Small Town Lauderale-by-the-Sea Sees Big Growth

seashore during golden hour

Robert Baldwin has experience as the city manager of numerous communities throughout Florida, including Dania Beach. In addition to his work as a city manager, Robert “Bob” Baldwin has served as the town manager of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. During his time in this position, the town experienced the biggest percentage growth in population in Broward County.

In 2009, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea edged out municipalities such as Pembroke Pines and Weston to become the fastest-growing town in Broward County. The year-to-year increase surpassed 33 percent as the small town’s population soared from just under 3,000 to over 4,000. The population boom resulted in the town’s tax base expanding from approximately $272 million to $416 million.

A leading cause for this population surge involved the town annexing a portion of oceanfront properties for tax-rich residents. The small town, which occupies less than a square mile of land on either side of the Intracoastal Waterway off Commercial Boulevard, is also praised for its quaint atmosphere. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea does not feature many high-rises, with most of the town’s buildings being single-family homes or family businesses.

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Achieves Strategic Population Increase

An experienced community leader, Robert Baldwin most recently served as city manager of Dania Beach, Florida, where he oversaw successful efforts to revitalize the municipality and increase citizen engagement. Previously, Robert “Bob” Baldwin served as city manager of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

Located between Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale, the small seaside town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea was often considered too small to sustain itself as an independent municipality. However, in 2010, the city annexed a stretch of tax-rich oceanfront condominiums and achieved the biggest percentage leap in population of any town in Broward County. The strategic annexation caused the population to increase from 2,995 to more than 4,000 overnight. Additionally, the town’s tax base nearly doubled, reaching $416 million.

The annexation involved the area known as South Beach, home to several luxury condo complexes with a taxable value of $144 million, as well as gated communities of single-family homes. With fewer than 5,000 residents, the area’s homeowners contributed more in taxes than they used in services.

Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Brought to a Sound Fiscal Footing

Robert (Bob) Baldwin has a 30-year career as a city manager in various Florida communities, most recently Dania Beach. Robert Baldwin was also the city manager of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea on the southern Atlantic coast, where he brought the town’s finances into accordance with general accounting principles.

Prior to his arrival in 1995, the town’s budget was disorganized. The town’s cash register was a cigar box and budgets were presented on basic spreadsheets, unlike the detailed proposals of most municipalities. The existing budget was some $40,000 in the red, and did not include raises or the settlement from a lawsuit.

To fix the problem, the town hired a part-time accountant and purchased accounting software. The well-respected firm of Rachlin Cohen & Holtz was brought in for an audit. This review enabled the town commissioners to properly assess the budget and anticipate expenses, though the process did not immediately solve the deficits.

The town was commended for adhering to standard governmental accounting practices, earning an achievement award for its treasurer from the Government Finance Officers Association.