Commissioner Steve Geller Appointed to Florida Association of Counties Committees

The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) has appointed Broward Commissioner Steve Geller to serve as Chair of the FAC Community & Urban Affairs Committee and Policy Leader on the FAC Finance, Tax & Administration Policy Committee. 

The Community & Urban Affairs Committee is tasked with developing and recommending an annual statewide legislative platform for counties based on the following areas: Affordable Housing; Growth Management; Development, Planning and Zoning; State and Regional Transportation and Strategic Intermodal System Issues. 

The Finance, Tax and Administration Committee oversees policies relating to the taxation and funding of local governments, administration of essential public services and accessible and accountable county government. 

Commissioner Geller is uniquely qualified to serve on these committees with experience as a County Commissioner (2016-Present), Florida State Senator (1998-2008) and Florida State Representative (1988-1998). Geller served as Chair on the State Community Affairs Committee and as Vice Chair and Ranking Minority Member on the Finance and Tax Committee during his 20 years in the State Legislature. His areas of expertise align with those of the Florida Association of Counties.

His most recent record of accomplishment includes:

• Creation of Film Lauderdale that serves as the Broward County Film Commission providing incentives to create high paying jobs, increase tourism and promote Broward County.
   
• Commission approval to allow affordable housing in commercially zoned areas located along transit-oriented corridors.

• Broward County Apprenticeship Program that mandates apprenticeship participation requirements on County construction contracts over $5 million, increasing opportunities for high paying skilled jobs.

• Advocate for innovative methods for water management and environmental planning as climate change has posed significant challenges such as flooding, sea level rise and extreme temperatures.

Committed to public service, Commissioner Geller currently serves as Chair of the Broward County Water Advisory Board and Chair of the South Florida Regional Planning Council. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Florida Association of Counties and the Broward County Cultural Council.

For more than 85 years, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) has represented the diverse interests of Florida's counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule - the concept that communities and their local leaders should make the decisions that impact their community. FAC is the only association representing Florida's 67 counties - bringing together the collective experience and knowledge of 377 county commissioners and supported by thousands of county professional staff. 

Steve Geller is Of Counsel to the firm and concentrates his practice in the areas of land use and zoning, administrative law, lobbying, and gaming, representing local, state, and national clients.

Mr. Geller previously served as a member of the Florida Senate from 1998 to 2008 and served as the Minority Leader during 2006-08. Previously he was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1988 through 1998. Mr Geller  has served as Mayor of Broward County, and currently is a Broward County Commissioner.  Geller serves as Chair of the South Florida Regional Planning Council, Chair of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee for Southeast Florida of the EDA of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Chair of the Broward County Water Advisory Board.