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Budgets and projects, Water quality report, July 4th activities and more.
Budget and the future
The City Council, staff and I are well aware of potential future budget constraints, and viewed three items through that lens at the June 10 meeting.
The items were for Cypress Road improvements, City Hall ADA improvements and Sunset Park ADA compliance and renovation.
The State is placing an item on the Nov. 3 ballot that would significantly decrease property taxes. If passed, it is estimated Plantation’s budget decrease would be $11.6M in FY 2027-2028 and $20.5 million the next year.
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Councilmember Louis Reinstein asked City Administration for perspective on June 10 after he observed that a City match requirement of approximately $3.2 million is necessary to match the Roads for Economic Vitality (REV) grant for the Cypress Road project.
Chief Administrative Officer Jason Nunemaker responded that the project would be placed in a five-year program, providing some time before commitment. He noted the project touched multiple funding buckets — ADA, drainage, and roadway funds — and that the City had not yet stabilized a source of funds for roadway improvements generally so the potential additional grant funds would help us in this regard.
The immediate priority for City Hall Council chambers is ADA compliance — addressing the dais, seating, and audiovisual accessibility — while also exploring the potential to make the room more flexible for various public meetings.
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Council President Denise Horland had flagged the state of the concrete at Sunset Park years ago. When a request came forward for a shade shelter, staff visited the site and confirmed the access conditions were, in Nunemaker’s words, "atrocious" — something that "should have been addressed long ago."
He explained that the bulk of the work would be ADA-oriented, and that while the Council was being asked to engage engineering services now, the subsequent question of whether to also address the shade structure and dugout improvements (noting the latter also had an ADA component) would be brought back for separate authorization.
Councilmember Reinstein stated he was satisfied with the responses. All three measures were approved.
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No Planning and Zoning Board meeting in July
The Planning and Zoning Board meeting scheduled for July 7 has been canceled due to a lack of items. The next Planning and Zoning meeting will be at 6 p.m. on August 4.
To see city meeting agendas, go to Plantation.org/Meetings.
Big decisions after short City Council break
There is a break in the regular City Council meetings in July. The next meeting isn’t until July 29. On that day, the Council will set the maximum millage rate the City can implement for the FY 2026-27 budget that runs from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. We cut the millage rate to 5.7 mills last year. The tentative millage for the upcoming fiscal year will be voted on September 9 and the final millage will be set on September 16.
The budget itself requires two public hearings of approval. Those discussions and votes will be on September 9 and 16. I worked with our Finance Director and departmental leadership to ensure that we produce a balanced budget. We cut $8 million from departmental budget requests before recommending a proposed budget.
I encourage you to watch the millage and budget discussions. After all, it is your tax dollars being spent on parks, community events, road maintenance, public safety and other services.
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Water Quality Report
The City of Plantation’s annual Water Quality Report is now available, providing residents with important information about the safety and quality of their drinking water.
The report includes results from routine testing and outlines how the City continues to meet and exceed required water quality standards while providing reliable service to the community.
Read this report to learn more about where your water comes from, how it is monitored and the steps taken to keep it safe.
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Unsafe structures board
The City has rekindled its Unsafe Structures Board and the first meeting is at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 at City Hall.
This board helps determine when a structure is unsafe, which then allows the City to pursue certain punitive actions. We considered using the County’s board, but thanks to the volunteers who agreed to serve, were able to proceed with our own board. We believe that it will help us address the issues quicker.
See the agenda here.
July 4th festivities
Celebrate Independence Day with a full day of patriotic fun in Plantation on July 4. The day begins at 9 a.m. with the City’s annual parade, starting at the intersection of Broward Boulevard and NW 46th Avenue and traveling west to 69th Avenue, then to NW 4th Street and 73rd Avenue before ending at City Hall.
Spectators are encouraged to enjoy the parade from anywhere along the route.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents can cool off during Patriotic Pool Day at the Aquatic Complex, located at 9151 NW 2nd Street, where Plantation residents swim for free.
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The evening celebration continues at Central Park with the Kid’s Zone opening at 6 p.m., featuring inflatables and games, followed by a free concert at 7 p.m. at the north end of the park. Guests may bring a picnic dinner, lawn chairs or blankets, and food will also be available for purchase. The night wraps up at 9 p.m. with our firework show. For everyone’s safety, personal fireworks, sparklers, drones, tents and pets are not allowed. For more information, call (954) 452-2510.
Plantation Walk
Plantation Walk also has a full day of activities July 4. DJ Mack and Miss Tracy lead a “Kids’ Fourth of July Celebration” from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and includes party favors and a noon confetti blast. Event is pet-friendly.
The Long Run, an Eagles tribute band, plays in the evening, along with street performers. Then at 9 p.m., Plantation Walk offers a view of the city’s fireworks from the garage rooftop, with the same musical accompaniment you hear at Plantation Central Park.
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A reminder that city offices are closed on Friday, July 3, for Independence Day.
Parks will operate on their holiday hours schedule.
Events
July 4: Independence Day parade at 9 a.m. starting at NW 46th Ave. & Broward Blvd., concluding at City Hall. Patriotic Pool Party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central Park Aquatics Complex. Kids zone at 6 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9 a.m. at Central Park.
July 8: Freebee service area expansion ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. at Lauderdale West.
July 10: Unearth a Story: Escape Room 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library. Registration is required. Call (954) 797-2145.
July 11: Yoga in the Park at 9 a.m. at Jim Ward Community Center.
July 15: Lecture: American Founding Fathers at 2 p.m. at Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library.
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Meetings
July 13: Sustainability & Resiliency Advisory Board at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
July 16: Midtown Advisory Board at 10 a.m. at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum in the Broward Mall.
July 29: Public Hearing on Proposed Maximum Millage at 5:01 p.m. followed by City Council meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
View upcoming meetings and events by visiting Plantation.org/Calendar.
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