Broward Commissioner Beam Furr bids farewell after 12 years in office

Broward County Commissioner Beam Furr is concluding 12 years of service on the County Commission, marking the end of a political career that has spanned more than two decades and focused on environmental protection, education, affordable housing and regional cooperation.

Furr, who represents District 6, attended his final regular County Commission meeting on Tuesday, November 10, as he prepares to leave office due to term limits.

First elected to the County Commission in 2014, Furr previously served 12 years on the Hollywood City Commission, bringing his total elected public service to approximately 24 years.

A two-time Broward County mayor, Furr served in the role from 2017 to 2018, when the community was shaken by the deadly mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. He was selected to serve as mayor again in 2025.

Throughout his tenure, Furr played a leading role in environmental protection and climate resilience, advocating for long-term solutions to Broward's waste management challenges, coastal erosion and flooding.

Among his major initiatives was helping establish the Solid Waste Authority of Broward County, a regional partnership aimed at coordinating waste disposal and recycling services. He also helped advance the county's 40-year Solid Waste Management and Recycling Master Plan.

His environmental work included serving as co-chair of Broward's Climate Change Task Force and supporting the Section 203 Broward Basins Flood Resiliency Study, which focuses on improving aging flood-control infrastructure.

Furr also championed the Port Everglades Sand Bypass Project, designed to help preserve Broward's beaches and strengthen coastal resilience.

Beyond environmental issues, he served on several regional organizations, including the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, the South Florida Regional Planning Council, CareerSource Broward and the Broward County Tourist Development Council.

Before entering county government, Furr represented Hollywood's District 2 on the City Commission, where he worked to improve neighborhoods through housing rehabilitation, sidewalk construction, economic development and programs supporting local businesses.

His efforts included advocating for contracting opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses and securing resources for lower-income communities.

Education and children's welfare have also been central to Furr's public service.

Before entering politics, he spent approximately 25 years working in Broward County Public Schools, teaching social studies before becoming a librarian at Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines.

His experience in education helped shape his advocacy for early childhood literacy and access to educational resources.

While serving in Hollywood, Furr established the Born to Read program, which placed a librarian and reading specialist at a pediatric clinic to support children from uninsured and underinsured families.

He later helped lead Broward Reads, a countywide literacy initiative, and served for nine years on the Children's Services Council of Broward County, supporting programs aimed at improving children's well-being.

Furr's final commission meeting also brought a proposal to recognize his public service by renaming the Hollywood Branch Library at Young Circle in his honor.

Commissioner Steve Geller introduced the proposal, which would begin the formal process of naming the library after Furr. The proposal has not yet received final approval.

During the meeting, Furr also supported the appointment of his successor, Commissioner-elect Caryl Shuham, to the Broward County Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials Processing Authority, allowing her to continue the county's work on regional waste management.

Reflecting on his years in public office, Furr said, “It has been a great ride.”

Shuham, a former Hollywood commissioner, is scheduled to take office on November 17.

District 6 includes Dania Beach, Hallandale Beach, Pembroke Park, West Park and portions of Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and Davie, along with the county's airport area.

Furr, who grew up in Hallandale Beach and lives in Hollywood, is married to Shelli Edwards. They have a daughter, Eliza.