Florida TaxWatch Releases Quarterly Report for Broward SMART Program
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch, the state's nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog of forty years, has released its review of the Broward County School District's SMART Program report for the quarter ending December 31, 2018. The report includes 9 recommendations, which will be presented and discussed by Florida TaxWatch's Vice President of Research Bob Nave at the Bond Oversight Committee's March 4, 2019 meeting.
The District has revised the schedule for the completion of SMART Program construction projects. The new construction schedule pushes the planned completion date for 26 projects back to calendar year 2022 and pushes the scheduled completion date for 3 projects back to the first quarter of calendar year 2023. Of greater concern is the issue of financial risk. Higher rates of inflation, higher roofing and mechanical/electrical/fire protection costs, and items that were excluded from the original scopes of work will undoubtedly continue to increase project costs.
"Controlling project costs and mitigating the additional financial risk to be the greatest challenge facing the District moving forward,” said Florida TaxWatch Vice President of Research Bob Nave. “It's important that the public is kept well-informed on this progress and on how their tax dollars are being put to use, and Florida TaxWatch will continue to work with the Bond Oversight Committee to ensure that they are."
You can read the full report and the rest of TaxWatch's work with the Broward Bond Oversight Committee here.
About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog & taxpayer research institute for forty years, 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 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 http://www.floridataxwatch.org.