Vice Mayor and District Commissioner Romney Rogers newsletter

 

A Waterpark in Our Future! On July 10, the City Commission approved the waterpark lease 

proposed by the Schlitterbahn company, touted as America’s First Family of Waterparks 

(http://www.schlitterbahn.com). Schlitterbahn will invest about $100 million into improving a 

64-acre parcel within the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The attraction, expected to open 

in 2017, will also include a parking lot, soccer fields, and improvements to Lockhart Stadium. 

Telephone Town Hall – My Telephone Town Hall Meeting was held on July 10. There were 

13,056 neighbors who joined the call, with 1,500 people on the call at the same time during 

peak participation. Fifteen people asked questions or made comments on such topics as traffic 

calming measures, the budget, road maintenance, current and future development, and flooding. Audio recordings 

of the City Commission’s Telephone Town Hall Meetings are at http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/tth/index.htm.  

FY 2015 Commission Annual Action Plan – The City Manager presented this proposed plan to the Commission 

for approval on July 1. This action plan includes the City’s highest priority strategic initiatives for FY 2015. The steps 

and foundation used to develop this plan include: 

 

 Fast Forward Fort Lauderdale: Our City, Our Vision 2035; 

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 Press Play Fort Lauderdale: Our City, Our Strategic Plan 2018, which incorporates 42% of the Vision Plan ideas; 

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 The citywide, statistically valid Neighbor Survey conducted in November and December of 2013; 

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 Department Performance Analysis and Outlook, developed by staff from each City department, highlighting the 

current and upcoming strategic initiatives, successes, challenges, an environmental scan, and a three- to five- 

year outlook; 

 

 A meeting with the Directors and Assistant Directors of the Community Building Leadership Team; and 

 

 Two prioritization workshops with the Commission: April 17 and June 5. 

Project plans, including scopes and milestones, are being developed by key staff in an interdepartmental approach, 

with preliminary funding allocated through the proposed budget. These initiatives will be integrated as the main 

priorities of each Cylinder of Excellence team’s annual work plan. (Teams: Business Development, Infrastructure, 

Neighborhood Enhancement, Public Places, Public Safety)  

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 Top Priority on Policy Agenda: 17th Street Mobility Plan; Stormwater Management Plan; Comprehensive 

Homeless Strategy; Beach Renourishment  

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 High Priority on Policy Agenda: Traffic Flow and Signal Synchronization Analysis: Moving Cars and People; 

Comprehensive Canal Dredging Master Plan; Riverwalk District Plan; Las Olas Marina; Tunnel Pedestrian Plaza 

and Intersection Improvements 

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 Top Priority on Management Agenda*: All Aboard Florida Passenger Rail and Station Area Plan; Soccer and 

Lacrosse Athletic Fields; Public-Private Boathouse for Crew; Central Beach Master Plan; Marine Industry 

Strategy 

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 High Priority on Management Agenda*: Wastewater Infiltration and Inflow; Shared Use of School Facilities; 

Code Compliance Improvements; Comprehensive Plan Amendments; Emergency Preparedness  

* These items are in progress and must be completed. Progress reports are sent to the Commission quarterly. 

FY 2015 Proposed Budget – The City Manager’s proposed budget was submitted to the City Commission on July 

1; public hearings are set for September 3rd and 10th at 6 PM in the City Hall Commission Chambers. The City’s 

property valuation came in 6.9% higher than last year, marking the 3rd consecutive year that our property values 

have climbed – another indication that our economy is back on track! For the 8th consecutive fiscal year, we’re 

keeping the operating millage rate at 4.1193 per $1,000 of taxable value. (You would have to go back 28 years – to 

1986 – to find a time when Fort Lauderdale had a lower property tax rate than 4.1193.) We have kept the Fire Fee 

at $225 per residential dwelling. The proposed General Fund Budget of $293,765,001, while 2% higher than the 

current FY budget, exceeds policy with total fund balances of $65.7 million or 23.7%. I believe the Proposed Budget 

moves us closer to achieving our citywide Vision of creating a diverse, active, livable, and sustainable community.  

Household Hazardous Waste – The City has partnered with neighboring communities for disposal of household 

hazardous waste and electronics (proof of residency required with driver’s license or utility bill). The schedule is: 

 August 2: City of Fort Lauderdale/Mills Pond Park (9 AM ‐ 2 PM) 2201 NW 9th Avenue 

 September 13: City of Coconut Creek (9 AM ‐ 2 PM) 4800 W. Copans Road 

 November 8: City of Pompano Beach (9 AM ‐ 2 PM) 1660 NE 10th Street (Community Park) 

 December 6: City of Tamarac (9 AM ‐ 2 PM) 6011 Nob Hill Road 

Hurricane Season – See http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/hurricane/index.htm for useful hurricane information. 

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 During the City Commission’s 2014 Summer Recess (through August 17), my City Hall Office Hours for appointments 

are on Tuesdays from 4 - 6 PM. Please contact MJ Matthews at 954-828-5028 or mmatthews@fortlauderdale.gov to schedule.