EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Executive Summary
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lorida Statute 212.055(1)(d) authorizes Charter Counties to levy a transportation surtax for certain eligible purposes after the electorate of the Charter County votes to impose the sales surtax. Not all counties are eligible to place transportation surtaxes on their ballots; only Charter Counties and regional transportation systems are. Municipalities and federally-established metropolitan planning organizations are ineligible and may only receive surtax funds for eligible transportation purposes through an interlocal agreement with a Charter County.
The ballot language voted on by Broward residents said the following: “Shall countywide transportation improvements to reduce traffic congestion, improve roads and bridges, enhance traffic signal synchronization, develop safe sidewalks and bicycle pathways, expand and operate bus and special needs transportation, implement rail along approved corridors, and implement emerging transportation technologies, be funded by levying a thirty year, one percent sales surtax, paid by residents and visitors, with the proceeds held in a newly-created trust fund and all expenditures overseen by an independent oversight board?1” The surtax’s stated purpose was a way to enhance and improve existing mobility and transportation services — from roads, bridges, traffic signals and school zones to community shuttles, paratransit and fixed route transit services. New projects are also a significant element of the plan, with nearly 700 county and municipal projects approved since April 2019 (including the Five-Year Plan covering FYs2021-2025). A full transit systemwide study is underway, looking at existing service, while also evaluating premium transit investments like express bus service and rail. A key component of independence is separation of oversight from the elected officials who adopt the County’s budget. The program’s expenditures are being overseen by an Independent Oversight Board (Oversight Board) as promised to voters. The County’s surtax ordinance (Article V, Section 31½ - 75) established an Appointing Authority with representatives from seven community entities, to select the members of the Oversight Board. After an open call for qualified volunteers in eight professional categories, a publicly noticed (“sunshined”) meeting occurred to evaluate and select oversight board members. Several
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https://webapps6.broward.org/newsrelease/View.aspx?intMessageId=11048
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Mobility Advancement Program (MAP) - Inaugural Report
