Fort Lauderdale Forum

10/07/2026

Oct 7, 2026
Updates from the October 6 City of Fort Lauderdale Commission Meetings

The City of Fort Lauderdale hosts City Commission meetings in person at various temporary locations. If any person wishes to address the City Commission, the person shall sign up using the City Clerk’s iPad. The public can listen to and view City Commission meetings on FLTV, YouTube, Comcast Channel 78, and AT&T U-verse Channel 99. To learn more about City Commission meetings, visit fortlauderdale.gov/citycommissionmeetings.

In case you missed them, the following are highlights from the Fort Lauderdale City Commission meetings on Tuesday October 6, 2026. The video is available at youtube.com/cityoffortlauderdale, and the vote summary will be available later this week at fortlauderdale.legistar.com/calendar.

CITY COMMISSION COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD MEETING

R-1 CRA Moves Sistrunk Boulevard Property Toward Redevelopment

The CRA Board approved the transfer of a City-owned vacant lot at 1306 NW 6th Street (Sistrunk Boulevard) to the CRA, positioning the property for future redevelopment. The 4,069-square-foot lot is valued at $140,000 and sits next to another CRA-owned property. The CRA will seek proposals to redevelop the site, with the goal of putting vacant public land back into productive use and creating opportunities for new investment and business activity along the corridor. The effort is part of the CRA’s broader work to strengthen the area through redevelopment that supports long-term growth and benefits the surrounding community. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4jJP8pq.

CITY COMMISSION CONFERENCE MEETING

BUS-1 Commission Reviews Location for New Downtown Sewer Lift Station

The Commission received an update on plans for the new A-5 Sanitary Sewer Lift Station, a critical infrastructure project needed to provide additional sewer capacity in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. The existing A-7 sewer basin has reached capacity, creating challenges for proposed development in the area. The new lift station would divide the existing basin and provide the additional capacity needed to support future development downtown. The project has an allocated budget of $11.5 million and preliminary design work has been completed. City staff evaluated several potential locations and recommended the One Stop Shop site for the new facility. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4rORu8y.

BUS-2 Commission Reviews Vision for Future Growth of South Regional Activity Center

The Commission received an update on the South Regional Activity Center (SRAC) Vision Plan, which provides a long-term framework for growth and redevelopment in the area bound by the Tarpon River on the north, south to State Road 84, between the FEC tracks and US-1. Developed with input from residents and community stakeholders, the plan includes recommendations to expand housing options, define streetscape and building design, improve transportation and strengthen resiliency, while creating more inviting public spaces. It also proposes simplifying the area’s zoning to better guide future development and protect the character of surrounding neighborhoods. The consensus gained through the Vision Plan will be used to guide Phase Two, which will involve developing a comprehensive Master Plan, updating development rules and land use policies for the area, collectively intended to encourage thoughtful redevelopment while creating a more connected and resilient community for current and future residents. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4AUQCU1.

BUS-3 Commission Reviews Proposed E-Bike and Micromobility Regulations

The Commission reviewed proposed regulations for electric bicycles and other micromobility devices in response to increased use and public safety concerns throughout Fort Lauderdale. The proposed ordinance would establish rules for where the devices can be operated, require registration with the City and create penalties for violations. It would also restrict their use in City parks. During the discussion, Commissioners called for stronger protections for pedestrians and raised concerns about allowing electric bicycles and other micromobility devices on City sidewalks. The Commission also questioned the proposed age requirement and discussed further limiting device use within parks. City staff will use the feedback to refine the ordinance before it returns for consideration. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4ATZLMC.

BUS-4 Commission Reviews Options to Preserve Train Horn Quiet Zone

The Commission received an update on Fort Lauderdale’s participation in the countywide train horn Quiet Zone along the Florida East Coast Railway corridor. The Federal Railroad Administration identified deficiencies with the existing Quiet Zone and has warned that it could be suspended or terminated if the issues are not addressed. City staff recommended remaining part of the countywide Quiet Zone, which would allow the existing restrictions on routine train horn use to remain in place while participating cities work to meet federal requirements. Fort Lauderdale is also moving forward with $5.5 million in safety improvements at six railroad crossings, including new exit gates and raised medians, with the City contributing approximately $676,000. The City must notify the Federal Railroad Administration of its Quiet Zone decision by November 1. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4j8Pmq3.

CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING

M-4 Commission Approves $6.9 Million for Water and Wastewater System Operations

The Commission approved approximately $6.9 million for equipment, replacement parts and services needed to support the City’s water and wastewater systems. Utility Services operates three water treatment facilities, a regional wastewater treatment facility and 186 sanitary sewer pump stations while maintaining more than 1,400 miles of underground infrastructure. The funding allows the City to replace and repair specialized equipment as needed to maintain reliable operations and continue providing water and wastewater services to approximately 250,000 neighbors and guests. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4B0vLij.

R-5 Commission Approves Additional Funding for Affordable Housing Development

The Commission approved an additional $105,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funding to H.O.M.E.S., Inc. for an affordable housing development at 1210 NE 5th Terrace. The project will create four energy-efficient, two-bedroom apartments for seniors age 62 and older who are raising their grandchildren or other related children. The homes will be affordable to households earning no more than 80% of the Area Median Income. The funding will close the project’s remaining financing gap and builds on $400,000 previously approved by the City and the CRA’s donation of the property. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4zotcoG.

CM-9 Commission Approves School Resource Officer Agreement

The Commission approved a one-year agreement with the School Board of Broward County to continue the School Resource Officer Program at eight Fort Lauderdale schools. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department will assign nine officers to serve full-time on school campuses during the 2026-27 school year. The School Board will reimburse the City approximately $1.07 million for the officers, allowing the City to continue providing a dedicated law enforcement presence to support safety at participating schools. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4ybdmg6.

R-9 Commission Approves $18 Million Investment at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport

The Commission approved a new consolidated lease with Sheltair Executive South, LLC at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) that will support continued investment and development at the airport. Under the 30-year lease, Sheltair is required to invest at least $18 million in improvements over five years, including construction of at least 50,000 square feet of hangar and office space and a new aviation fueling facility. The agreement also expands the property available for future development and is expected to generate additional revenue for FXE.
For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4j8PR3p.

For more information on the October 6, 2026, Commission meetings, visit fortlauderdale.legistar.com/calendar.

Upcoming City Commission Meetings
The next regularly scheduled City Commission meetings will occur on Tuesday, October 20, 2026
City of Fort Lauderdale
101 NE 3rd Ave. Suite 1430, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
fortlauderdale.gov | 954-828-8000

09/28/2026

Exciting news from City of Fort Lauderdale regarding Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR) and Broward Health as they launched the Whole Blood Program together so paramedics can give blood to badly hurt patients on the way to the hospital. Come to our next month's program and hear more about this and other topics from our speakers: "Public Safety & the Proposed Fort Lauderdale Charter Amendments ~ Understanding the Proposed Changes to Police and Fire Leadership"
Guest Speakers:
* William "Bill" Schultz, Chief of Police, City of Fort Lauderdale
* Stephen Gollan, Fire Chief, City of Fort Lauderdale
Moderator: (Former) Mayor Jack Seiler

09/24/2026

Fort Lauderdale Forum program, October 15, 2026, 7:30-9 AM.
"Public Safety & the Proposed Fort Lauderdale Charter Amendments"
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Understanding the Proposed Changes to Police and Fire Leadership

Guest Speakers:
* William "Bill" Schultz, Chief of Police, City of Fort Lauderdale
* Stephen Gollan, Fire Chief, City of Fort Lauderdale
Moderator: (Former) Mayor Jack Seiler

Public Safety is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of local government. Fort Lauderdale voters are being asked to consider proposed amendments to the City Charter that would establish the positions of Police Chief and Fire Chief within the City Charter.

Join the Fort Lauderdale Forum for an informative conversation with Fort Lauderdale's Police Chief and Fire Chief about what proposed Charter amendments mean for the City's public safety structure, leadership, and day-to-day operations.
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Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 AM
Location: Broward College/FAU Building, 111 E. Las Olas Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

09/23/2026

Broward commissioners pass $9.2 billion budget, approve 5.6 millage rate

Broward County commissioners passed a $9.2 billion budget on Tuesday and approved a flat 5.6 overall millage rate.

The operating budget is $5.6 billion, the capital budget is $2.88 billion, and the debt service budget is $720.3 million. The rolled-back millage rate was 5.39.

“In the over decade that I have been here, we have lowered the millage rate three times,” Mayor Mark D. Bogen said. “We have never raised the millage rate.”

Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis warned that if voters pass the state’s Amendment 3 to increase the homestead exemption, the commission will have to readjust the millage rate.

“It’s layoffs, increase the millage rate, cut services,” Davis said during the meeting about options to balance the budget.

Monica Cepero, the county administrator, told commissioners during the meeting that the budget includes the largest investment in public safety in the county’s history.

“This represents a $24 million total increase for salary adjustments for detention deputies, coupled with an additional $15 million increase for a 5.8% salary increase,” Cepero said.

