Florida TaxWatch Releases Quarterly Report for Broward SMART Program
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released its latest review of the Broward County School District's SMART Program in its report Monitoring and Oversight of General Obligation Bonds to Improve Broward County Schools: SMART Program Quarterly Report Review for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2020. The report makes two recommendations addressing concerns related to continued delays of Primary Renovations projects and the program’s increasing financial risk.
Florida TaxWatch Vice President of Research Bob Nave said, “Florida TaxWatch commends the Broward County School District SMART Program for its success in providing students with enhanced technology in their classrooms, improving athletic facilities, and securing thousands of new pieces of music, art, and theater equipment. However, we remain incredibly concerned with troubling delays and steadily rising costs that have put the program further behind schedule and increased its financial risk by more than $30 million. The recommendations offered in Florida TaxWatch’s latest review focus on these key issues. We look forward to continuing our work with the Bond Oversight Committee to achieve the best possible return on investment for taxpayers.”
You can read the full report and see the rest of FTW's work with the Broward County Bond Oversight Committee 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 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 citizens and businesses. Florida TaxWatch is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants, and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled Florida TaxWatch 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.