Promises Made Promises Kept: The State of Hallandale Beach - Part IV

By Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper

June 6, 2024

Greetings readers. As I shared over the past weeks State of the City article, this is part four with the closing for next week. I do want to share that our City has been tackling many concerns and issues that you have brought to us over the year. We are currently working on this year's budget and this is a bit of a spoiler alert. We will be reducing the Tax Rate as planned and promised. I encourage everyone to follow our meeting. The final meeting before break will be on June 26th. We will be setting the tentative millage at that time.

It has been awhile since we have held a community meeting for The eastside of our community. I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting on June 24th at the Cultural Center at 6:30 p.m. to go over flooding intivitives, project updates and other initives that are underway in our city. I along with staff will be available to answer all your questions and concerns. I hope you join in.

Contiuned SOTC (In Speech Form)
We heard and responded to complaints that our roads need resurfacing. As residents we also experience and are frustrated by the conditons. Last year we added a $1.5 Million Dollar infusion to the plan. There is one caveat to this project, we will not redo a road if it is slated for underground work. We are committed to not wasting taxpayer dollars.

We have a schedule for this multi year project of all roads on our website.

Promises made, Promises kept.

Beach Renourishment in partnership with Broward County was also completed. We have returned to our gorgeous shore and are now fixing South Beach Park with new trees and shade systems. Promises made, promises kept.

Last year, I shared another unplanned threat. The failure of many of our water meters. This was due to a manufacturing issue. Dr. Earle brought together a cross-departmental team to tackle this vital project. Obvivouly meters and their accuracy are vital for our customers to have faith and trust that they are getting what they are paying for.

This project is facing challenges that include supply chain and staffing issues for not only installation of meters but the entire back office.

Tomorrow as we hold our first budget workshop, Dr. Earle will be presenting a new approach to ensure we get the project completed. Like I said! We are really busy!

But we are working on the plan! So Where are we going?

The plan was so on point last year it was the first year we had a robust debate on changing course. 2023 Fiscal stability!

Our Budget was balanced without the use of any reserves, Our reserves are well over $30,000. We budgeted over $80,000 Million Dollars to address Aging Infrastructure. Our staffing levels have increased even with the great resignation. This did not come without costs.

We performed a classification and compensation study to become competitive with the marketplace. Finding employees for various departments is still a huge concern.

Promises Made Promises Kept. WE have promised and continue to work for you and our number 1 priority remains your safety! Chief Michel has continued to fill positions with the hopes of having them all filled. Just last week two more officers were sworn in. Due to retirees, employees transferring and the gap between new hires there will be vacancies, but the Department is performing at a level well above any expectations. In addition, he has been tapping into our retired officers who can work part time. Their institutional knowledge is priceless.

I for one pushed for a rehire policy years ago and I am incredibly happy we are not losing officers that know our City and residents and can help train new officers.

Next week will be Part 5 of my SOTC.

As always feel free to contact me anytime with your questions and concerns at email: jcooper@cohb.org. Or at: joycooper@aol.com. I always can be reached by phone or text at: (954) 632-5700. Working for you! Always Have! Always will!