Coral Springs county commissioner proposes changing Broward County name to Lauderdale County but leaders urge caution
Coral Springs, Florida – A proposal to rename Broward County has sparked debate among political leaders, business groups, and residents across South Florida, highlighting a tension between economic branding and public priorities. Broward County Commissioner Michael Udine, who represents portions of Coral Springs, is one of several figures pushing for the county to adopt a new name: Lauderdale County.
Udine and supporters argue that Broward County’s name, unchanged for more than a century, is holding the region back from economic growth and global recognition. Speaking Thursday during a county commission meeting, Udine said the current name limits the county’s ability to attract major corporations and boost tourism. A rebranded county, proponents contend, would modernize its image and align it with the “Lauderdale” brand, which is already familiar worldwide through tourism and marketing efforts.
Behind the scenes, an influential business coalition has been quietly building support for the change. Some members have even considered rebranding their own organizations to reflect the proposed new name. As the discussion moves into public view, state and local governments are preparing proposals that could allow voters to decide the matter in a referendum next year.
Supporters stress that the proposal is focused on economic competitiveness rather than simple symbolism. “We need to ensure Broward stands alongside, not behind, our high-profile neighbors in South Florida’s global marketplace,” one advocate said.
Despite these arguments, the proposal has met a cautious and mixed reception among county leaders. During the Thursday commission meeting, Broward County Commissioners rejected the idea, signaling that more study and debate would be necessary before any action could be taken. Similarly, Broward County’s legislative delegation voted to table the concept at a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting, citing the need to prioritize more pressing issues, such as housing affordability, before considering a county name change.
If approved by voters, supporters say the renaming would be implemented gradually over nearly a decade, minimizing immediate disruption and costs. State Representative Chip LaMarca, whose district includes northern coastal Broward, estimated that the transition could cost around $10 million.
He explained that many changes, such as replacing “Broward County” with “Lauderdale County” on Broward Sheriff’s Office patrol cars, would occur gradually as vehicles in the fleet are retired and replaced. Other updates, including paper letterheads, public building signage, and school system buses, would similarly roll out over time. “It’s a cost over time, but to be very clear, it’s not go out tomorrow morning and make this change,” LaMarca said. “There’s two years written into the bill, but actual implementation could be up to seven years, which is what happened in Miami-Dade County [when the county hyphenated its name in 1997].”
LaMarca also emphasized that the proposed name reflects a shared regional identity. “We have Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderdale Hill, North Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale,” he said. “The name Lauderdale is synonymous with the region.”
For now, the conversation remains largely theoretical, with more study, public debate, and voter input needed before any official steps can be taken. Supporters are optimistic that, if carefully managed, the transition could enhance the county’s profile and unify its identity. Opponents caution that a name change, while potentially beneficial for branding, should not overshadow pressing issues such as affordable housing, infrastructure, and public safety.
As discussions continue, residents, business leaders, and local officials will have a chance to weigh in on one of the most ambitious proposals to reshape Broward County in over a century, balancing heritage with economic strategy.
