Miami-Dade Appropriations Committee Meeting Summary - May 14, 2025

The Miami-Dade Appropriations Committee met on May 14, 2025, at 11:00 AM under Chairwoman Raquel A. Regalado. The committee heard presentations on the FY 2025-2026 proposed county budget and constitutional office budgets, discussed a projected $387 million deficit (potentially rising to $473 million), debated ordinances on financial audits and CRA operations, and voted on numerous procurement and budget resolutions. Several items were deferred or amended.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kenneth Brown (12300 NW 17th Avenue) expressed concerns about homelessness and development in Overtown, Liberty City, and Brownsville, alleging communities are being pushed out for developers. He urged inclusion of local residents in future projects and noted unmet needs for homeless women and home repairs.

Presentations

• 1E1 – County Budget Presentation: Chief Administrative Officer Carla Denise Edwards outlined three major fiscal headwinds: new constitutional office costs, revenue threats (including potential $65 million shortfall from tax collector transition into a fee officer), and market volatility. The FY 2025-2026 projected revenue is $3.2 billion, with expenses of $3.6 billion, leaving a $387 million deficit ($473 million if all constitutional requests are approved). The administration is using the WISE 305 plan with hiring freezes and department mergers, but no millage increase is recommended.
• 1E2 – Constitutional Office Presentations:
  • Supervisor of Elections (Alina Garcia): Proposed operating budget of $52 million ($47.5 million from general fund), a slight decrease from the current year. Capital request of $4.1 million for voting tabulators and $1.7 million for voter check-in stations. Challenges include legislative impacts and poll worker recruitment.
  • Clerk of Court & Comptroller (Barbara Galvest): Budget growth of 4.5% (below the 6% benchmark), totaling $1.533 million increase from general fund. A revenue-neutral swap with IT funding model was noted. Banking contract expiring in September 2025 will require extension and new RFP. Office did not use mid-year reserve funds.

Discussion Items

• 1G1 – Annual Independent Audits Ordinance (Prime Sponsor: Cohen Higgins): Required annual independent financial audits for county boards handling county funds. An amendment was added to specify that audits are not at the discretion of the chair or mayor, and an exhibit will list boards already subject to audits and those newly covered. Funding sources were clarified as existing board budgets. Passed unanimously.
• 1G3 – West Perrine CRA Staffing Ordinance (Prime Sponsor: McGhee): Authorizes the CRA to hire staff, agents, and legal counsel. Commissioner Orbis inquired about qualifications for outside counsel; sponsor confirmed Florida Bar membership required. Passed unanimously.
• 2C – Overtown Trust Fund Grant (Prime Sponsor: Hardemon): $900,000 grant to Kamal Hospitality Group for Tanya Jo's Philly Cheesesteaks and Blossoms businesses and a food truck. Trust fund balance before allocation was $5.7 million. Commissioner Gonzalez asked about competitive process; sponsor noted no competitive process historically. Passed unanimously.
• 3A – Military Pay Continuation (Prime Sponsor: Gonzalez): Continues supplemental pay for county employees on active military duty retroactive to November 1, 2024, and makes the program indefinite. Annual cost about $293,000. Chairwoman criticized need for annual renewal. Passed unanimously.
• 3C – Naranja Lakes CRA Budget (Prime Sponsor: Cohen Higgins): FY 2024-2025 budget of $38,096,723. Commissioner Cohen Higgins voted no, objecting to expenditures. Passed 3-1.
• 3I – Section 8 Housing Voucher Services Extension (Prime Sponsor: Bastien): Extended contract by one year with up to $37,650,877 ($135,181,867 total). Nathan Cogan (Housing) noted a national shortfall of $3.7 billion for Section 8 funding and urged federal advocacy. Commissioner Cohen Higgins requested district-level data on voucher locations. Passed unanimously.
• 3K – eCitation Master Agreement (Prime Sponsor: Strategic Procurement): Renewal for ISD/Sheriff's Office with $433,373 additional ($683,373 total). Commissioner Cohen Higgins requested future items include budget line-item references. Passed unanimously.
• 3N – Grounds Maintenance Pool (Prime Sponsor: Strategic Procurement): Additional $9,851,175 ($48,387,445 total). Chairwoman Regalado raised concerns about lane closures during peak traffic for roadside trimming. Maria (DTPW) agreed to review contractor timing. Passed unanimously.
• 3Q – Mobility Sourcing Program (Prime Sponsor: Transportation & Public Works): Proposed $130 million over five years for non-competitive purchases of transit parts/services. Commissioner Orbis proposed a one-year pilot with $25-30 million due to OIG bribery concerns and lack of oversight. After discussion (actual FY23-24 spending $24.3 million average, annual projected $30 million), the item was amended to one-year $30 million limit with annual reporting and accountability from Chief Procurement Officer Alonzo Joseph. Chairwoman also raised Metro-mover replacement alternatives. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• 1G1 and 1G3 passed on public hearing, forwarded to full Board with favorable recommendations.
• 2A-2E (CRA appointments and designations) all forwarded unanimously.
• 3A-3R (multiple procurement and budget resolutions) mostly passed unanimously; single no vote on 3C.
• 1G2 (budget line-item explanation ordinance) deferred to June 11, 2025 at sponsor's request.
• 2B (payroll audit) deferred indefinitely after sponsor noted partnership with Clerk’s office for external audit.
• Budget presentations highlighted a serious deficit; constitutional offices were urged to maintain fiscal restraint. Staff will provide list of boards and audit status for 1G1 and include budget line-item cross-references in future procurement items.