Miami-Dade Policy Council Meeting – March 9, 2026

Note: The agenda listed a start time of 9:00 AM, but the user-provided timestamp indicates the meeting occurred at 14:15 UTC (9:15 AM ET). The discrepancy is noted.

The Miami-Dade Policy Council convened on March 9, 2026, at the Commission Chambers. The meeting began with an invocation led by Chief Morales, a moment of silence for seven U.S. service members lost in Operation Epic Fury, and a roll call establishing a quorum with five members present. Following a brief public comment period with no speakers, the council proceeded to consider two substantive agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the Clerk’s Summary of Minutes (Item 6A): The board unanimously approved the minutes from the February 2, 2026, Policy Council meeting (5–0).

Discussion Items

• Item 2A – Tax Collector Notice Reduction Resolution (Prime Sponsor: Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis): A resolution instructing the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector not to mail tax notices and not to extend the tax roll for parcels where the taxes due are $30.00 or less. Commissioner Milian Orbis moved to add a section stating the policy remains in effect unless modified or rescinded by the board; the amendment was adopted. Tax Collector Daddy Fernandes testified in support, noting the office currently sends over 120,000 bills that collectively collect only about $60,000, asserting the measure delivers “common sense” to taxpayers and reduces administrative burdens. Commissioner Cohen Higgins expressed support for the cost-saving and resident relief aspects. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Item 1G1 – MIA Consumer Experience Advisory Board Ordinance (Prime Sponsor: Chairman Anthony Rodriguez): A public hearing on an ordinance creating the Care MIA Advisory Board to advise on consumer experience and operations at Miami International Airport. No public speakers came forward. Discussion centered on board composition:
  • Commissioner Marleine Bastien raised the need for staggered terms; the county attorney clarified that the county code requires staggered initial terms, not merely a standard practice.
  • Vice Chairwoman Bastien requested that at least one board member be appointed by the full County Commission; after debate, the council agreed to add a single member appointed by ballot of the commission, while Chairman Rodriguez retained the ability to appoint two members directly.
  • Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez suggested including a representative from the Miami Economic Club alongside the Beacon Council appointee; the chairman requested time to research the club before making changes.
  • Commissioner Cohen Higgins offered a friendly amendment to explicitly include oversight of the concessionaire extension program in the board’s powers; Chairman Rodriguez accepted the amendment. The ordinance, as amended, passed unanimously (5–0).

Key Outcomes

• Item 2A passed unanimously with the added sunset provision.
• Item 1G1 passed unanimously with amendments: (1) one commission-balloted member added, (2) explicit reference to the concessionaire program included in the board’s duties. The board is directed to convene within 21 days of passage.
• Clerk’s minutes approved.
• Adjournment followed a brief closing from Chairman Rodriguez, who commended airport staff and noted ongoing improvements to janitorial services at MIA. Commissioner Bastien recognized International Women’s Day (March 8) with the theme “Give to Gain.”
• All votes were unanimous with no opposition recorded.