Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Broward County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
14 issues in environment
PFAS 'forever chemicals' litigation settlements
The county would be authorized to join additional drinking water settlements in the national PFAS lawsuit, bringing recovery dollars for water system impacts.
Reef protection and Port Everglades dredging
Miami Waterkeeper speakers warned that dredging has buried threatened corals and urged stronger safeguards before the Army Corps maintenance dredging proceeds.
Climate Change Compact cost reduction
The county approved second amendments trimming the term and cost of its staffing agreement with the Institute for Sustainable Communities and the four-county compact interlocal.
Beach renourishment funding request
New federal Corps policies are demanding more easements than the county has, threatening future renourishment funding; the board approved an easement agreement, a temporary Segment II withdrawal, and legal studies to fix it.
Regional climate change compact
The county cut its payments and shortened the term of the agreement staffing the four-county regional climate compact.
Solid waste master plan and facilities amendment
Broward is running out of landfill and incineration capacity. The facilities amendment — the final linchpin after six years and 160-plus meetings — sets up flow control so the county can launch composting, glass recycling and yard-waste programs and keep disposal prices stable for all 21 cities in the agreement.
2026 Resilience Plan adopted
The county adopted its capstone climate resilience blueprint through 2070 — a national model, though it commits no spending by itself.
Waste Collection Franchise Fees
The countywide recycling and solid waste plan is advancing; with flow control, the estimated cost to households dropped to $5-$10 a year, but every city must approve it by August.
Flood protection and canal infrastructure funding
Mayor Bogen pressed staff: the county has no strategic plan to raise the billions needed for canal pumps and flood infrastructure, and neighborhoods could face worse flooding within a decade. The board agreed to a funding workshop.
Manatee Protection Plan update
Commissioner Fisher's plan directs a full update of the Manatee Protection Plan — boat facility counts, seagrass studies, manatee aerial surveys and boating compliance — with state and federal wildlife agencies.
Resiliency plan funding
Mayor Bogen keeps pushing for a dedicated funding source for the county's resiliency plan, warning that 1,800 miles of canals need roughly $1 billion of work within a $27-28 billion program or neighborhoods face major flooding within ten years.
Battery Recycling Ordinance
Publix and the Retail Federation oppose Geller's battery recycling ordinance, but he warned that killing it would restore the stricter original version taking effect March 1 — a rule aimed at lithium batteries igniting garbage trucks.
Dania Beach mangrove protection
A developer wanted 3.5 acres of protected mangroves removed from the environmentally sensitive lands map to build a warehouse. The Commission said no, 8-0, siding with the city, environmental experts and dozens of residents.
RAIN flood early warning system expansion
Cities can now sign on to the county's RAIN flood early-warning system under a new form agreement — useful as flooding risk grows across Broward.