In response to residents’ requests for more time to decipher the updates to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, I am moving the final approval hearing from Sept. 9 to Oct. 21.

The Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Department has been working on these updates for years.

Back in  May 20, 2025, this newsletter shared a notice for a Planning and Zoning Board meeting to discuss the plan, along with the backup documents. One of the documents is a three-page summary of the notable plan elements that may be worth reviewing again.  

The latest version of the Comprehensive Plan that incorporates the State’s required revisions can be viewed on our agenda page.

It contains 15 elements, including the Water Plan we are required to review and incorporate into the in the Comprehensive Plan every 5 years. We’ve requested South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to extend this deadline more than once. Until this plan is adopted, the City is not eligible to apply for any SFWMD grants, loans or other funds.

We have been working since early March on the budget that takes effect on Oct. 1, and this is the month the final decisions are made.

We start the conversation at our Strategic Planning retreat in January to identify what we seek to accomplish for the community and then translate it into a budget that funds the improvements, maintenance, programs, events and supportive services – all of which impact what you see when you drive through the City, visit our parks and facilities, call 911 with an emergency or any of our offices for daily assistance, turn on your faucet, set out your trash and anything in between. Join us for the budget and millage hearings to learn where your tax dollars and fees go.

The first of two budget hearings and the tentative millage decision are at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. (That’s followed by the regular City Council meeting at 7 p.m.). Then comes the final stormwater assessment vote. Our City is improving its protection from flooding overall, and City Engineer Samira Shalan presented new calculation and assessment fee options earlier in the year. The final vote is at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14.

Then on Sept. 16 is our final millage and final budget approval that determines how we spend the money from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027.

Greg “Moose” DeMoustes is the new supervisor of racket sports, and will lead the tennis operation at the Frank Veltri Tennis Center.

DeMoustes most recently served as head tennis pro at the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center. He also has multiple certifications and has held several positions across the state.

DeMoustes says his coaching philosophy is “grounded in empathy, safety, inclusion, and personal growth.”

He also won a USTA Florida Tennis Volunteer of the Month award in 2024.

You may have noticed new banners along Broward Boulevard. In honor of our 2026 Hometown Hero honorees and America’s 250th birthday, we wanted to do something a little extra special this year.

In preparation for recognizing our Hometown Heroes, we’ve installed “United in Honor and Freedom” and America 250 banners along the roadway. Our Hometown Hero banners were added alongside them this week.

If you’d like to be recognized as a Hometown Hero in 2027, or wish to nominate someone, visit plantation.org/hometownheroes to submit an application. You can also view our current 2026 and past honorees while there.

The City of Plantation’s advisory boards give residents and professionals an opportunity to participate in local government and help shape our community. Members provide input and recommendations to the Mayor, City Council and City staff on a variety of topics affecting Plantation.

Interested in getting involved? Explore our boards and submit an application at www.plantation.org/boards.

We receive many inquiries about how to participate in City events as a vendor or sponsor. Throughout the year, our Parks and Recreation Department posts available opportunities online.

Sponsorships help us provide exciting and engaging events and programs for our community, while our vendors help make those events even more special. Explore current opportunities at www.plantation.org/sponsorships.

We will be having our Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5  at the Public Works Compound, 750 NW 91^st Ave.

The event is open to all City of Plantation residents, employees and the City of Sunrise residents. If you have any questions, please call 954-452-2535. Please review the flyer to learn which items are acceptable and which ones are not before you head over. And don’t forget to bring a proof of residency.

September 4 & 5: Used Book Sale at the Helen B. Hoffman Library. Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., cash only.

September 19: Volunteer Orientation from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Central Park for ages 14 and older. Teen must attend with parent. RSVP your attendance to jmariano@plantation.org by September 18th.

September 19: Family Fitfest from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central Park, Athletic field #3. Call 954-452-2510 for more information.

September 22: Nature BioBlitz, from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at the Plantation Preserve Linear Trail. At his event community members work with park staff to create a snapshot of the variety of wildlife that can be found along the trail. Use an app called iNaturalist to take pictures of plants, insects, and animals to see what wildlife is present in the park that day. For more information call 954-452-2510.

Mayor Nick Sortal's newsletter is dedicated to managing Plantation's matters, placing a special emphasis on our community and its residents.

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