Meeting with Prison Fellowship Ministries

I met with representatives of Prison Fellowship Ministries today to discuss some of the good work they are doing in South Florida--and some of their critical ministry needs. One of the many areas of their ministry is the Angel Tree Program, which serves the children of inmates.

Prison Fellowship Ministries performs a vital role in our community. I highly recommend them.

Click MORE for more information, or go to the Prison Fellowship Ministries Website.
More...

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Promoting Economic Development is an Ongoing Process

I met this week with representatives from Nova Southeastern University (NSU), local business leaders, and representatives of a company which is considering locating in NSU's Academical Village. The meetings and facilities tour, which lasted about 2 1/2 hours, represent an important part of the Mayor's duties--promoting appropriate economic development.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Name that Street (Answer)

Here's the trivia question from a couple of days ago.

Question: Which street is pictured in the photo at left?

Hint: This street features old, majestic shade trees and palm trees aplenty; multi-acre residential lots; a rural feeling; quiet streets; and wood fencing.

No one ventured an answer or guess, so the prize is rolled over to the next trivia contest...

ANSWER: The street in the picture is 53rd Avenue, just west of the Florida Turnpike. [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Town Budget, Interesting Fact No. 2: Source of General Fund Revenue

The next interesting budget fact is that only about 37% of the General Fund Budget comes from advalorem property tax. The rest comes from franchise fees, intergovernmental, and the like.

Trend: the percentage of general fund generated from advalorem property tax is pretty typical for Davie. During the past several years, this item has been close to one-third or a little higher.

Meaning: Contrary to what many people think, most of the money the town spends does NOT come directly from the property taxes that property owners pay. Only about a third of our general budget comes from that source.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Town Budget, Interesting Fact No. 1: Source of Revenue

Over the next several weeks, I'll be presenting a few interesting facts about the Town of Davie's Budget. The first of these points is that about 58% of our projected taxable revenue next year will come from single family homes (see chart, PDF file). In fact, when you add in other residential categories, you will see that the overwelming majority of taxable value come from the residents who live here. But before you draw too many conclusions, wait to see how taxable value relates to the overall budget AND where we spend the Town's money!

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

The draft budget is out

Davie's budget (in draft form is out). It should be posted on the web soon.

Here's an excerpt from Administrations overview... More...

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

...from last night's Town Council Meeting...

1. FIRE RESCUE ASSESSMENT RATE - We gave preliminary approval for a moderate increase in the Fire Rescue Rate. This rate may be approved or cut after public hearing.
   
2. The Town Council heard a Site Plan Application, Rezoning Request, and a related application having to do with the proposed charter school (Oak Scholar of Broward, LLC) on Shotgun Road. This is NOT the proposed County Middle School, which is proposed for just south of this site. After extensive discussion, the Council voted to table the matter. I stated I would have voted against the proposal because the underlying traffic issues to not appear to be susceptible to resolution. The motion to table passed 4-1, with my vote being the only dissent.
   
3. We agreed to discuss the recent Supreme Court Decision on Eminent Domain at our next meeting.
   
4. We agreed to discuss the garbage contract at our next meeting.
   

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Trivia question: Name that Street

OK, here's a Trivia question to determine if anyone from Davie is looking at this blOg; and what you know about Davie.

Question: Which street is pictured in the photo at left?

Hint: This street features old, majestic shade trees and palm trees aplenty; multi-acre residential lots; a rural feeling; quiet streets; and wood fencing.

I'll wait a few days to see if anyone can name this street. Send your answers/guesses to me at truex@davie.org

Photo: Trivia question--which street, in Davie, is in the picture??? [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Mayor Truex gives Message at Broward Community Chapel Sunday Morning Worship Service

I was honored to be able to present the message to the Sunday Morning Worship Service at Broward Community Chapel this past Sunday. Broward Community Chapel has held services in western Davie for a number of years, under the leadership of the late Dr. Lee Drake, who passed away recently.

