Miami-Dade Policy Council Meeting: Portrait Unveiling, Permitting, and Charter Amendments – July 13, 2026

The Miami-Dade County Policy Council convened on July 13, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Commission Chambers. The meeting began with a special ceremony unveiling a portrait of former Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III, followed by a full agenda including a public hearing on a same-day permitting ordinance, multiple resolutions to place charter amendment questions on the November 3, 2026 ballot, and a presentation on the proposed FY 2026-27 budget from constitutional officers and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The meeting was extended by 45 minutes to accommodate the budget discussion.

Special Presentation: Chairman's Portrait Unveiling

• Chairman Anthony Rodriguez initiated a new tradition with the unveiling of the first chairman’s portrait, honoring former Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and multiple commissioners spoke, praising Gilbert’s leadership, advocacy, and service. The portrait will hang in the commission chambers. Gilbert thanked the board and noted that the same portrait also hangs in Miami Gardens City Hall.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chad Friedman (League of Cities) spoke on items 2C and 2D. He requested a delayed effective date for 2C (qualifying dates) to June 1, 2027, citing published dates for six cities. For 2D (boundary commission), he asked for clarification that cities can initiate annexations without petition requirements and that the county moratorium on annexations be lifted during the boundary commission’s three-year cycles.
• Orren Rosenthal (General Counsel for the Supervisor of Elections) commented on items 2A-2G. He thanked the Charter Review Task Force but warned that placing seven ballot questions could require an extra ballot page, costing the county approximately $1.5 million, and could cause voter frustration. He urged the board to consider consolidation.
• Ms. Burton (Builders Association of South Florida) spoke in support of the same-day permitting ordinance (item 1G1 substitute), stating it increases permitted work, ensures compliance with the Florida building code, and requested adequate staffing for the permitting department.

Public Hearing: Same-Day Permitting Ordinance (Item 1G1 Substitute)

• The original ordinance (file 261075) was withdrawn and replaced with a substitute (file 261261). Chairman Rodriguez introduced an amendment to align with state law: if a permit is not approved the same day due to a reviewing department delay (not the applicant’s fault), the building permit fee shall be reduced by 10% per business day. The amendment also clarified that an applicant may choose not to have a meeting and still receive same-day review. The building official confirmed that many permits already process within eight hours, and that the ordinance codifies existing practice while adding a penalty on the county. The substitute item passed unanimously after the amendment.

Charter Amendment Resolutions (Items 2A-2G)

• Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins sponsored six resolutions (2A-2F) to call a countywide special election on November 3, 2026, for voters to consider amendments to the Home Rule Charter. Items 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2F were forwarded to the full Board of County Commissioners (BCC) with a favorable recommendation as corrected, each by a 5-0 vote.
• Item 2E (changes due to reestablishment of elected constitutional offices) was amended for clarifying language regarding election timing. It passed as amended and was forwarded.
• Item 2G (sponsored by Chairman Rodriguez) would allow expanded advertising within parks, with revenues directed to the parks system. An amendment changed “exclusive use of the park where such advertising occurs” to “exclusive use of the parks system.” Commissioner Gilbert and Lopez supported the amendment, stating it allows system-wide allocation. The item passed as amended.
• Item 2C and 2D were discussed during public comment; no further amendments were made in committee. The League of Cities’ requests were noted but not adopted in committee.

Landfill Gas Conversion Project (Item 3A)

• The original recommendation from the county mayor was to reject all proposals for a landfill gas conversion project at the South Dade landfill and re-bid. Chairman Rodriguez moved to amend: direct the mayor to negotiate a non-competitive revenue-generating contract with the existing bidders via a bid waiver, or, if the bid waiver is not filed, to provide a report by September 1, 2026. The deputy mayor expressed support but noted potential legal issues with a lease; the county attorney clarified that a management or operating agreement could be used instead of a lease. The item passed as amended.

Discussion Item: FY 2026-27 Budget Presentations (Item 1F1)

• OMB Director Ray Baker presented the proposed budget, highlighting a 5.4% tax roll growth (countywide), a flat millage rate, and a $34.2 million savings over two years from switching to Aetna for health insurance. Challenges include rising healthcare costs, a transit shortfall (with proposed route reductions but no fare/fuel tax increases), and the need to rebuild the health trust fund. The budget assumes a 3% increase for county departments and uses carryover funds.
• Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia presented a $52 million proposed budget for FY 2026-27, up from $47 million, covering the 2026 general election. She highlighted 1.6 million registered voters and the need for equipment and temporary workers.
• Clerk of the Court and Comptroller Juan Fernandez Barquin requested a 20% increase ($7.4 million from the general fund), citing collective bargaining obligations, loss of revenue from other constitutional offices, and technology transfers. His CAO noted attrition and recruitment challenges.
• Property Appraiser Tomas Regalado submitted a flat budget, pending state approval.
• Sheriff Rosie Cordero Stutz requested a 4.96% increase ($46.1 million) to add 75 deputies and address a 19% pay gap with neighboring agencies. She noted that the administration’s recommended 6% increase covers only half of the collective bargaining commitments. Commissioners expressed support for public safety and noted the county’s low officer-to-resident ratio.
• Commissioner Cohen Higgins questioned the disconnect between department caps of 3% and constitutional officers’ requests of 20%. She also asked about property tax reform impacts; OMB responded that the budget does not account for future cuts but is “bending the cost curve.”
• Commissioner Gilbert delivered extended remarks, warning that ongoing budget pressures—from state mandates, property tax limitations, and rising costs—will eventually force service cuts or layoffs. He urged transparency about the trade-offs.
• Commissioners Lopez and Gonzalez echoed concerns, noting vetoes of county legislative requests and the need for competitive officer pay.

Key Outcomes

• Same-day permitting ordinance (1G1 substitute): Amended and passed unanimously; forwarded to BCC.
• Charter amendment resolutions (2A-2F): All forwarded to BCC with favorable recommendations as corrected, each 5-0.
• Park advertising charter amendment (2G): Amended to direct revenues to the parks system; passed and forwarded.
• Landfill gas conversion (3A): Amended to direct negotiation with existing bidders; passed.
• Approval of minutes (6A): Approved 5-0.
• Budget discussion (1F1): Informational; the mayor’s proposed budget will be released July 15, 2026, with maximum millage rate votes on July 21, and final budget hearings in September.