The Broward Governmental Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale isn't glamorous -- it's not trying to…read morebe. This is where the gears of local government turn, sometimes slowly, sometimes loudly, but always in motion. If you've ever needed a marriage license, property records, jury duty, or a commission meeting, odds are you've passed through these doors. The building itself went up in the early 1990s as part of a wave of downtown redevelopment when Fort Lauderdale was trying to shed its spring-break reputation and become a serious city with serious infrastructure. Before that, county offices were scattered across multiple locations. The Governmental Center centralized it all: the County Commission chambers, the Clerk of Courts, tax offices, records, planning -- basically the beating heart of Broward bureaucracy. Walk inside today and you'll see it's still the hub where policy meets paper. Need a deed recorded? This is the spot. Jury duty notice haunting you? Report here. Curious what the county commission is up to? Grab a seat upstairs and watch the debates unfold. It's not always pretty, but it's democracy in action. And there's something almost comforting about it. The architecture is utilitarian, concrete and glass, but the plaza outside ties it to the riverfront and the rest of the downtown core. It reminds you that Broward isn't just beaches and cruise ships -- it's a county of nearly two million people who need roads paved, schools funded, taxes collected, and yes, endless paperwork processed. So while nobody's writing sonnets about the Broward Governmental Center, it's one of those places that quietly keeps life here functioning. Not exciting, not flashy -- but necessary. And in a city that often sells the sizzle, there's something refreshing about a building that's all steak.

Since 1986 Ive owned property in Broward and paid my taxes on time but this year they did not want…read moremy money! I refinanced my mortgage and got first year the mortgage company required they pay the tax. Tax in order to get a discount was due November 30 and the Title company started sending full amount back in October. First the county said it was too early yo pay penalizing me for a returned check , then a check was sent fed ex on November 23 and as of December it was mot posted although a county rep signed to receive check on Nov 24. The analyst at the County said "check didn't get posted Until Dec 7 so i lost my $80+ discount! This was an unfair and unjust way to treat a loyal long term taxpayer!

Has anyone on a cruise ever taken the time to observe how the sheriffs office escorts a cruise line…read moreout of the port? I watched the sheriffs boat.l make sure that small boats and people are safely out-of-the-way. This sheriff used his PA to say "Thank you for your patience. Stay out of the way. Be safe. Be safe." He circled around and went forward to the next bunch of boats to make sure they were safely out of the way until our ship was out of port. The passengers on out ship go about their business...partying... having drinks. The crew tends to the passengers safely and well-being, and enjoyment while captain and sheriff partner to make sure that everyone gets out of port alive! I was really moved by this. I've cruised many times and I've never taken the time to notice, or thank those who make sure that we are oblivious to all that it takes for us to be on our way! I'm sure safety mostly goes unrecognized, but not today!

Ooh I hope they were able to get those naughty elementary school kids down by the walmart…read more Children aren't deserving of rights. Who cares?

Obtained my Global Entry card at the US Customs office at the entrance of the Fort Lauderdale Port…read moreEverglades. Took only five minutes with three questions and fingerprints. Card arrived at my residence in a few weeks for $120.00 and expires in five years. Upon exiting my cruise ship at port terminal 25, met with US Customs and Border Protection officers with a mandatory facial recognition scan instead of showing my passport. Only took five seconds and left the building without any problems. It was basically the same process coming back from an international trip at an airport but at the sea port instead.

12/5/2021 One star would be too much to reward that agency…read morewho hired rude and aggressive people to answer the phone. What a shame to be so fiasco represented! Won't recommend the place and won't call again.

Came here to do my Global Entry interview, which is completed in Suite 104 (entrance faces McIntosh…read moreRd.) I waited about 5 minutes to get checked in as the officer on duty was busy on the phone. After I handed over my passport and proof of residency (drivers license) I was called in to the back room for my "interview". The interview consisted of about 6 questions, pictures, and fingerprinting (seriously this Govt has wayyy too many copies of my fingerprints at this point). I was immediately told I was approved and was sent on my way. My appointment was at 2:15pm and I walked out of the building at 2:17pm. Very easy! PRO TIP.... my GPS seemed to indicate I should drive a little further east on Eller, and therefore have to enter the port (through security). The building is directly on the corner of Eller Dr. and McIntosh Rd., don't enter the port!

