting live.

As always please feel free to contact me anytime with your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place! I am available at: jcooper@cohb.org. Or: joycooper@aol.com. On my Office number at: (954) 457-1318. Or on my Cell/Text at: (954) 632-5700. You can always visit my Facebook and follow me at: Mayor Joy Cooper.