Name: Heather Moraitis

Campaign website: heathermoraitis.com

Date and place of birth: 9/14/71 , Fort Lauderdale, FL Holy Cross Hospital

Is Fort Lauderdale generally on the right track or the wrong track, and why or why not?
Fort Lauderdale is on the right track. Our economy is strong with a thriving marine industry, real estate, and tourism. We have built a livable and walkable downtown attractive to young professionals with ample new housing options. Attracting a talented younger workforce to our city is essential to our economy. Transportation solutions continue to evolve with the addition of Brightline and future mobility projects throughout the region.

List in order of importance the three most important issues in the city and briefly explain what you would do about each.
Public Safety: I will continue to vote to fully fund police and fire. Since the state has banned license plate readers on state roads, I will work with neighborhoods to install more license plate readers on city roads that directly connect to the police. I will make sure our first responders have the technology and the training needed to keep us safe. The new police headquarters and new fire stations are an integral component to our public safety.

Affordability: If we can save taxpayers money, we should. The taxable value of property in our city increases every year, which generates more revenue for the city budget. Instead of allowing the city budget to grow automatically, we need to find savings in our billion-dollar budget and return money to taxpayers through tax reductions. I support increasing the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000, known as Amendment 3, on the Nov 3 ballot. Police and Fire will continue to get funded. We can find savings in other areas of our billion-dollar budget.

Homelessness: We need more housing options for the homeless. I voted on the 79 unit housing facility, Seven on Seventh, for housing in partnership with Broward Partnership for homeless. It was a success and now the county is following this model in Pompano Beach for a similar housing project. We need more projects like this in our county. The county has a 40 million dollar budget for the homeless and we spend about 1 million dollars. Partnering with the county, developers, and nonprofits, to build more homeless housing with wrap around services is the solution. We also need to work with the county to open a portion of the overflow jail facility, known as the stockade, to inmates released from jail who need temporary housing. Releasing inmates who have served their time to a parking lot in our city is inhumane and unsafe.  The stockade has 700 beds, showers and kitchens and is a better temporary housing solution than sleeping in our parking lots.

Do you support or oppose Amendment 3, and why?
I support increasing the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000, known as Amendment 3, on the Nov 3 ballot. If we can save taxpayers money, we should. The taxable value in our city increases every year, which generates more revenue for the city budget. Instead of allowing the city budget to grow automatically, we need to find savings in our billion-dollar budget and return money to taxpayers through tax reductions.  Police and Fire will continue to get funded. We can find savings in other areas of our billion dollar budget.

If you are elected and Amendment 3 passes, you will have to reduce services or raise other fees. Can you cite a specific city program or service that is wasteful or unnecessary? 
I will ask for an outside operational audit for the city of Fort Lauderdale to identify areas to save taxpayer money and reduce the size of our government.

How would you assess the city’s ability to manage growth, development and related issues such as traffic, noise, pollution and demands on city infrastructure?
The city’s master plan calling for density downtown around transportation hubs has been successful. The state Live Local law will allow for density in the wrong areas of the city and put a strain on our roads and infrastructure.  We need the state to remove the development preemption and vacation rental preemption so that we can preserve the character of our neighborhoods and keep community input in future development.

What single factor most distinguishes you from your opponent and why? 
As a homeowner and previous City Commissioner for our district, I know the issues facing the neighborhoods in district 1: expensive and irregular water bills, too many vacation rentals, homelessness, and lack of park space.  I know the unique needs in the Galt Ocean Mile Condominium community, and I have worked with the residents on streetscape improvements, beach renourishment, and bringing back county transportation options. I know the issues important to the Uptown Business District surrounding the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, which is a great economic engine for our city. I have also worked on a plan to allow for more housing in this area, to attract a workforce for the numerous businesses in this area.

Fort Lauderdale placed 10 separate questions on the ballot dealing with charter changes. If you oppose any of the proposed changes, please explain. 
I oppose amendment 9 & 10. I do not want the police chief and fire chief under the direct authority of the elected officials. Public safety is the most important function of a city government, and the manager needs to manage these critical departments.

The next District 1 commissioner will play an important role in selecting a permanent city manager. How should the next search differ from the last one, to avoid a repeat of the quick departure of Rickelle Williams?
I recommended appointing Chris Lagerbloom, who had served as Assistant City Manager, to replace Lee Feldman as City Manager.  I will look at talent within the city before conducting a national search.

In this District 1 race, one candidate is a homeowner and one candidate is a renter. How is home ownership, or lack of it, a relevant issue in this election?
Owning a home helps me understand the challenges residents face. High water bills and short-term vacation rentals are concerns for homeowners in district 1. Homeowners want to protect their home and need to work closely with the city to protect this investment. I also support long term rentals in our city to improve affordability and voted on projects to provide more rental options for residents.

List in reverse chronological order colleges or universities attended with years of attendance and degrees.
University of Florida:1993-1994: Masters in Education

University of Florida: 1990-1993, Bachelors of Education

List in reverse chronological order your work history for the past 15 years.
AP Government and Politics teacher, Westminster Academy

Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner

Director of Development, Westminster Academy

Teacher, Westminster Academy

Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details of the case and disposition.
No

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, including an adjudication of guilt withheld? If so, provide charges, dates and terms of sentence.
No

Why should voters elect you instead of your opponent(s)? 
As a former City Commissioner, I worked well with others to help our residents and as a homeowner I know the issues facing District 1.  I have always worked well with commissioners, residents, staff, businesses, and the nonprofit community to improve our great city. I avoid attacking my fellow commissioners and focus on projects that make Fort Lauderdale a better place for everyone to live and work.  I am passionate about parks and will continue to fight for park land and park upgrades. I have a proven history of getting the job done. If elected again, I will continue to work full time as a commissioner and always be available to my constituents.