Florida TaxWatch Releases Quarterly Report for Broward SMART Program
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released its review of the Broward County School District's Safety, Music & Art, Athletics, Renovations and Technology (SMART) program in its report Monitoring and Oversight of General Obligation Bonds to Improve Broward County Schools: SMART Program Quarterly Report for Q1 2023-24.
The report will be presented by Florida TaxWatch’s Senior Vice President of Research Bob Nave at the quarterly Broward County Bond Oversight Committee meeting today, Thurs., Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m. Topics of discussion will include updates on the program’s progress and recommendations from Florida TaxWatch to support ongoing efforts.
Florida TaxWatch Senior Vice President of Research Bob Nave said, “As we approach the mid-point in the 2023-24 school year, Broward County Public Schools is also halfway through its 10th year of the Safety, Music & Art, Athletics, Renovations and Technology, or SMART, program. Florida TaxWatch’s analysis of the Bond Oversight Committee’s report for this quarter identifies significant progress, such as a decrease in project delays that has resulted in there now being more projects ahead of schedule than behind. However, the district still faces challenges, including staying within budget, meeting the expected completion date of Oct. 31, 2025, and addressing perceived inequities in business participation. With that in mind, Florida TaxWatch provides recommendations to the Bond Oversight Committee that focus on accountability and overall success of the program, while maintaining the best interests of local taxpayers.”
To access the full report and an overview of Florida TaxWatch’s work with the Broward County Bond Oversight Committee, please click here.
About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute for more than forty years and the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on taxpayers and businesses. FTW is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled FTW to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org.