This church congregation has an old time, small town, family flavor. I would heartily recommend them to anyone seeking those qualities in a local church home.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Town Coucil Agenda is Online

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on Wednesday, July 20, 2005. The Agenda is online.

Note the following items, in which there may be general public interest*:

1. FIRE RESCUE ASSESSMENT RATE - proposing a moderate increase in the Fire Rescue Rate [3.14]
   
2. Several Site Plans and Rezoning requests, including those for Oak Scholar of Broward, LLC, on Shotgun Road
   
3. Discussion of the recent Supreme Court Decision on Eminent Domain [8.4.]
   

*Items on the agenda may be tabled. Links to agenda items are PDF files and require a PDF Reader

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Archive photo of the week: Heliconia (Lobster's Claw)

Here's another type of heliconia in our back yard. This particular variety is commonly called a "lobster's claw." I think I have heard it called a "bear's claw" too. But I may be just confusing the plant with the pastry by that name. This variety has been around a long time.

Photo: Heliconia in the Mayor's back yard. [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Garbage Contract Public Meeting

The public meeting to discuss options on the Waste Management contract took place on the time, date and place as scheduled. A number of residents expressed dissatisfaction with implementation of the new franchise contract. To summarize a long meeting, bulk trash pickup of trees cuttings and other yard waste continues to be a major problem. After the first public input meeting, Waste Management proposed several alternatives to amend the Towns contract. Unfortunately, two out of three options were ruled out by the Town Attorney's office, because of the original bid process (i.e. the Town would be open to litigation by the unsuccessful bidder). The option not ruled out by the Town Attorney, and agreed to by Waste Management would be a variation on this theme: ALL bulk materials of every kind would be picked up once a month--tree branches of every size, palm fronds, etc. The debris would not have to tied or bundled. The price would be no more than the current rate (as proposed by Waste Management) or less.

I am going to continue to urge the Town Council to act quickly on this issue. Hurricane season is here and yard waste is piling up in some neighborhoods.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Waste Management Meeting Tomorrow Night

The Town will hold a meeting with Waste Management and Davie Residents to discuss proposed changes in the services offered as part of the garbage franchise. The Meeting will be at Robbins Lodge (on Hiatus Road) tomorrow night (July 14, 2005) at 7:00 p.m.

This meeting is open to the public.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Fourth of July revisited: Picture 5 of 5

Photo: Mayor Truex and Councilwoman Starkey represent the Town Council at the July Fourth festivities at Pine Island Park: "Dispite what you may have heard to the contrary, the the United States still is the greatest country in the world!" [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Fourth of July revisited: Picture 4 of 5

Photo: Celebrating Independance day with America's Birthday Cake. [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Fourth of July revisited: Picture 3 of 5

Photo: Pine Island Park Pool. [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Fourth of July revisited: Picture 2 of 5

Photo: Here's a couple of members of the child safety board, hard at work. [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Fourth of July revisited: Picture 1 of 5

I took a lot of pictures at the Town's annual 4th of July Celebration. Now is as good as time as any to share them.

Photo: Here's another picture of the white foamy stuff supplied by the Fire Department. [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Davie Town Council Handing Away Money

Last night the Davie Town Council was handing out money as if there was no tomorrow. Well, it's tomorrow already, and the taxpayers of Davie will still pay the bill.

First of all, let me say that I have a great deal of respect for the other individuals serving on the Davie Town Council. But I have no respect at all for a couple of their decisions last night:

1. One businessman agreed to settle a dispute over his road impact payments for $272,000. Town staff was actually trying to get him to pay more. The Town Council turned him down cold. Instead of paying $272,000 to the Town, we flat out insisted that he pay $172,000 instead ($100,000 LESS than he had offered to pay).

