Broward County commissioners have passed the FY 2012 budget, keeping the tax rate the same as last year’s. Despite no increases, the budget will be lower by $7768.7 million and the combined millage rate for the county is 5.553 or $5.553 per $1,000 in taxable value. The flat millage rate means the county takes in about two percent less, or $20 million than last year for a total reduction of $257 million since 2007.

The major of taxpayers will experience either flat or reduced taxes on the Broward County portion of their tax bill. Some may see an increase, but typically only if their property value has increased or the homestead recapture rule allows for a three percent increase.

The FY2012 budget provides funding to reopen County parks full time, extend library hours and maintain public transportation and social services.

Other service enhancements include the mid-year opening of the Young at Art Museum and Children’s Library whose operations will be primarily funded by Young at Art. In addition, the Northeast Transit Center will be opening in the fall. This center will provide seamless transfers between four Broward County Transit fixed routes and two municipal community bus routes and will serve as a drop-off location for commuters. There is also a full year budget for the new Inspector General’s office, mandated by voters last year.

Broward County Commissioners want to save the Broward County postmark, prevent hundreds of lay-offs and insure that mail is processed locally.

Today, Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution opposing the closure of the Pembroke Pines and Fort Lauderdale U.S. Postal Processing Centers.

The Postal Service is studying the closures and consolidations of 252 post offices nationwide in an effort save $3-billion a year.  The Fort Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines facilities are among those on the chopping block.

“This means that mail sent from Broward County to a local address could take up to three or more days to arrive.  Legal documents, such as tax documents facing postmark deadlines will be jeopardized and the delivery and processing of absentee ballots and voter information could face lengthy delays as mail volume increases during these periods,” said Commissioner Barbara Sharief, the sponsor of the commission resolution.

“Mail service will be slow, people will lose their jobs adding to unemployment and the Broward postmark will be history, literally,” said Broward County Mayor Sue Gunzburger, co-sponsor of the resolution which will be delivered to the Broward Congressional Delegation, the U.S. Postal Service and posted to the County’s website at www.broward.org

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DEERFIELD BEACH – Opponents of the city’s recently enacted utility tax thought they had more than enough petition signatures to force a referendum on the tax, but not enough were certified

The Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office said more than half of the signatures are  invalid.

Monday that only 2,894 of the 6,200 signatures submitted met the city’s requirements. The petitioners needed roughly 4,200 valid signatures to force the referendum, based on city charter rules.

“This petition was unique in that the city code required that it be the signature, the address and the precinct number,” Cooney said. “A lot of precinct numbers were either missing or incorrect.”

Rescind Unfair Taxes, the opposition group led by former Mayor Jean Robb and businessman Steve Krevoy, only have until Thursday to submit a valid petition.

A Deerfield Beach woman who had a heated argument with her boyfriend is now facing arson charges after setting their apartment on fire.

The call came into the Broward Sheriff’s Office Communications Center at around 10:30 a.m. Sunday (Today). Shawanda Robinson was arguing with the father of her infant twin girls at 929 Springs Drive in Deerfield, when the discussion escalated.

Robinson told detectives she set one of his shirts on fire in the closet of their apartment and within minutes the fire was out of control.

Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue units responded and extinguished the blaze, but it caused extensive damage to the structure. The Deerfield Beach Fire Marshal Bureau deemed the building unsafe and the seven other families living in the south tower of the apartment building in Tivoli were displaced and the Red Cross is assisting.

No one was injured and Robinson is facing one count of arson.

The annual Dunn’s Run is almost here. It will be held Oct. 2 bright and early in the morning. The 5K Walk & 5-mile Run benefits Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.

Pick up your registration packets for this year’s Dunn’s Run on Sept. 24 at Two Georges at the Cove, 1755 SE 3 Court, Deerfield Beach, on Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Panera Bread, 2101 N. Federal Hwy., Pompano Beach, or online at www.Dunns Run.com.

Fundraisers also can earn prizes, everything from a T-Shirt to a Garmin Forerunner 610. For more information, visit www.dunnsrun.com.

All northbound lanes of I-95 throughout Broward County will be closed tomorrow morning (Friday, Sept. 23) beginning at 7:15 a.m. for an unspecified length of time.
All southbound lanes of I-95 will be closed throughout Broward County tomorrow beginning at 11:15 a.m. for an unspecified length of time.
The closures will affect all interchanges from approximately the Miami International Airport in north Miami-Dade County to Yamato Road in south Palm Beach County.
Both closures are to allow FHP to escort a high level dignitary.
Plan your travel accordingly – Expect heavy traffic & delays on all roads in Broward during these closures.

Deputies responded to a residential burglary at the 1000 block of SW 7 Avenue.  Deputies obtained suspect information from a neighbor and during a canvass of the area located a possible suspect in a nearby apartment.  The witness positively identified the suspect who was in possession of the victim’s property.  The suspect was charged with Burglary and Grand Theft.

If you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood call 911 immediately.