Most community association attorneys have been scolded by unit owners more than once when an owner claims “I pay your bills, you work for me!.” The association’s legal counsel represents the corporate entity and answers to the board of directors, not the unit owners.
In a recent appellate court decision from the Florida Third District Court of Appeals, the court explicitly held that an association attorney owes no duty to unit owners.
In his latest newsletter, Marty Kiar, Property Appraiser, provides an easy to print proof of your Homestead Exemption status. This proof is good to have for your records, and if your mortgage or insurance company requests homestead verification, this is the proof you can provide.
Three legal opinions from Poliakoff Backer law firm provide important updated information for association in their operations. The three issues deal with:
#1 – Court Invalidates Amendment Reducing Vote Requirement
#2 – Court Holds that Code Enforcement Liens Do Not Bind Condominium Units or Common Elements
#3 – Federal Corporate Transparency Act RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL — This is a new federal law that would require all associations to register with the federal government.
If you have any questions on these legal matters, please consult with your legal counsel.
The Florida State Legislature adjourned its 60-day session on March 8, 2024.
Becker’s state lobbying report states that 1,957 Bills and Proposed Committee Bills (PCBs)filed; 2,196 Amendments filed, 3,051 Votes taken, and 324 Bills passed both chambers.
Click here for the final state legislative chart showing the final status of all bills.
Look at all the wonderful events happening at our Galt Ocean Mile Reading Center during the month of April 2024. Walk on over and enjoy these FREE events and activities. There is something for everyone.
The monthly activity calendar for the Galt Ocean Mile Reading Center is always posted on our Facebook page: facebook.com/galtmilecommunity.
Commissioner Lamar Fisher provides many county updates in his latest newsletter. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently advised that they are updating their Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for Broward County, which will become effective July 31, 2024. These FIRMs are used by FEMA, flood insurance agents and mortgage lenders to determine flood insurance purchase requirements and flood insurance rates throughout Broward County.
Broward County Commission took a major step by approving an Affordable Housing Master Plan, a first of its kind in the State of Florida. The landmark plan sets the stage for a robust inventory of affordable housing options and identifies affordable housing as a major budget priority necessary to meet the increasing demands of our growing population.
Other updates include the Broward County’s Cultural Division, vacancies on the Broward County Advisory Boards, Broward County Parks waterparks will be open on weekends only, starting Saturday, April 6, until June 9. Then, mark your calendars because from Tuesday, June 11 parks will be open seven days a week, and The Broward Heart Project is an initiative funded by the Broward County Commission that encourages Broward residents to focus on their cardiovascular health. This free non-invasive test is for residents 45 to 70 years old with active health insurance.
In his latest newsletter, Rep Chip LaMarca provides an overview of the legislative session that concluded on March 8, 2024. In his newsletter, he states that the 2024 Legislative session has concluded, and “I successfully secured many of my legislative priorities and helped pass legislation that will make Florida a more affordable and better place to live.” This year’s Legislative session was a very busy one for District 100. I filed and ran 7 bills and I was a prime co-sponsor on another bill, all of which passed and will be sent to the governor for signing.
LaMarca stated it was a privilege to carry the My Safe Florida Home program bill again, which appropriates $200 million dollars for grants and eliminates the requirement that DFS maintain a list of participating contractors for the grant portion of the program. Participants in the program may choose any properly licensed contractor to perform home improvements. HB 943 is the public records exemption that protects your data from bad actors after you have applied to use the program.
He also provides a list of appropriations for District 100 that were included in the budget. The House and Senate agreed to a $117.46 billion budget, which includes record funding for education, public safety, healthcare, transportation, tourism, environment, general government, and economic development. After more than a week of budget negotiations, the Legislature passed the state’s Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget.
Click here to read the full legislative report from Rep LaMarca.
We are saddened to report the passing of Eric Berkowitz, our friend, colleague, and long-time advocate on behalf of the Galt Mile. Eric passed away on March 15, 2024.
Eric served on the Galt Mile Community Association Board of Directors and as Vice President of the Board. He was the driving force behind the Galt Security Patrol, whereby associations joined to hire off-duty Fort Lauderdale police officers to patrol the beach and streets.
Having lived in both Ocean Manor and Southpoint before serving on the Regency Tower Board of Directors, Eric Peter Berkowitz developed a unique perspective of the Galt Mile. Eric created and served as webmaster of the Galt Mile Community Association web site, one of largest and most comprehensive in South Florida. As editor of the “Galt Mile News”, the Association’s newsletter, he kept community residents and neighborhood merchants informed about issues critical to their rights, homes and lifestyles.
A prolific writer, Eric relates Association policy as formulated by the Board, the Advisory Board and concerned residents. Always active, Eric’s organizational skills were critical to Fort Lauderdale’s inclusion in the beach renourishment project, the installation of Automated External Defibrillators throughout the neighborhood, the successful promotion of practical fire safety regulations and myriad other challenges.
Eric also served as the community’s eyes and ears, alerting the neighborhood to positive and negative political impacts emanating from Fort Lauderdale’s City Hall, Broward County, Tallahassee and Washington DC.
Eric was my “eyes and ears on the Galt,” stated Galt Mile President Fred Nesbitt. “He always told me, ‘I have your back” and my job is to keep you out of trouble.” He did that with perfection. “The Galt has lost an advocate and a person with unlimited knowledge about our past – never forgetting a single detail or name.” That history has been lost with Eric’s passing. We will miss you my friend.
