Broward Selects New Mayor, Vice Mayor

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Broward County has a new mayor and vice mayor.

On Tuesday's the city's commission chose Vice Mayor/Commissioner Marty Kiar to take over the Mayor's post and selected Commissioner Barbara Sharief to serve as Vice Mayor.

"I am declaring this the 'Year of Good News' in Broward County," said 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."

Born in Pembroke Pines, Kiar is a lifelong resident of Broward County. In 2006, Kiar was elected to serve in the Florida House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 2008 and in 2010.

In 2012, Kiar was elected to the Broward County Commission and served as Vice Mayor this past year.

Sharief served as the county's Mayor in 2014 and was the first African-American female to do so. She also served Vice Mayor in 2013. Sharief was born in South Florida and raised in Broward County.

Broward County 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," outgoing Mayor Tim 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.