New Broward Courthouse Will Be Partially Funded by Residents’ Taxes

Our Broward County Criminal Defense Attorneys have recently learned that the Broward County commissioners will tax property owners to help fund a new courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. The 50-year-old courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale had problems including rats and mold. County administrators say it would probably not survive another hurricane, so commissioners voted on Tuesday to continue with a $328 million project to replace it.

Beginning either this fall or in 2011, homeowners will pay an average of $8 on their tax bills. Because the taxes to pay for new libraries and parks will soon expire, commissioners say tax payers will not notice a difference in their tax bills. They also argue that the county does not get voter approval on big projects like the convention center or sports arena.

The new courthouse will include 75 courtrooms and judicial chambers and spaces for clerk of court and prosecutor offices. It will also have a parking garage to accommodate roughly 1,300 cars.

Source: UPDATE: Broward residents to be taxed to build new courthouse, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, February 2, 2010
Contact a Broward County Criminal Defense Lawyer if you have questions regarding your legal rights.