DATE: June 3, 2009
CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe, Public Information Manager
Broward County Commission
PHONE: 954-357-8053
EMAIL: kmaroe@broward.org
Broward County Commissioners approved a five-year lease agreement for the Galt Ocean Mile Branch Library.
The Galt Ocean Mile Branch Library is a County-operated library on leased property. Closing seven libraries, including the Galt Ocean Mile Branch, is being considered as commissioners work to make budget cuts in the range of $40 million to $129 million for fiscal year 2010. A final decision on all proposals to close the budget gap will not be finalized until September when a balanced budget must be approved.
"I will not vote to raise taxes, but closing this library is not an option I am willing to consider," said Broward County Vice Mayor Ken Keechl, whose district includes the Galt Ocean Mile area of Fort Lauderdale. "I am willing to make the difficult decisions that will be necessary to balance the budget and as we move forward there will be much bigger and broader conversations as the commission tackles the economic challenges that lie ahead."
The current lease on the Galt Ocean Mile Branch Library expires June 30. Numerous residents who use the Galt Ocean Mile Branch Library contacted commissioners protesting the proposed closure. The new five-year lease agreement can be terminated, if necessary, after one year, with 180 days notice given to the landlord. The annual rental rate including operating costs under the new agreement is $70,854 or $14.32 per square foot. Other properties leased in that area range from $14 to $28 per square foot with multi-year lease agreements.
Public hearings on the proposed 2010 budget will take place September 10 and September 22, both beginning at 5:01 at p.m. in the Broward County Commission Chambers, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 422, in Fort Lauderdale. The final budget will approved at the end of the second public hearing and will go into effect on October 1, 2009.
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