Public Works director outlines Fortify progress, $1M stormwater request and $172M Melrose/Riverland project

Public Works Director Brad delivered a high-level FY2027 budget briefing to the Fort Lauderdale Budget Advisory Board, saying the departments baseline budget is essentially flat year-over-year at approximately $119 million to $120 million. He told the board the most significant decision package is roughly $1 million for stormwater operations and maintenance to cover the additional assets and maintenance associated with recently completed Fortify Phase 1 projects.

Brad said Fortify Phase 1 added new pump stations, outfalls and miles of stormwater infrastructure that increase the departments operations and maintenance workload; the $1 million request covers additional contractual maintenance and some overtime but not new full-time personnel. He said the department is monitoring trends and will bring future staffing requests if data show additional full-time capacity is needed.

The director highlighted several capital projects tied to Fortify: Victoria Park is underway, Southeast Isles is about 60% through design and expected to go to bid late in 2027, and an awarded Melrose Manor/Riverland project—described in the meeting as roughly $172 million—is expected to take about two years and address severe drainage deficits in parts of District 3. Brad said the department expects a bond infusion in the ballpark of $330 million toward the end of June; that money will help complete Phase 1 and begin the first three Phase 2 projects (Melrose Park, Middle River terrace improvements and Lauderdale Isles/River Landing areas).

Board members asked about operational targets: one member asked about the number of catch basins and targets for cleaning. Staff said inspections are performed twice a year and catch-basin cleanings follow inspection-identified needs; the presenter cited a system universe and current cleaning/inspection rates indicating variability year to year and acknowledged targets will continue to be refined.

On fleet spending, staff explained the city uses an internal fleet fund that purchases vehicles and related loose equipment (for example, equipment needed to outfit fire engines) and then charges departments for outfitting as part of a service charge-back and the fire assessment fee. Brad also said the department is pursuing accreditation from the American Public Works Association (APWA), aiming to complete it within one to two years.

What happens next: Staff will track performance measures (inspections, catch-basin cleanings, overtime) and may bring targeted staffing or capital decision packages in future budgets if asset growth causes sustained operational gaps.