The salary increase, inclusive of increases in benefits, was for the Broward Sheriff’s Office general law enforcement, courts, and fire rescue and emergency services, according to Cepero.

The capital funds allocations included $27.7 million for the Affordable Housing Trust, which aims to increase the stock in the county, according to Cepero. The transfer from the general fund increased from $20 million to $25 million.

“This board has absolutely prioritized affordable housing,” Cepero said.

Commissioner Nan H. Rich said teachers are leaving the county, so the need is dire. Commissioner Beam Furr said that if voters pass Amendment 3, the commission would have to lower the much-needed investment in affordable housing.

“This year funding will be just fine because we have it in the budget for next year. It’s just in case something happens in Tallahassee in reference to Amendment 3, then we will have to figure out what type of services we are going to provide, what needs to be cut, but we are prepared to do that,” Robert McKinzie, the vice mayor, said.

The new budget will take effect on Oct. 1st.

A closer look:

Broward County commissioners passed a $9.2 billion budget on Tuesday and approved a flat 5.6 millage rate.

09/17/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended our Fort Lauderdale Forum program today in spite of a stormy rainy day! September 17, 2026, 7:30-9 AM at Broward College.

"Broward's Economic Gateway to the World: Port Everglades, FLL & the Impact of our Regional Economy"
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A wonderful and very informative program was presented on The impact of two major ports: FLL - Fort Lauderdale Airport and Port Everglades on our tri-county economy and our community.

Fort Lauderdale's competitive advantage is not simply that we have an airport and a seaport. It is that we have an integrated air–sea gateway, located next to a major tourism destination and within one of the country's largest metropolitan economies.

That distinction is important.

* FLL brings people and business into the region.
* Port Everglades moves people, goods, energy and capital through the region.
* Fort Lauderdale sits at the intersection of those flows.
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Our special guest panelists spoke on Caribbean/global cruise vacations and international trade and what make Port Everglades an economic powerhouse for Broward County and one of the most diverse seaports, cruise ports, container ports in the United States. Fort Lauderdale Airport FLL updates, and news were provided to us by the chief operating officer and the details, improvements, and future expectations are quite mind-boggling! 

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Moderator: (Former) Mayor Jack Seiler

▶️ Speakers: Glenn Wiltshire, Deputy Director, Port Everglades
▶️ Michael Nonnemacher, Aviation Chief Operating Officer at the Broward County Aviation Dept. Fort Lauderdale International Airport, (FLL)

09/02/2026

Fort Lauderdale Forum program, September 17, 2026, 7:30-9 AM.

"Broward's Economic Gateway to the World: Port Everglades, FLL & the Impact of our Regional Economy"
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Fort Lauderdale's competitive advantage is not simply that we have an airport and a seaport. It is that we have an integrated air–sea gateway, located next to a major tourism destination and within one of the country's largest metropolitan economies.

That distinction is important.

* FLL brings people and business into the region.
* Port Everglades moves people, goods, energy and capital through the region.
* Fort Lauderdale sits at the intersection of those flows.
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Caribbean/global cruise vacations and international trade are what make Port Everglades an economic powerhouse for Broward County and one of the most diverse seaports in the United States.

Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. It is a leading container port in Florida and among the most active cargo ports in the United States. Port Everglades is also South Florida’s main seaport for receiving petroleum products including, gasoline and jet fuel. Its Foreign-Trade Zone 25, office space inside the port's secure area and neighboring logistical warehouses make Port Everglades a highly desirable business center for world trade.

CARGO — another piece of the story. Port Everglades handled approximately 1.167 million TEUs in FY2025.
The port connects South Florida to international markets, particularly Latin America and the Caribbean, while also serving broader global trade routes.

And the impact isn't confined to dockworkers.
Imported and exported goods support employment throughout: manufacturing, wholesale, retail, distribution, trucking, warehousing, logistics, professional services, more.

The FY2025 study estimates that 262,763 related-user jobs are associated with cargo moving through Port Everglades.

The Port Everglades Department is a self-supporting enterprise fund of Broward County government. It does not rely on local tax dollars for operations or capital improvements.
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Plan to Attend: September 17, 2026, 7:30-9 AM, 111. E. Las Olas Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 (ground floor)

Moderator: (Former) Mayor Jack Seiler

Speakers: Glenn Wiltshire, Deputy Director, Port Everglades
Michael Nonnemacher, Aviation Chief Operating Officer at the Broward County Aviation Dept. Fort Lauderdale International Airport, (FLL)

08/12/2026

New Location for City of Fort Lauderdale Commission Meetings

Beginning Tuesday, August 18, all future Fort Lauderdale City Commission Conference Meetings, Workshops and Regular Meetings will be held in the Community Room at the new Fort Lauderdale Police Department Headquarters.

