Oakland Park Mayor Michael Carn delivered the 2022 State of the City Address at the November 2nd Oakland Park City Commission Meeting.
Mayor Carn said that he had the great and exciting honor to represent the Commission as we all collectively and modestly boast about our eight square mile slice of Broward County. “Oakland Park appears to be mastering its dance of the back and forth and the push and pull as we continue to witness such amazing improvements and transformations both in the physical and invisible form”.
Mayor Carn Shows the City's Accomplishments
The Mayor thanked all of our generous and dedicated residents, volunteers, business partners, City staff and leadership team members for all that they have done and will continue to do for our great City.
Mayor Carn then presented a video slide show showing numerous exciting events and accomplishments that have happened in our City over the past year. The Mayor narrated those accomplishments and State of the City achievements as the video was played to the public.
“Oakland Park is in a very financially sound position; our fiscal 2023 City Budget is valued at $138.2 million dollars. Our millage rate has been decreased this year and it is now Oakland Park’s lowest milage rate in the past twelve years. There have been eight millage rate reductions in Oakland Park in nine years. The fiscal 2023 Fiscal Budget maintains the City’s General Fund Reserves at 21%”.
Oakland Park Growth in Numbers
Mayor Carn also highlighted that this is the 10th year of growth in the City’s tax base to 4.5 Billion dollars, the highest in the City’s history. Oakland Park has also been awarded $48,583,537 in grant funding since 2015!
The City continues with its public investments on exciting projects like the recently opened City Park Phase One, located at NE 3rd Avenue next to the Collins Community Center. This Phase of the Park includes pickle ball courts, basketball courts, splash pad, playground, restrooms, and a fully renovated Refreshment Stand.
Ground was recently broken for the new North Andrews Gardens Community Center. Fire Station 87 is in the design phase for its new building and design work is underway for Phase Two of City Park which will include the new Oakland Park Library.
Development Still in Progress
Roadway and mobility improvements have been completed throughout the City and there are more currently in progress and on the drawing boards. These improvements include new sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping.
Revitalization of our downtown is proceeding very quickly with new residential, commercial and park space. There has been over $330 million in new construction in the City in just this past year which includes the Sky Building, Oak Tree by Pulte, The Horizon Development, The Blys Development, Oaklyn, Central Park, and ID of Oakland Park.
The City is in the midst of conducting the West Side Business Study for the Western side of Oakland Park, west of i-95.
Business Support and Community Improvement
The “Find it in OP” campaign continues again this year as well as the return of the Oakland Park Local Government Academy.
In 2022 the City was awarded the “Excellence in Local Government Award” from the International City Managers’ Association as well as receiving a perfect score of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation Municipal Equality Index for inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.
The City continues to promote community wellness and recreation programs, and champion environmental stewardship and affordable housing.
The City is progressing on improving Oakland Park’s image with landscape improvements on Oakland Park Boulevard. New City Entryway signage is in design for all of the City’s entryways.
Two free tree giveaways were conducted this past year and the “Save Our Swales” program is in progress.
Mayor Carn thanked everyone for the wonderful past seven years he has sat on the dais. He stated he is proud of Oakland Park and of everyone’s accomplishments this past year.
