Bike Sharing Program

click on link:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-delray-bike-sharing-program-20110322,0,6351246.story

Water Restrictions

Remember! Mandatory Modified Phase II Water Restrictions are in Effect

The City of Fort Lauderdale is currently under Modified Phase II Water Restrictions, as mandated by the South Florida Water Management District. These restrictions apply to all individuals who use City of Fort Lauderdale water, as well as water from private wells, lakes, canals, or other sources.

Lawn Watering Restrictions

Residents and businesses are currently limited to a two-day-per-week landscape irrigation schedule with two "watering windows,” which are 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Irrigation is never allowed on any day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. or on a Friday.

• Odd numbered addresses (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• Even numbered addresses (0, 2, 4, 6, 8), properties with no address, or properties that irrigate both even and odd addresses within the same zones, including multi-family units and homeowners/civic associations, may water on Thursdays and Sundays from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Please note: Residents should avoid watering during both time periods on the same day. The SFWMD recommends the efficient use of water, which includes placing a maximum of about three-quarters of an inch to an inch of water once per week on lawns and watering during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest to reduce evaporation losses.

• Landscape irrigation using reclaimed water is not restricted.
• Hand watering with a hose that has an adjustable automatic shut-off, trigger style nozzle attached is permitted anytime.
• Car, boat, and other vehicle washing is allowed. Always attach an adjustable spray or trigger nozzle to the hose and wash vehicles over a non-paved, grassy or porous area.

New Landscaping, Sod or Other Plantings

New landscaping should be installed within a reasonable time from the date of purchase and verified with a receipt or invoice.

In place on first day:

• New landscaping can be watered without regard to restrictions on the first day it is installed.

In place from 2 days to 30 days:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday AND/OR Sunday (any days except Friday): 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. AND/OR 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

In place from 31 days to 90 days:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, AND Saturday: 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. AND/OR 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Additional watering days can only be used to benefit new landscaping, and an entire irrigation system zone may only be watered if it contains at least 50% new landscaping.

Drip, bubble and micro-jet systems that apply water directly to root plant zones may be used anytime. Any low-volume system should not produce water runoff.

Landscape irrigation systems may be operated once a week during restricted days and/or times for cleaning, maintenance and repair if someone is on site in the area being tested. Testing should not exceed 10 minutes per zone.

Applying Lawn Maintenance Products

Landscape irrigation for watering-in fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides is allowed for one application unless the need for more than one application is stated in the directions specified by the product manufacturer.

Watering-in is allowed only during established watering days and times unless a professional licensed applicator has posted a temporary sign with the date of the application and the date of needed watering-in.

Enforcement of Water Restrictions

As per Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances, the City will strictly enforce the water use restrictions set forth by the South Florida Water Management District when a water shortage has been declared.

The City will be closely monitoring all warnings and citations issued. Water use violations may result in a citation with a civil penalty of $50, or $125 if contested. Each repeat violation will result in a civil penalty, which will be doubled for each occurrence up to a maximum of $500. Violations may also require an appearance before a special magistrate.

More Information

For additional information, residents are encouraged to call the SFWMD’s toll-free Water Shortage Hotline at 1-800-662-8876 or contact their regional SFWMD service center. Helpful water conservation tips and specific information on current water use restrictions are available at www.savewaterfl.com.

Ask Lori

“Ask Lori…Parrish on Appraisal”

Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish Answers Your Questions…

“New Tax Exemption for Deployed Service Members”

Dear Lori:

I am a retired Army officer and current realtor who works with active and retired military personnel. Last year a FloridaConstitutional Amendment passed, granting property tax breaks to deployed military personnel. The Amendment requires the legislature to pass implementing legislation. Do you have any information on the implementation of the Active Duty Military Exemption approved last year? It is a well deserved break for my military clients who have sacrificed so much.

D.M. Colonel, USA Retired (via email)

The Homestead Ad Valorem Tax Credit for Deployed Military Personnel, also known as Amendment 2, was approved by the voters in the November 2010 General Election. Amendment 2 provides an additional homestead property tax exemption for a member of the United States military or military reserves, the United States Coast Guard or its reserves, or the Florida National Guard who receives a Homestead Exemption and was deployed in the previous year on active duty outside the continental United States, Alaska, or Hawaii in support of a designated military operation.

The implementing legislation, HB 1141; passed unanimously and was approved by the governor. This legislation identifies the qualifying deployments as Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. Qualified service members shall receive an additional exemption equal to a percentage of the taxable value of his or her homestead property in the year following his or her deployment. The applicable percentage shall be calculated as the number of days in that year. For example, if a soldier were to be deployed in Afghanistan for six months, the exemption would apply to 50 percent of the following year’s ad valorem tax bill. For a three month deployment, a 25 percent exemption would be applied, and so on.

The applying service member will be required to complete an application identifying which of the three operations he or she was deployed to; the dates deployed during the preceding year; and proof of deployment. This exemption becomes effective for the 2011 assessment year. Both the application and exemption details are posted on our website at www.bcpa.net. The deadline to apply for this year is September 19, 2011.

Additional exemptions are also available for Veterans’ Service-Related Disability Exemption, Full Exemption for Service-Connected Total and Permanent Disability, and Exemption for Combat-Wounded Florida Disabled Veterans. If you believe you or a family member may be eligible for a Veteran’s Exemption, please visit our website at www.bcpa.net and click on “Homestead & Other Exemptions”, located on the top of the page and scroll down to the applicable exemption or contact our Customer Service Division at 954.357.6830.

Sincerely,

Lori Parrish, CFA

If you have a question for Lori, please email her at lori@bcpa.net or write to her at the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 111, and Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. (6/11)

Robert L. Wolfe, Jr. CFE
Community Outreach Specialist II
954.357.6871 – office
954.357.8474 – fax
954.445.5732 – cell

rwolfe@bcpa.net

Follow our office at: http://www.facebook.com/propertyappraiser and http://twitter.com/loriparrish

Your Burglar Won't Tell You

Subject: 13 THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU 1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator. 2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier. 3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have. 4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.. 5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway. 6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy. 7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too. 8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather. 9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. ( Don't take me up on it. ) 10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet. 11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms. 12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me. 13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at http://www.faketv/.com/ ) 8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU 1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook. 2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors. 3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature. 4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it? 5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets. 6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address. 7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation. 8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in. * Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs http://www.crimedoctor.com/ www.crimedoctor.com/>; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job. Protection for you and your home: If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you. WASP SPRAY A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead. The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection.. Thought this was interesting and might be of use. FROM ANOTHER SOURCE: On the heels of a break-in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self-defense experts have a tip that could save your life. Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School . For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed. Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them." Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says, "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades. It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray. "That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out." Maybe even save a life. Put your car keys beside your bed at night. Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr.'s office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works IF you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime. P.S. I am sending this to everyone I know because I think it is fantastic. Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem. Please pass this on even if you've read it before. It's a reminder.