Miami-Dade County Commission Meeting: September 1, 2026

The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners met on September 1, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included special presentations, public hearings, and votes on numerous resolutions and ordinances, including major procurement reform, land use changes, and memorial street namings. The meeting lasted into the afternoon.

Special Presentations

• Hunger Action Month: The board proclaimed September 2026 as Hunger Action Month, recognizing Feeding South Florida's efforts. Feeding South Florida serves over 1.7 million individuals annually, including 553,000 households in Miami-Dade.
• Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Two organizations (Mystic Force Foundation and Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation) were recognized. The month was proclaimed in honor of both organizations.
• Civics Academy Graduates: The board recognized graduates of the Miami-Dade County Civics Academy.

Consent Calendar

• Approved numerous consent items, including resolutions for street co-designations (Celia Cruz Way, Manolo Reyes Boulevard) and various in-kind service authorizations and discretionary reserve allocations from commissioner districts. Items 3A1 and 3A2 were passed unanimously after co-sponsorship additions.
• Item 3A1 (Celia Cruz Way) and 3A2 (Manolo Reyes Boulevard) were adopted unanimously after all commissioners were added as co-sponsors.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Reasonable Opportunity: Several speakers addressed item 4B (Comprehensive Development Master Plan amendment for Lennar Homes), opposing development in wetlands. Speakers urged commissioners to protect the environment and existing single-family neighborhoods.
• Public Hearing on 5B (Southern Winds Hospital bonds): Multiple speakers criticized the county's investment policy (already passed earlier as item 11A2) and urged that investments be kept local, not in foreign governments. Some speakers were escorted out for disorderly conduct.
• Public Hearing on 5E-5H (Procurement reform): Many small business owners and representatives testified against the proposed changes, arguing that the task force lacked small business representation and that the reforms would harm local firms. They requested deferral for further study. Speakers included Dorothy Brown, Ralph Ferrer, Maria Luisa Castellanos, and others.
• Public Hearing on 5D (Surplus property for affordable housing): Sebastian Gill, a high school junior, spoke in support but asked for clear deadlines and accountability.
• Public Hearing on 5M (Plat waiver): Jose Pasos opposed the development of duplexes in a single-family neighborhood, noting construction had already begun.

Discussion Items

• Item 5X and 5Y (Deputy Sheriff Devin Jaramillo memorials): Unanimously approved to co-designate a street and name a football field. The sheriff and family spoke in support.
• Item 5C (Sergeant David Cajuso Way): Unanimously approved. Commissioner Gonzalez noted the deputy's impact on leading people to Christ.
• Procurement Reform (Items 5E-5H): Chairman Rodriguez introduced four ordinances implementing recommendations from the Special Task Force to Reduce Inefficiencies in Procurement (STRIP). After extensive debate, the board voted to remove certain recommendations (9, 10, 11 from 5F) and added a one-year reporting requirement. Amendments were made to retain the dropping of the lowest score in A&E procurements unless the score deviates more than 25% from the average. The items passed with varying votes: 5E (unanimous), 5F (10-2), 5G (8-4), 5H (9-3).
• Item 5M (Plat waiver for duplexes): Commissioner Milian Orbis moved to deny, but after discussion, the item was deferred to the mid-October meeting to allow work on legislation giving commissioners more jurisdiction over such plats.
• Item 7F (Kelly Tractor CDMP amendment): After heated debate, the item passed 9-3. Commissioner Regalado defended the amended application, citing wetland preservation through an environmental covenant and public ownership.
• Item 7E (Fire prevention ordinance): An amendment to retain record-keeping requirements for fireworks sales was added, despite legal concerns about preemption. The item passed unanimously as amended.
• Wetland Study Motion: Commissioner Steinberg introduced a motion to conduct a comprehensive wetland study, funded by proprietary funds, excluding general fund. The motion passed after friendly amendments to include stakeholder input and financing mechanisms.
• Item 11A3 (Vertical agriculture): Passed over objections from commissioners who requested their districts be excluded. Commissioner Steinberg and Regalado expressed concerns about compatibility and preemption. The resolution directs staff to analyze high-intensity closed agricultural systems.
• Item 11A4 (Sheriff's office land): Passed. Commissioner Regalado asked that the report include consideration of enterprise fund properties (e.g., solid waste) and appropriate reimbursement if used.

Key Outcomes

• Procurement Reform: Four ordinances passed (5E-5H) implementing STRIP recommendations, with amendments to protect small business programs and add a one-year reporting requirement. The changes aim to reduce procurement timelines from 349 days to 120-150 days.
• Street and Field Memorials: Approved for Deputy Sheriff Devin Jaramillo (5X, 5Y) and Sergeant David Cajuso (5C).
• Affordable Housing Surplus Property: Item 5D passed with an amendment removing one property (folio 107812070640) from the conveyance to Habitat for Humanity.
• Hospital Bonds: Item 5B (up to $155 million for Southern Winds Hospital) passed as part of the consent block.
• Fire Prevention Ordinance: 7E passed with record-keeping requirements for fireworks sales.
• Kelly Tractor CDMP Amendment: 7F passed 9-3, allowing development on the condition of extensive wetland preservation and public ownership.
• Wetland Study: Authorized a countywide study of wetland values, functions, and policy efficacy, funded from proprietary sources.
• Tax Collector Waiver: Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez waived his commission on the school board millage, saving residents over $13 million, as announced during reasonable opportunity.
• Appointments: Jessica Meyer Turner was appointed to the Commission on Human Rights. Aaron Caesar was appointed to the Biscayne Bay Shoreline Development Review Board.
• Legislative Requests: All commissioners' legislative requests eligible for extension were approved indefinitely.