Press Releases

Shea Smith Appointed to Oversight Board for Transportation Surtax

Posted on January 23, 2019

BROWARD COUNTY, FL – Jan. 2019 – An independent Oversight Board of volunteer professionals was appointed on Thursday, January 10th to oversee the administration of funds collected from the recently approved penny surtax for transportation. The Board will be responsible for reviewing projects for eligibility, monitoring revenues and expenditures, and offering transparency and accountability to the public. The Board was appointed by an Appointing Authority, Chaired by local businessman Randall Vitale.

Board members will serve a four-year term and meet at least quarterly. Oversight Board Members are comprised of one individual from each of the eight following categories:

Accounting: Shea Smith, Director of Audit and Attest Services, Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants

Smith has nearly 20 years of experience with a variety of companies and industries, working with business owners and entrepreneurs providing accounting, auditing and consulting services in Broward County.

Finance: Phil Allen, Retired

Allen served as CEO/Port Director of Broward’s Port Everglades and previously as Chief Financial Officer for Broward County. He headed the transition of the former Port Everglades Authority into a department of Broward County.

Architecture: Douglas Coolman, Retired

Coolman was a Principal at EDSA, Inc., a planning, landscape architecture and urban design firm in Fort Lauderdale and continues to practice as an independent registered landscape architect.

Land Use and Urban Planning: Cynthia Chambers, Retired

Chambers most recently served as Director of Broward’s Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department, having worked for Broward County in an urban planning and redevelopment capacity for more than 34 years.

Engineering/Construction Management: Alan Hooper, General Contractor and Real Estate Re-developer, Hooper Construction, Inc., and a founding member of Urban Street Development

For more than 24 years, his companies have planned, designed, developed, constructed and managed more than 1.8 million square feet of neighborhood mixed-use construction projects in Broward County.

Environmental Sciences: George Cavros, Esq., P.A., Florida Energy Policy Attorney, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

Cavros has been actively involved in advocacy, education, policies, coalition building and litigation that focuses on the environment, renewable energy, energy efficiency and protecting the State’s natural resources.

Former City or County Manager: Allyson C. Love, Assistant City Manager, City of Homestead

Love previously served as Deputy City Manager for the City of Miramar, Acting City Manager for the City of Fort Lauderdale and has experience in various other positions including Auditor, and Budget Director.

Resident Consumer of Public Transportation: Danielle McGill, Advocate, Ann Stork Center, Inc., and Creator of A Ride Away Project

As an advocate, McGill helps transportation disadvantaged individuals learn about the different transportation options available in Broward County. She is a regular user of Broward’s TOPS! Paratransit service.

In November 2018, Broward County voters approved a local one cent, 30-year surtax to increase mobility and address transportation challenges in Broward County. The detailed plan is designed to reduce traffic congestion, improve roads and bridges, enhance traffic light timing, develop safe sidewalks and bike paths, expand mass transit, fully fund special needs/on-demand services, fully fund community shuttles, connect greenways, enhance school safety zones and fund a variety of city transportation projects.