Broward Commissioner Marty Kiar Selected to Serve as Mayor

Broward County Board of County Commissioners

BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward County Commissioners today choose Vice Mayor/Commissioner Marty Kiar to serve as Mayor and Commissioner Barbara Sharief to serve as Vice Mayor. "I'm am declaring this the 'Year of Good News' in Broward County," said Mayor Kiar. "During this year I hope that each Commissioner will choose to highlight those who are doing good things in Broward. We will also showcase the good services of Broward County." Mayor Kiar was born in Pembroke Pines and is a lifelong resident of Broward County. In 2006, Kiar was elected to serve in the Florida House of Representatives. He was re-elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2008 and in 2010. In 2012, Kiar was elected to the Broward County Commission and served as Vice Mayor this past year. Commissioners selected Barbara Sharief to serve as Vice Mayor. Sharief served as Broward Mayor in 2014 and was the first African American female to serve as Mayor. She also served Vice Mayor in 2013. Sharief was born in South Florida and raised in Broward County. In the 2015 State of the County Address outgoing Mayor Tim Ryan said that Broward County is "running on all cylinders." He noted that Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport and Broward parks and libraries were operating effectively, providing residents and visitors with great service and programs. Major accomplishments this year included the 20th Anniversary of Broward County's Human Rights Ordinance, "which remains a model for the state," said Ryan. Expansion of the Domestic Partnership Ordinance, passage of an expanded Living Wage Ordinance, a new Broward Animal Care Shelter and progress toward becoming a "no-kill" shelter were among the highlights of the Commission. "There are also two key accomplishments we made this year. Upgrading our traffic signalization system is one and expanding our libraries back to six days a week," said Ryan. Broward County also celebrated its 100th birthday this year with a series of Centennial community celebrations. "I'm grateful for the trust and respect that you have given me in this past year," Ryan told his fellow Commissioners. "I look forward to the year ahead under our new Mayor." The Broward County Charter stipulates that Commissioners, elected from single member districts, vote annually in November for the position of Mayor and Vice Mayor.