Background:
On July 14, 2026, Resolution 26-128 was adopted allowing for the Uniform Method of Collecting Non-Ad Valorem Assessments within the Transportation Assessment Area commencing with Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2026 and continuing thereafter until discontinued by the City. The Transportation Assessment Fee will support the City's rideshare program in the western Sunrise area as an economic development tool. The assessment resolution establishes the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 rates to pay the transportation program assessable costs and approves the assessment roll.
This is the first year of the transportation assessment in the City of Sunrise. Staff is proposing an equivalent billing unit (EBU) rate of $94.71 for FY 2026/2027. It should be noted that residential properties will not be assessed as part of this Transportation Assessment.
The proposed rate for the Transportation Assessment would cover approximately 81% of the transportation program assessable costs and another $110,000 is being contributed to the program by the Metropica Development, which is required under the Development Agreement. The City anticipates the Transportation Assessment gross revenue for fiscal year 2026/2027 would be $525,739.
As part of the public outreach related to this new Transportation Special Assessment, City staff sent letters to assessed properties on two separate occasions. The first letter invited select businesses within the assessment area to meet with City staff about the new Assessment and only two businesses called to discuss the program. A second letter invited all businesses within the assessment area to a public meeting on August 26, 2026 at 6:00 pm to discuss the proposed assessment and only one business called us to discuss the assessment and one other business attended the meeting.
It is recommended that the City Commission approve the resolution to establish the rates for the Transportation Assessment to support the City's ride share program as included in the FY 2026/2027 Proposed Budget.