So it was time for me to jump onto the TSA precheck bandwagon, as I've been traveling a little…read moremore, and it seemed like it would be money well spent. After a little research I decided that it was definitely more economical to do Global Entry rather than TSA precheck. Global entry costs $15 more ($100 instead of $85) but you get the benefits of TSA precheck as well as an expedited customs experience if you're arriving from an international flight. I figured the extra benefit was worth the extra $15 especially knowing I have international trips coming up. I applied via the Global Online Enrollment Sytetem (GOES) back at the end of March. Within a week or so I was given the opportunity to make an appointment for my interview. There are plenty of options and I picked pretty much the earliest one available on June 1st, and was able to get a time that worked well with my lunch break as it was a Wednesday and I would have to work. For the interview you need to bring your passport and driver license. The day of my interview finally arrived and I drove down to the address given. As everyone else has mentioned do not enter the port, as your driving towards the port entry there's a big building on the right, that's where you need to be. Parking was pretty easy and I entered the building. At first I was pretty worried. There were quite a few people inside waiting, and they looked like they had been there awhile. I approached the window and said I was there for my global entry interview, at which point the man knew who I was and I was escorted to the back within about two minutes. I got some nasty looks from the people who were waiting....I think they may have been waiting to actually clear customs. The man who did my interview was friendly, asked a few pretty basic questions like where I lived and I why I was interested in global entry. From there I had my picture taken (you're allowed to smile for this one) and I was informed that I was approved, would receive an approval email, and then a global entry card in the mail with my traveler ID number within a week or so. I just got my card and the picture was pretty awful, but that's to be expected. Global entry status lasts for five years, but expires on your birthday. In my case it worked out that I got an extra month or so past the five years because my birthday is in July, so keep in mind your birthday month to get the best value (I assume going a month or two after your birthday may result in an expiration that's just shy of 5 years). My experience here far exceeded anything I would expect from the government (I was prepped for something DMV-esque) and I'm grateful it went so smoothly as my lunch break is only an hour. I have yet to use the global entry, but I can say going through the process at this office is a breeze.

The structure housing the present Fort Lauderdale Police…read moreDepartment looks like a creation out of the 50's. It's obviously old tired and had it. The place is really falling apart. However, there is a bright light on the horizon as a brand-new Fort Lauderdale Police Department is under construction right next door. I do hope however that with the new one, they add some friendly eye-appealing décor instead of the present crossed machine gun, shotgun, and ugly sword. It looks too menacing. I came to Fort Lauderdale Police Department to get a stolen golf cart report. I must say the staff was super cooperative, professional, helpful, and polite. Even to the point of me going 5 Yelp Stars for them.

If 0 stars was an option, I would choose that in a heartbeat. 3 weeks ago from now, I lost my…read moreLicense, social security and my Debit card on a PUBLIC transportation service (The city bus). I filed a ''Police report'' for a Lost AND stolen License. I went to the clerk office in cypress creek to receive my report. When I received the report, it only said it was Lost and NOT stolen. it wasn't an actual report. I'd hope they put Identify theft on my social. What an awful city to live in.

Recently had to come here to help give my civic duty and be in jury duty. From the beginning to the…read moreend, everything was very smooth and more or less, easy to understand. Security was very good but not too friendly while trying to get so many people through bag check and to where they need to be. The jury waiting area is a large room with ample enough seating so no one is sitting on top of each other. I do wish that the seats were a little more comfortable, especially since I was sitting there for hours on end. There is a cute little food area that offers a different hot meal each day and then packaged sandwiches and wraps. The turkey wrap I had the day I was there was very flavorful and more than enough because I was full until I was able to leave later that evening at almost 6PM. The courthouse is nice and clean as well as more than enough bathrooms around so it wasn't hard to find one while I was there the entire day.

Everyone was very cordial and amicable. I went in for duty. Court areas are clean and well keptread more

I have used the service in the past and they were OK.. however, my most recent experience with…read morethem was just awful. Took months, cost way too much. They canceled it without even telling me. Their website and paperwork are confusing and persnickety. It would've just been easier to go to the courthouse and get the documents myself.

I wish I had read these reviews before I ordered. It has been 4 months so far and now they say it…read morewill take another month to process, but who knows how long it will take after "processing time" as they will still need to get my birth certificate copy and get it to me. So I am looking at 1/2 a year at least IF I AM LUCKY. By then I will likely be moved so I will have to give them a change of address WHICH THEY WILL CHARGE ME EXTRA FOR. Who know whether I will ever get birth certificate. Ever.

The Broward County Cultural Division is located on the sixth floor of the Broward County Main…read moreLibrary in Ft. Lauderdale. This department has 18 staff members and an annual operating budget of 9 million dollars along with a budget of 5 to 7 million dollars to create public art. The purpose of the county's cultural arts division is to enrich the cultural arts of the community by developing art with grants, providing public art, education, and offering seminars and workshops. A full list of events can be found on their website. In July of this year Phillip Dunlap from Missouri was named the new director of the Cultural Division. He is looking forward to expanding Broward County's support of cultural diversity and the arts. I recently learned more about the Cultural Division when I entered a contest sponsored by them called Searching for Giants. The Cultural Division has partnered with the Broward County Board of Commissioners, Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Entercom for the event. Giant inflatable art works are placed in various locations around Broward County. You can take a picture of them and post it to Instagram for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Riptide Music Festival in November. There is still a couple of weekends left to participate. I didn't know very much about the Cultural Division prior to winning the contest. Now that I know more I really wanted to give them a shout out for the great work they are doing on behalf of the arts in Broward County.

My delivery guy John is the best!!! Everyone else here is always super nice and helpful. Thank you…read moreall for everything.

Interesting that it cost 50% more to mail an overseas package from this location than other POs or…read morewhat i knew the rate to be from weighing it at home! When i told attendant that the rate she gave me seemed high and i asked what the weight was, she was unable to tell me! curiouser and curiouser!