Miami-Dade Appropriations Committee Meeting – June 11, 2025

The Miami-Dade Appropriations Committee met on June 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM in Commission Chambers. The committee considered several ordinances, resolutions, and a public hearing, and forwarded most items to the full Board of County Commissioners (BCC) with favorable recommendations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Truly Burton, Executive Vice President of the Builders Association of South Florida, expressed support for item 3P (fee increases for regulatory activities). She noted that the department has improved outreach, and while the proposed fee increases average about 12.5%, the construction industry faces volatility from tariff-driven price increases (e.g., steel up 50%, concrete up 18%). She called for continued streamlining and process improvements.
• Jerry Proctor, attorney representing the owner of a property adjacent to a county-owned parcel, spoke in support of item 3F (sale of a 25-foot surplus lot in North Miami Beach). He stated the client is the logical purchaser and agreed with staff recommendations.

Discussion Items

• Item 1G1 – Annexation Request of the City of Florida City: The committee held a public hearing on a resolution to direct preparation of an ordinance and interlocal agreement for annexation. Commissioner Steinberg noted that of 88 registered voters, only 31 survey responses were returned: 17 opposed and 14 in favor. City Planner Henry Either stated the low response rate indicated no widespread opposition and that the city has not received negative comments. Commissioner McGhee, the prime sponsor, expressed support. The item passed unanimously.
• Item 2E – Expansion of the Naranja Lakes Community Redevelopment Area: Commissioner McGhee explained the expansion area (about 260 acres) includes predominantly vacant land and a park. The committee approved the resolution after his clarification.
• Item 3P – Fee Increases for Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER): Lourdes Gomez, Director of RER, presented the proposed fee increases, the first in 7 to 17 years, driven by changes in state law. She noted that even with increases, Miami-Dade remains at or below peer jurisdictions. She highlighted permit exemptions for homeowners and free concierge services for homeowners. Commissioner Gonzalez expressed reluctance to increase homeowner fees, suggesting shifting costs to commercial developers. Commissioner Cohen Higgins proposed forwarding the item without recommendation. The committee voted 4-0 to forward item 3P and its supplement to the BCC without a recommendation.

Key Outcomes

• Items 2A and 2B (ordinances authorizing CRA staff employment for NW 79th Street and NW 7th Avenue Corridors) were adopted on first reading and forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation (4-0).
• Item 1G1 (Florida City annexation) was approved after public hearing (4-0).
• Item 2E (Naranja Lakes CRA expansion) was approved (4-0).
• Item 3P (RER fee increases) was forwarded to BCC without a recommendation (4-0).
• All other items on the agenda (including those in sections 2, 3, and the public hearing) were approved by a single motion and forwarded to BCC with favorable recommendations, except item 3P. Key items include: conveyance of surplus properties for affordable housing (2C), bond issuance for affordable housing (2D), various budget approvals for CRAs (3B, 3C), grant approvals (3D, 3E), property sale (3F), contract awards (3H, 3K, 3M, 3N, 3O), and procurement renewals (3I, 3J, 3L, 3Q).