Fort Lauderdale has been waiting on the county to take the lead in coming up with money and a location for a tiny-home village for the homeless.
Mayor Dean Trantalis noted the city was still waiting despite a fast-approaching deadline: Starting Jan. 1, cities that fail to enforce a new statewide ban on camping in public places can be sued.
During a recent meeting, Commissioner Ben Sorensen urged the city to forge ahead with its own plan while at the same time working toward partnering with the county.
Mayor Dean Trantalis quickly agreed.
“We need to just move forward,” he said. “We can’t just wait for them.”
County commissioners are currently on winter break and won’t be back until Jan. 28.
On Nov. 12, they voted on an estimated $14 million proposal to build 100 tiny homes that may not be in place for two years. The measure failed 4-4.
County Commissioner Steve Geller, who cast one of the “no” votes, later said that the county may move forward with a two-pronged plan to buy a motel and build a village of tiny homes.