LauderBriefs
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 August 18, 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 JOINT BUDGET ADVISORY BOARD WORKSHOP
BUS-1 Commission Reviews FY 2027 Tentative Budget
The Commission reviewed the City’s Tentative Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which totals approximately $1.3 billion and maintains the current millage rate of 4.1193. The tentative budget continues funding for essential City services and invests in infrastructure, public safety and neighborhood improvements. It also includes funding for major capital projects such as seawalls, bridges, roadways, sidewalks, parks and public spaces. The Commission will continue reviewing the tentative budget before final adoption, with public budget hearings scheduled for September 9 and September 14. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4qJErVD.
CITY COMMISSION COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD MEETING
R-3 CRA Approves $2.5 Million for New Holy Cross Health Center
The CRA Board approved $2.5 million in Development Incentive Program funding for a new Holy Cross Health facility at 200 East Sunrise Boulevard. The two-story facility will include a freestanding emergency department, medical clinic and outpatient and ambulatory surgery center. The approximately $83.8 million project is expected to create about 200 jobs and expand access to health care services for residents in the Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Heights CRA. The first phase is expected to be completed by fall 2027, with the second phase completed by 2029. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/3SDeM46.
CITY COMMISSION CONFERENCE MEETING
BUS-2 Commission Reviews Roadway and Sidewalk Infrastructure Investments
The Commission received an update on approximately $27.9million in bond funding dedicated to roadway and sidewalk improvements throughout the City. The funding includes $16.1 million for roadway improvements and $11.8 million for sidewalk improvements, with $2 million in each category allocated to each Commission District for district-specific projects. The improvements will address deteriorated roadways, sidewalk repairs and ADA accessibility issues, while also providing opportunities to construct new sidewalks and incorporate traffic calming improvements. The roadway and sidewalk improvements are anticipated to take approximately 18 to 24 months to complete. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4xH8yz8.
CF-1 Commission Reviews Resilient Broward Grant Program
The Commission received an update on Broward County’s Resilient Broward Grant Program, a new initiative aimed at accelerating flood resilience projects throughout the county. Broward County has allocated $20 million to help fund projects that reduce flood risk, including improvements to pumps, culverts and water control structures. The program will provide up to a 25% cost share for eligible projects, with funding available for design, permitting and construction. City staff are reviewing projects within Fort Lauderdale’s Capital Improvement Plan and Fortify Lauderdale to identify opportunities to secure County funding and advance planned stormwater improvements. The program is scheduled to launch this fall. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/45wnAf7.
CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
CM-8 Commission Accepts $1.7 Million Grant for FIFA World Cup Security
The Commission approved the acceptance of approximately $1.7 million in grant funding to offset public safety costs associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From June 13 through July 19, the City’s public safety operations supported the safe coordination of World Cup activities in Fort Lauderdale while responding to the increased security needs associated with the international event. The grant will reimburse overtime costs incurred by the City while providing security for World Cup teams, staff and related events. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4gj0ZY7.
CR-5 Commission Approves Early Flood Warning System
The Commission approved an agreement with Broward County to install 10 flood monitoring units in neighborhoods with a history of roadway flooding. The units will monitor water levels in real time and provide alerts when stormwater infrastructure is approaching capacity. The system will also use weather radar and predictive technology to forecast roadway flooding before it occurs. Data will be integrated into a countywide dashboard for City and County staff, with information eventually planned for public access through a resident-facing website. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4bZiyv9.
M-3 Commission Approves Water Meter Reading Services During Smart Meter Transition
The Commission approved a one-year agreement with Bermex, Inc. for approximately $2.6 million to provide water meter reading and related services while the City continues transitioning to smart water meters. Fort Lauderdale is converting approximately 65,000 mechanical water meters to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters, which will allow meters to be read remotely once deployment is completed by mid-2027. The agreement will ensure remaining mechanical meters continue to be read during the transition, supporting reliable utility billing and customer service. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4zoRgIy.
M-4 Commission Approves $13.8 Million Public Safety Radio System Upgrade
The Commission approved a $13.8 million agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. to replace and upgrade the City’s P25 public safety radio communication system, including a five-year warranty. The agreement also gives the City the option to purchase portable and mobile radios and extend maintenance services for up to 15 additional years. The new system will improve radio coverage on the Barrier Island and in southwest Fort Lauderdale while increasing the number of simultaneous conversations the system can support from 11 to 26. The project will also improve emergency reliability with enhanced backup power and elevated equipment shelters designed to protect critical radio equipment from potential flooding. The upgrades will provide more reliable communication for first responders and increase the system’s capacity to support public safety operations throughout the City. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4hDUpxX.
R-6 Commission Approves Workforce Housing Incentive Agreement for The Cypress
The Commission approved a Workforce Housing Incentive Agreement for The Cypress, a proposed mixed-use, mixed-income development at 400 Corporate Drive. The project will include 340 residential rental units, including 136 workforce housing units reserved for households earning up to 120% of the area median income for 30 years. The development also includes ground-level commercial and amenity space and a parking garage. The agreement provides a tax reimbursement incentive to support the creation of workforce housing as part of the approximately $120 million development. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/4wGz6Qa
OFR-3 Commission Approves First Reading of Vacation Rental Ordinance Amendments
The Commission approved the first reading of ordinance amendments to strengthen the City’s Vacation Rental Program by clarifying enforcement authority, improving administrative processes and enhancing compliance requirements. The amendments include updated penalty provisions, inspection access requirements and changes to enforcement procedures. The updates will allow the City to continue enforcement when ownership or responsible party changes occur and prevent Certificate of Compliance renewals when outstanding fines or penalties remain unpaid. The changes are intended to improve consistency while promoting compliance and protecting neighborhood quality of life. For more details, visit ftlcity.info/3SdYfUc.
For more information on the August 18, 2026, Commission meetings, visit fortlauderdale.legistar.com/calendar.
Upcoming City Commission Meetings
The next regularly scheduled City Commission meetings will occur on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.