2. We approved the Town Administrator's contract which, among other things, says he will get paid 10% more than the next highest paid Town employee. There's no cap on the amount, but it looks like he'll get a cool 50% raise, just for asking. Perhaps a bit more or less, not to mention a generous benefits package. Such as 5 weeks vacation and another 2 1/2 weeks in "executive days." Not bad for your first year on the job. This pay package is terrible policy in so many obvious ways. One if which is that it pays a young individual just starting out on the job more than a top manager with 30 years of experience. Another is that it creates an incentive for a manager to boost his staff's pay, because it directly benefits him.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

July 4th Celebration at Pine Island Park.

The 4th of July celebration at Pine Island Park is one of the most popular events hosted by the Town of Davie. This year the temperature was a real scorcher. A little foam and water (provided by the Davie Fire Department) helped cool off children and adults.

Photo: Fire Department spraying foam on the 4th of July. [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Town Council Agenda Online

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on Wednesday, July 6, 2005. The Agenda is online.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Join Us at Pine Island Park as Davie Celebrates America's Birthday

The Town of Davie celebrates Independence Day with a full schedule of events at Pine Island park. Join me for the cake cutting (America's Birthday Cake) at 6:30 p.m. The Mayor and Town Council serve the cake--a Davie tradition!

[*click* flag for information on Davie's July 4th activities]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Archive Photo of the Week: Coconut Tree

If you lived in South Florida in the 1970's, you probably remember the blight that killed almost every coconut tree in the region. Those trees were mostly Jamaican Tall coconuts, which are highly susceptible to lethal yellowing.

Arborists tried innoculating the trees, which proved futile. The only "cure" was to introduce a new variety--namely the Malayan Dwarf Coconut. This variety does lack some of the stately swaying height of the old tees. But they supposedly resist the blight--although I've read recently, they are not as blight resistant as once thought.

I tried planting three of the old Jamaican Tall Coconuts in the 1980's. They were imported from the Florida Keys, where the blight hadn't killed them all yet. The trees grew fine for a while. But they fell to the blight eventually. After they'd grown tall enough to make their removal a problem.

Lessons Learned?

• Seek out species that are resistant to known diseases/pests. Now we have three blight resistant coconuts growing in our back yard.
  
• Any plant species can fall prey to a disease/pest/blight. Even if you like a particular species, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify.
  
• Experiment. Variety is the spice of life.
  
• If at first you don't succeed, plant again.
  

Photo: Malayan Dwarf Coconut tree. One of three in the Mayor's back yard [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Davie Taxable Value Up Slightly

Today's newspapers (Sun-Sentinel and Herald*) reported the Property Appraiser's prediction for a slight increase, over her first estimate, in the assessed taxable value of property. This is good news (so long as you are not one of the people who's taxes are being increased.) It should also help Davie slightly in making our budget, so long as you keep a few things in mind:

• Davie's property tax revenue accounts for only about a third of our general budget.
  
  
• The projected increase over the previous estimate is only slightly higher.
  
  
• The majority of taxes reflected on your property tax bill does not go to the Town of Davie. The County Commission and County School Board, among others, make up most of our property taxes.
  
  
• Large personnel cost increases in the Town of Davie (mostly in the area of already approved public safety personnel contracts) have already largely determined where increases in revenue will be spent.
  

We need to see the final figures and amounts, before I declare a celebration.

Under the category of "better late than never", I see that the County Tax Appraiser is urging local government to cut their tax rates. According to the Sun-Sentinel: "There needs to be some relief because the taxes have gotten to be outrageous," [Tax Appraiser, Lori] Parrish said. "If we don't slow it down some, people will be leaving the area. They will be taxed out of the ability to buy a home."

Cutting taxes is generally good advice, and I look forward to seeing the cuts proposed in the budget of the Tax Appraiser's office. Ms. Parrish is an alumnus of both the School Board, and the County Commission (two groups sometimes criticized for their lack of fiscal restraint and common sense during and after her tenure). I hope they will climb on the fiscal responsibility train along with Ms. Parrish. As I said, better late than never.


*No link to the Herald is provided in protest of their aggravating policy of requiring registration (free) to read any article--even today's.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks