Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO CONSIDER enactment of an Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO MOTOR CARRIERS; AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 22½ OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES ("CODE"); PROVIDING THAT TAXICABS MAY USE A SOFTWARE PROGRAM, PLATFORM, OR APPLICATION INSTALLED ON AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE AS A TAXIMETER; PROVIDING THAT TAXICABS MAY CHARGE A FARE EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN THE FARE SET BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS; UPDATING THE DEFINITION OF DIVISION; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
 

(Sponsored by Commissioners Mark D. Bogen, Dale V.C. Holness, and Chip LaMarca)

(Per the Tuesday Morning Memorandum, Vice Mayor Furr requested to be added as a co-sponsor to this item.  In addition, through Mayor Sharief, Commissioners Bogen, Geller, and Ryan requested to be added as co-sponsors to this item.) 

ACTION:  (T-11:02 AM)  Filed proof of publication and enacted the Ordinance to become effective as provided by law. (Mayor Sharief requested to be added as a co-sponsor to this item.)  (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
 
VOTE: 8-0.  Commissioner LaMarca was not present.

A Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish notice of public hearing to consider enactment of the Ordinance was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of May 23, 2017.

Amends the Broward County Code of Ordinances ("Code") to allow taxicabs to use an electronic device as a taximeter and charge fares that are less than the fares set by the Board of County Commissioners.

Chapter 22½ of the Code, the Motor Carrier Ordinance, regulates for-hire ground transportation services in Broward County. The Motor Carrier Ordinance requires taxicabs to have installed a taximeter approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Weights and Measures or a designated facility authorized to certify meter operation. The Motor Carrier Ordinance also requires taxicabs to charge a fare set by the Board of County Commissioners ("Board"). Taxicabs have no flexibility with respect to the fare charged and are not permitted to discount or otherwise reduce the fares.   

The proposed Ordinance amends the Motor Carrier Ordinance to allow taxicabs in Broward County the option of using a software program, platform, or application installed on an electronic device as a taximeter. The proposed Ordinance would also allow taxicabs to charge fares that are less than the fares set by the Board.

Annika E. Ashton, Assistant County Attorney, 954-357-7600