Broward County, Florida

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Broward County is one of 67 counties in Florida. Fort Lauderdale is the county seat.

Broward's population as of 2007 was 1,765,707. It is one of 20 charter counties in the state. It became a charter county in 1975.[1]

[edit] Evaluation of website

Main article: Evaluation of Florida county websites

[edit] The good

  • Budget and financial reports are available online.[2]
  • Meetings are broadcast online live.[3]
  • Commissioners are listed with contact information.[4]
  • Meeting schedules, minutes, and agendas are available.[5]
  • County auditor reports are available.[6]
  • Building permits and zoning information is available.[7]
  • Local tax information is provided.[8]
  • Contracts are online.[9]

[edit] The bad

[edit] Lobbying

Main articles:Florida taxpayer-funded lobbying and Florida League of Cities

Broward County has reported $2,810,000 spent lobbying since 2000 (see table).

Reported lobbying expenditures, 2000-2009 [10]
Year Amount spent on lobbying
2009 $140,000
2008 $310,000
2007 $320,000
2006 $320,000
2005 $320,000
2004 $320,000
2003 $280,000
2002 $220,000
2001 $340,000
2000 $240,000

Representation[11] [12]

Firm Branch Compensation range
Capitol Hill Group, LLP Legislature
Executive 		$5,000
$1 to $9,999
Ericks Consultants, Inc. Legislature $15,000
Pittman Law Group Legislature $15,000
Ronald L. Book PA Legislature
Executive 		$15,000
$10,000 to $19,999
Tripp Scott PA Legislature
Executive 		$15,000
$10,000 to $19,999

Broward County has lobbying representation from firms. There are Capitol Hill Group, Ericks Consultants, Pittman Law Group, Ronald L. Book P.A., and Tripp Scott P.A..

For the lobbying it does before the legislature, the county has 16 lobbyists. [13] For lobbying before the executive, it utilizes the services of 11 lobbyists. [14]

[edit] County boards and other offices

The Broward County Board of Commissioners has a lobbyist on its payroll for lobbying before the executive[15] and is represented by the firm Fowler White Boggs, P.A.[16]

The Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals has a lobbyist it compensates between $1.00 to $9,999.00 for lobbying before the Florida legislature. [11] [17]

The Broward County Clerk of Courts has two lobbyists[18] it compensates $15,000 for lobbying the legislature. [19] [11] The Broward County Property Appraiser has two lobbyists[20] it compensates $15,000.[21] [11] Representation is provided by Ericks Consultants Inc.[22]

[edit] Sheriff

The Broward County Sheriff's Office is represented by:[16] [22] [11] [12]

Firm Branch Compensation range
Ericks Consultants, Inc Legislature
Executive 		$15,000
$10,000 to $19,999
Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Legislature
Executive 		$0
$0
Heffley & Associates Legislature
Executive 		$5,000
$1 to $9,999

[edit] Broward Principals and Administrative Assistants

Broward Principals and Administrative Assistants lobby the executive and the legislature.[16] [22] The group pays at least two lobbyists,[23] [24] and it is unclear whether this is equivalent to the Broward Principals' and Assistants' Association. [25]

[edit] Taxpayer-funded lobbying associations

Broward pays membership dues[26] to the Florida League of Cities, a taxpayer-funded lobbying association.

[edit] Audits

For Broward County, the County Commission hires the County Auditor who reports directly to the commission. The Charter change established this function.[27]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ↑ Florida's charter counties
  2. ↑ Budget
  3. ↑ Televised Meetings
  4. ↑ Commissioners
  5. ↑ Meeting Information
  6. ↑ Audit Reports
  7. ↑ Building and Zoning
  8. ↑ Tax Information
  9. ↑ Contracts
  10. ↑ Open Secrets
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE—2009/QTR 1 COMPENSATION BY PRINCIPAL
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 EXECUTIVE BRANCH—2009/QTR 1 COMPENSATION BY PRINCIPAL
  13. ↑ 2009 Legislative Principal - Broward County
  14. ↑ 2009 Executive Principal - Broward County
  15. ↑ 2009 Executive Principal - Broward County Board of County Commissioners
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 2009 Q1 Executive
  17. ↑ 2009 Legislative Principal - Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals
  18. ↑ 2009 Legislative Principal - Broward County Clerk of Courts
  19. ↑ 2009 Legislative Lobbyist by Principal
  20. ↑ 2009 Legislative Principal - Broward County Property Appraiser
  21. ↑ 2009 Legislative Lobbyist by Principal
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 2009 Q1 Legislative Lobbying
  23. ↑ 2009 Legislative Principal - Broward Principals and Administrative Assistants
  24. ↑ 2009 Legislative Principal - Broward Principals and Administrative Assistants
  25. ↑ Broward Principals' and Assistants' Association
  26. ↑ Membership Directory
  27. ↑ PBC Clerk & Comptroller 5.30.07
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