A voter education guide
How Dania Beachworks.
City government touches many parts of daily life, but it does not control everything. This is a straightforward guide to who makes decisions, what the City Commission can act on, and how residents can participate.
Campaign-created educational guide · Sources reviewed August 23, 2026
The basic structure
Five commissioners. One citywide electorate.
Dania Beach uses a commission-manager form of government. Five commissioners are elected at large, meaning each represents the entire city rather than one geographic district.
Official City overview ↗City Commission
Sets policy and priorities.
- Adopts ordinances and resolutions
- Approves the budget, municipal taxes, and fees
- Approves major spending and contracts
- Appoints and oversees the city manager
City Manager
Runs daily administration.
- Implements Commission policy
- Prepares a recommended budget
- Oversees City staff and operations
- Administers services and approved projects
What the City can tackle
Local authority. Real responsibilities.
Florida gives municipalities broad authority over local matters, unless the Constitution, state law, or an applicable county charter prohibits or preempts the action.
Florida municipal home-rule law ↗Budget & public dollars
Adopt the City budget, set the municipal tax rate and fees, approve major spending and contracts, and establish capital priorities.
Growth & development
Set local land-use policy and decide many rezonings, site plans, plats, and development matters under the City code.
Infrastructure
Plan and fund City streets, sidewalks, stormwater, drainage, facilities, and other infrastructure under City jurisdiction.
Local services
Oversee City utilities and services, parks and recreation, sanitation, code compliance, parking, and neighborhood programs.
Public safety agreements
Approve and fund the agreements through which the Broward Sheriff’s Office currently provides police and fire-rescue services.
Community priorities
Create lawful local programs, appoint advisory boards, set service priorities, and advocate for residents with other governments.
Service descriptions are based on official Dania Beach information. View City departments ↗ View City services ↗
Who handles what?
Local problems can cross government lines.
City Hall can lead on some issues, partner or advocate on others, and must stay within authority assigned by law. Responsibility can also vary by location, service area, contract, or roadway.
| Issue | Who leads | The City’s role |
|---|---|---|
| Development and zoning | Dania Beach | The City sets local land-use rules and decides many development applications. County and state requirements can also apply. |
| Affordability and housing | Shared responsibility | The City can use zoning, partnerships, incentives, public land, and local funding. It does not independently control insurance, interest rates, or the wider housing market. |
| Police and fire rescue | City agreements with BSO | The City approves service agreements and funding and can set expectations. BSO manages day-to-day law-enforcement and fire-rescue operations. |
| Public schools | Broward County School Board | The City can partner and advocate, but the City Commission does not operate Broward public schools or set curriculum and staffing policy. |
| Roads, traffic and transit | City, County or State—depending on the road | The City can improve streets it controls and coordinate locally. Broward County and Florida control other roads and regional transportation systems. |
| State and federal policy | Florida or the federal government | The City may advocate and partner, but it cannot override state or federal law or regulate a subject that state law has preempted. |
One example
How a major development proposal can move.
The exact path depends on the application type and scale; not every proposal goes through every board or reaches the Commission.
- 01
Community outreach
Applicants may need to meet with nearby residents before a public-hearing application is scheduled.
- 02
Technical review
City staff and the Development Review Committee examine plans against applicable requirements.
- 03
Advisory review
The Planning and Zoning Board reviews or decides specified applications when the code requires it.
- 04
Public hearing & vote
The City Commission considers applications that require its approval and hears public input under the applicable process.
- 05
Permits & implementation
Approved projects move into permitting, construction, inspections, and any required conditions or improvements.
Make your voice heard
Public participation is part of the process.
Residents can follow decisions before the vote, speak under the rules for a meeting, serve on advisory boards, and request public information.
Follow Commission business
Review agendas and minutes, watch meeting video, and find public-comment information.
View agendas & meetings ↗Join an advisory board
Apply to serve on a board covering planning, housing, education, parks, sustainability, and more.
Explore advisory boards ↗Track open government
Find public records, financial transparency documents, notices, strategic plans, and other City information.
Visit open government ↗Understand City services
See which departments and providers handle the services residents use throughout Dania Beach.
Browse City services ↗Accountability starts with understanding
Know the job. Follow the decisions. Expect results.
See how Kristof would apply these responsibilities to responsible growth, transparent government, and local opportunity.
See Kristof’s priorities