Fort Lauderdale, FLorida – Broward County has been recognized with 33 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), marking a significant milestone in its history. This year’s awards nearly double last year’s count, highlighting innovative government programs that enhance residents’ quality of life. Among these accolades, the Best in Category award was given for the “FLL Airport Lost & Found Items Get New Life at Animal Care” initiative.
FLL Airport and Animal Care Collaboration
The Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD), which operates the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), has partnered with Broward County Animal Care. This collaboration repurposes unclaimed items from FLL’s Lost & Found Office, such as towels, blankets, throws, and shawls, to provide comfort for animals under the care of the Animal Care division. Items not claimed within 30 days are donated, promoting sustainability and supporting the growing need for cost-effective pet-care amenities.
Wide Range of Award-Winning Programs
Broward County, the second largest county in Florida and the 17th largest in the nation, has been recognized for a diverse array of programs and services. These initiatives promote environmental resiliency, leverage technology for real-time information, and improve public safety and transportation. Some notable winners include:
Urban Planning and Technology
- Urban Planning Division GIS Section: Four awards for creating online platforms and tools such as the Summary of Services Applications, a Demographic Hub, and advancements for the election process and beach inspections.
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Libraries and Cultural Initiatives
- Broward County Library: Three awards for initiatives like “Freedom to Read,” eliminating barriers to library usage; “The Library Living Room,” offering community activities; and the Black History Saturday School Series.
Mobility and Resilience
- Mobility Advancement Program (MAP Broward): Two awards for educational video development and a public education program on transportation transformation.
- Resilient Environment Department’s Innovation Unit: Awards for the Broward County Citizen Data Portal and Climate Resilient Dashboards.
Economic and Small Business Development
- Office of Economic & Small Business Development (OESBD): Recognized for developing the Small Business Online Certification Application, creating multilingual assets, and forming the South Florida Anchor Alliance Regional Marketplace to increase procurement opportunities for minority-owned businesses.
Human Services and Community Support
- Human Services’ Family Success Administration Division: Awards for the Eviction Mediation initiative and the Rookie Independent Savings Education Program (R.I.S.E.), focusing on financial literacy for children and teenagers from low-income families.
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Transportation and Infrastructure
- Transportation: Two awards for enhancing the bidding process for parts and developing the Premium Mobility Plan (PREMO), which includes a network of premium transit services.
Human Resources and Employee Engagement
- Human Resources: Awards for innovative teaching tools modeled after The Game of LIFE and an attendance tool for WellBeing event participation.
Emergency Management and Public Safety
- Office of Emergency Management and Enterprise Technology Services: An award for developing the Broward County Healthcare Facility Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Electronic Portal.
- Office of Regional Communications and Technology: An award for the Closest Unit Response program, improving public safety by assigning the nearest capable fire or rescue unit to emergency calls.
Cultural and Recreational Programs
- Parks & Recreation Division: An award for the NewGen Program, providing alternatives to youth violence and crime.
- Cultural Division: Recognized for hosting the State of the Arts Address, bringing together stakeholders to discuss future projects and accomplishments.
The diverse and innovative programs recognized by NACo demonstrate Broward County’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its residents. From improving public safety and transportation to promoting environmental sustainability and community engagement, Broward County continues to set a high standard for county services nationwide.
