By: Sharon Aron Baron
Tamarac’s Mayor Beth Talabisco gave her State of the City address at the March 13th City Commission meeting and discussed the achievements that she says provide a firm foundation for Tamarac’s continued health and sustainability.
Starting with the city’s financial rating, Talabisco said that the city had robust reserves and manageable carrying costs achieved through a combination of revenue enhancements and expenditure reductions. Saying it wasn’t without some pain, the hard work left the city in a good place.
The city currently has a double AA rating according to Fitch Ratings. “Our finance department is aiming for a “double A plus” rating within the next few years,” said Talabisco. “That’s important because it helps reduce the cost of borrowing, should it be necessary for future large-scale projects. “
Because the city took advantage of opportunities in the real estate market for a future downtown center for people to work and play called Tamarac Village, she says they anticipate a positive update on it in the next few weeks.
Talabisco discussed the news of the major Venezuelan pharmaceutical firm which chose Tamarac out of six cities in and out of Florida. Soon it will make their home in the city and bring 100 new jobs and a $50 million capital investment.
This new company will be purchasing a building in the Tamarac Commerce Park and bringing high skill/high wage jobs, which will have a ripple effect on local businesses and real estate.
During the City’s 50th anniversary year, Talabisco told residents they had many things to celebrate. Over a 50 year period, Tamarac has grown and matured, and what started as a haven for snowbirds and retirees, the city had become much more than that. Tamarac is now a diverse city of 60,000 residents whose median age is in the mid-forties and home to almost 2,000 businesses.
“The first 50 years for Tamarac has not been without its challenges. We’ll undoubtedly face a lot more in the future. But what’s most important is that we’ve proven we have the strength to overcome adversity, in whatever form it appears, and move forward. “