The voices of observant Jewish residents in North Lauderdale won’t be heard at a public hearing on proposed fire fees because the city scheduled it on Rosh Hashana. City officials didn’t consider the Jewish calendar when they set the hearing date of Sept. 13.

Instead, the city will accept letters from Jewish residents who wish to express their opinions about the increases. The scheduling gaffe was unintentional, said City Attorney Sam Goren, who is also Jewish. But rescheduling the meeting now would hurt the budget by delaying approval of the new fee, Goren said. The city is required to deliver its resolution to the Broward Property Appraiser’s Office by Sept. 15. ‘[Postponing the meeting] would put a major gap in the budget to support the fire department,’ he said.

The resolution for the fire fee differs from other city business because it only requires one-time approval by commissioners. Commissioners are required to twice approve the property tax rate, also on the agenda that afternoon, so Jews will have a second chance to appear for that issue Sept. 19.

(Source: Forida Sun Senital)