Broward’s Courthouse Problem Solved Without Raising Taxes

The following article was submitted by Ken Keechl, Mayor of Broward County.

Last year, in my newsletter Broward’s Courthouse Problem: More Taxes Aren’t the Solution, I wrote about the deplorable state of our downtown courthouse. I argued that, if possible, we should renovate the courthouse. More importantly, I also strenuously argued that we should not ask the voters of Broward County to tax themselves to build it.

In two additional newsletters last year, Broward County Courthouse Task Force Recommendations, Part 1 and Part 2, I wrote about the formation of a Broward County Courthouse Task Force and its subsequent recommendations. First, the Task Force found that it would be more expensive to renovate the downtown courthouse than to rebuild it. Second, the Task Force recommended financing the rebuilding of a cheaper ‘scaled-down’ courthouse with existing revenue. The Task Force specifically and unanimously argued

against asking the voters to tax themselves. Once before in November 2006, the Broward County Commission had asked the voters to tax themselves for a new courthouse; they rightly

refused to do so.

On February 2, the Broward County Commission voted 6 to 3 to follow the recommendations of the Courthouse Task Force. I was in the majority. It was absolutely the fiscally conservative approach.

To my surprise, the media’s spin on the vote was to characterize it as a vote to increase taxes. I think the ‘spin’ was unfortunate. I understand that the press has to sell newspapers, but the truth shouldn’t be brushed aside in the process. So, here is the full story. The original November 2006 courthouse proposal was to build a courthouse at a cost of approximately $510 million. The Task Force recommended a ‘scaled-down’ courthouse proposal that would cost approximately $328 million (and add a much needed parking garage.) We had previously set aside $120 million in our budget for other less important projects. By using that money, we would need to borrow $208 million dollars.

By a 6-3 vote, we agreed to use non-voted debt, which would cost the average taxpayer $8.00 per year. However, what wasn’t reported by the media was the fact that by the time we need the money, this $8.00 increase will be offset by the expiration of other debt totaling about $37.00 per taxpayer. So, in actuality, your tax bill would decrease by approximately $29.00 per year. And we will have fulfilled our Constitutional duty as County Commissioners to provide a safe and usable courthouse for our judges, jurors, court personnel and

our residents. In closing, for more than 3 years I have told you that I would not raise the tax

burden on your families or mine. The current millage rate is 5.3889. When all is said and done, and the additional dollars borrowed for the scaled-down courthouse, the new millage rate would be lower: somewhere between 5.1889 and 5.0789.

You elected me to take care of problems that needed solving. And you told me to do it without raising your taxes. My vote accomplished both of your demands.