New Meeting Location
Fort Lauderdale Police Department Headquarters
1300 W. Broward Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Tuesday, August 18 Meeting Schedule

Joint Workshop with Budget Advisory Board at 11:30 a.m.
Conference Meeting at 1 p.m.
City Commission Meeting at 6 p.m.

Parking
Visitors should enter the western driveway at 1350 W Broward Blvd to access public parking.

Please allow additional time when arriving, as security screening will continue to be required before entering the Community Room.

Stay Informed Meeting dates and agendas are available at: FortLauderdale.gov/agendas

07/11/2026

Fort Lauderdale Business News Today: Port Nets $48B

Key points:

• Port Everglades generated $48.3 billion in economic impact in fiscal 2025, based on updated reporting standards.
• The port supported 295,166 statewide jobs, a 44.4% jump from the prior fiscal year.
• Cruise traffic hit 4.8 million passengers as cargo tonnage rose to 27.7 million short tons.

Fort Lauderdale Business News TodayJuly 2026 — In Fort Lauderdale business news today, Port Everglades has revealed its strongest fiscal year on record, mapping $48.3 billion in economic activity for Florida. While the 72% jump on paper signals a massive leap, the surge is primarily driven by updated reporting standards that finally capture the full scale of the port’s critical energy supply chain.

The figures come from Port Everglades’ own Fiscal Year 2025 Economic Impact Report, prepared by Martin Associates and published on the port’s official statistics page. For the 12 months ending September 30, 2025, the port’s cargo and cruise operations generated $48.3 billion in total economic value, up from $28.1 billion the year before. That single-year jump is the kind of number that normally takes a decade to accumulate at a midsized American seaport, and it is now the baseline Broward County planners are using to size road, rail, and terminal investments through the end of the decade.

What drove the surge?

The massive statistical jump is less about a sudden explosion in local cargo demand and more about a modernized accounting framework. For the first time, the economic impact model incorporates energy-related user impacts, specifically tracking the downstream economic power of the waterborne petroleum distributed through the port. Because Port Everglades handles the vast majority of South Florida’s fuel, bringing this entire supply chain onto the ledger added billions in previously uncounted economic value.

Jobs and tax revenue tell a parallel story:

-Employment: Port Everglades supported 295,166 jobs statewide tied to cargo, cruise, and energy activity in fiscal 2025 — a 44.4% increase from the 204,385 jobs tracked under the old model the year before.

-Personal Income and revenue: Personal income tied to that employment reached $15.5 billion, while businesses providing direct services collected $4.5 billion in revenue.

-Tax footprint: State and local tax collections linked to port activity climbed to $1.89 billion. Crucially for Fort Lauderdale business news today readers, this represents total statewide tax generation; Port Everglades itself operates strictly as a self-sustaining enterprise fund of Broward County, meaning it runs on user fees rather than local property or sales taxes.

Record-breaking operational growth

Beyond the accounting adjustments, the port’s actual operational metrics hit historic highs. According to official Port Everglades Cargo and Cruise Statistics, cargo tonnage rose to 27.7 million short tons. The container sector broke records by handling 1,166,543 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), driving a 17.9% increase in containerized cargo economic output.

The cruise sector saw an even sharper operational surge. Driven by 130 additional ship calls, cruise passenger traffic climbed 21.7% to a record 4.7 million guests (up from 3.8 million the previous year).

Petroleum and jet fuel remain the port’s backbone, accounting for 69% of total tonnage in fiscal 2025. This makes Port Everglades a critical fuel artery for the entire South Florida peninsula, from Miami-Dade to the Treasure Coast, justifying prioritized capital spending on berth depth and storage capacity.

Why it matters beyond Broward

Nationally, the story fits into a broader pattern of resilience in U.S. seaborne trade. Port Everglades’ combination of cruise, container, and energy cargo gives it a diversified base that many single-purpose ports lack. For a metro area long defined in national coverage primarily by tourism and real estate, a $48.3 billion trade and logistics engine operating largely out of view is a meaningful counterweight — and one that Fort Lauderdale business news today coverage is only beginning to reflect in proportion to its actual economic weight.

The report also reinforces why Broward’s industrial and logistics real estate market has stayed tight. Warehousing, trucking, and marine-services firms clustered near the port are direct beneficiaries of this cargo volume. Commercial brokers report sustained waiting lists for space near the port’s truck gates—a dynamic distinct from, and arguably more durable than, the speculative activity that has periodically inflated other segments of the regional property market. It’s the kind of shift that rarely makes Fort Lauderdale business news today headlines on its own, even though it matters deeply to local business-to-business hiring.

