Melissa P. Dunn

COMMISSIONER MELISSA P. DUNN

Hello Lauderhill!

Iwanted to take a minute to tell you a little bit about the initiatives I’ve started to support our community.

As a business owner, I know the challenges many of our businesses are facing, especially during the coronavirus outbreak. I, like so many others, have had to pivot my business plans this past year to meet the demand of a changing economy. That’s why I’ve created the Lauderhill Shines program, to invest in our small businesses, build their capacity and highlight their shining spirit.

Lauderhill Shines is a free eight-week, self-paced program for operators to learn all things business. Think of it as an MBA in your pocket. Participants learn about business planning, access to capital, leadership, human resources, doing business with the City of Lauderhill and more. In addition to our value-packed content, participants receive access to me and other City decision makers during the live weekly Q&A and business coaching sessions. Since every participant is a business owner, everyone will also have the opportunity to expand their network.

In addition to the Lauderhill Shines program, the Lauderhill

Health and Prosperity Partnership is an initiative close to my heart. My intention is to unite community stakeholders as we collaborate and transform our quality of life. From seniors to single parents, young professionals to business professionals, I want us to come together to address the social determinants of health to create a more resilient Lauderhill. That means our impact will not only be wide reaching but it also will create the meaningful change our community deserves. The program will touch on every facet of life within our City, including access to healthcare, economic vitality, education, community life, public safety and the built environment.

I want to thank you for your belief in me and for electing me as your Commissioner. In my first one hundred days, I have worked tirelessly for you, our residents and business owners. Here are just a few of my accomplishments and current undertakings: • We enrolled 25 local businesses and nonprofits in the first cohort of the Lauderhill Shines program, connecting businesses with resources to generate more revenue, retain more employees and contract with the City. • I facilitated preservation of both Inverrary golf courses by proposing and passing a resolution to reaffirm their covenant. • I proposed and passed a resolution in support of House Bill 15.

The measure proposed in the Florida legislature would require state sales tax be collected from all sales, whether online or on main street. This creates sales tax competitiveness and closes the loophole for good. • To prevent transportation funding from being siphoned away from much-needed projects, I proposed and passed a resolution urging the immediate repeal of Senate Bill 7068, which passed in 2019 and created Multi-Use Corridors of Regional and Economic

Significance (M-CORES). The funding for M-CORES is channeled through the Florida Department of Transportation’s five-year work program, which will concentrate spending in some communities and delay projects in others across the state.

Lauderhill is the place I call home. It’s where I work and enjoy life to its fullest. I am proud to live in Lauderhill, and I am proud to represent you. I hope that you too are proud to call Lauderhill home! Together, we shine and will continue to shine.

Email: mdunn@lauderhill-fl.gov Contact Numbers Office: 954-730-3015 Fax: 954-730-3062