The Balance Sheet seeks to provide information about a wide range of Hollywood issues that are not generally covered in any depth in the mainstream media: issues like the city budget, taxes and fees, water and sewer capacity, the health of our beach, neighborhood conditions, development and growth.
Our goal is both to inform citizens and create a public forum for discussion. Use the CONTACT link to send in your views, your comments, and ideas. We sometimes post the comments we receive but we always ask your permission first.
Hollywood is facing a number of serious and significant issues as the summer closes behind us.
In September, the city commission will have to resolve a huge budget deficit. The last we knew, the deficit was around $15 million. The options include reducing service, increasing the tax rate, and raising user fees. We can expect all three. Citizens will have a chance to comment at the following public hearings, both to be held at city hall.
Mon., Sept. 14, 6 PM - first public hearing on the budget
Mon., Sept. 21, 6 PM – second public hearing on the budget
The Balance Sheet will be reporting on the budget process as it unfolds.
On September 30, the first round of proposals for development of Hollywood Beach’s Johnson Street property will be due. At this time we will be able get a rough idea about what developers are proposing for the site. All of us concerned with development of this valuable public property need to follow this process closely, as it is certain to produce a completed project, finally. The city’s recently hired Assistant City Manager has a background of successfully completing development projects on challenging sites, and she is charged with managing this one.
This summer has brought Hollywood another police scandal involving officers who were caught on video preparing an elaborate lie to justify a police car crash. Is this more “bad apples” in the police department or is it evidence of a culture of corruption? How the city commission chooses to characterize the episode, and what they intend to do about it, remain to be seen.
By the end of November, all city water meters will be read by wi-fi which we're told will lead to greater accuracy and early detection of leaks in the system. Parking and police communications are other wi-fi uses being rolled out now. This new city-wide technology is supposed to result in considerable cost reductions. We will be checking on the extent of wi-fi savings later this year.
The Balance Sheet Online is a website sponsored by residents of Hollywood, Florida to raise community awareness and encourage dialogue about issues important to the quality of life in our city. Sara Case and Laurie Schecter, editors.