What comes next

The key now is whether fiscal 2025 was an operational inflection point or a stabilization plateau. Port officials have flagged continued investment in berth expansion and rail infrastructure as prerequisites for sustaining growth. Supply chain executives should watch capacity announcements out of the port closely over the next two quarters. The pace of these infrastructure commitments will determine how effectively the port compounds its newly measured economic scale.

Fort Lauderdale business news today: Port Everglades generated $48.3B in economic impact in FY2025, up 72% year over year.

05/22/2026

Fort Lauderdale Forum meets again in September! Stay tuned for some amazing topics, discussions, and panel presentations on all things important to our City!

In the meantime, we invite you to join us for our Summer Social on June 24, 2026, at Riverside Hotel at Preston’s W**e Bar for an evening of networking, reconnecting with friends, and making new acquaintances and business contacts. Cash Bar with Happy Hour pricing and passed hors d’oeuvres.

Fort Lauderdale Forum Summer Social
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Preston’s W**e Bar at the Riverside Hotel (back lobby bar)
620 E. Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

05/18/2026

A good review from supporters and the editorial board at the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Rickelle Williams will be one of our guest speakers at our next Fort Lauderdale Forum program! Come to hear and meet her!
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Fort Lauderdale is at an important crossroads.

We face major decisions involving infrastructure, mobility, redevelopment, public-private partnerships, affordable housing and the future identity of our community.

In times such as these, leadership matters.

After her first year as city manager, Rickelle Williams has demonstrated the type of professional, thoughtful and competent leadership Fort Lauderdale needs. What residents notice most is not just projects moving forward, but the positive culture change inside City Hall.

Under Williams’ leadership, residents increasingly feel that city government is more transparent, responsive and connected to the neighborhoods it serves. The city feels more organized and focused on the future. She has created an atmosphere where staff, residents, neighborhood leaders and stakeholders are heard and respected. It may sound simple, but in local government, it’s critical.

For years, important city projects sat idle, collecting dust. Under Williams’ guidance, projects that had stalled are now moving forward with purpose and accountability. She is focused on ensuring the city remains financially responsible and operationally efficient.

In her first year alone, as reported to the commission, she took the initiative to identify cost savings and new revenue valued at more than 10 times her salary. Her work ethic, attention to detail, energy and commitment to follow through are helping to restore confidence that Fort Lauderdale can execute important initiatives rather than endlessly discussing them.

Equally important is the way she approaches difficult, often controversial issues. Whether involving infrastructure, development, mobility or public-private partnerships, she has shown a willingness to embrace scrutiny, ask difficult questions, and require detailed technical and financial analysis before decisions are made. That is exactly what commissioners and residents should want from a city manager.

Take the issue of a new City Hall. Some residents favor a new building, while others support adapting an existing one. Regardless of where people stand, confidence is growing that Williams will provide the commission and the public with the technical, operational and financial information necessary to make the best long-term decision for taxpayers.

The same can be said for public-private partnerships and other major city initiatives. Residents understand that P3s are increasingly necessary, but they also recognize Fort Lauderdale’s mixed history with these projects. What citizens want is assurance that future agreements will be negotiated carefully, transparently and in the best interest of the community. Under Williams’ management, there is confidence these projects will receive the scrutiny and analysis they deserve.

Strong city management is not about politics. It is about competence, integrity, communication and ex*****on.

In her first year, Williams has shown that she values neighborhoods, respects residents, supports city staff, and understands the importance of building public trust. Like previous city managers brought in from the outside, she assembled a team that combines experience with qualified professionals to strengthen the organization overall. She deserves the same opportunity to continue building and executing with that team over time.

Fort Lauderdale faces many challenges. But for the first time in a long time, many residents feel the city is moving in the right direction with professionalism, momentum and accountability. The revolving door of city managers has grown stale. It is time to focus on what is needed to operate as a responsible, functional, forward-looking city.

We collectively have a strong reputation to uphold, and Rickelle Williams’ continued leadership helps strengthen and accelerate that progress.

We fully respect, approve of and support Rickelle Williams as city manager and we encourage the city commission to continue doing the same. Fort Lauderdale benefits when strong leadership is allowed to work.

Editorial by Jim Brady of Fort Lauderdale, a former land-use lawyer and former city attorney in Lauderdale Lakes and Tamarac.

More than a dozen neighborhood association presidents and other prominent Fort Lauderdale residents co-signed this piece pushing back against criticism of the city manager.