Miami-Dade County Commission Adopts FY 2024-25 Budget and Millage Rates - September 19, 2024
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Miami-Dade County Commission Adopts FY 2024-25 Budget and Millage Rates
The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners held its second and final budget hearing on September 19, 2024, to adopt the fiscal year 2024-25 budget, set millage (property tax) rates, and approve associated fees and charges. The hearing included a public comment period where numerous residents and organization representatives spoke on a range of issues, primarily urging full restoration of arts funding, support for social services, and opposition to investments in Israeli bonds. The board ultimately adopted all eight ordinances, several by unanimous vote, with some amendments and bifurcated votes.
Consent Calendar
- No formal consent calendar was used; all items were considered individually.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Arts and Culture Funding: Many speakers, including representatives from Arts & Business Council of Miami, City Theatre, Guitars Over Guns, Miami Light Project, New World Symphony, and individual artists, thanked the Mayor for restoring $1.5 million but strongly urged the board to restore the full $2.5 million (or $2.479 million). They argued that arts funding generates significant economic returns and supports thousands of jobs. Some noted that Florida had eliminated all state arts funding, making county support critical.
- Social Services and Housing: Speakers from Regis House requested $250,000 to bridge a funding gap for mental health and social services, noting they served 208 clients versus the funded 94. Others spoke in support of the eviction diversion program and asked for full funding, citing that it prevented evictions in 98% of cases.
- Israel Bonds: Several speakers, including members of the public and representatives from organizations, urged the county to stop investing in Israeli bonds, citing alleged genocide in Gaza and arguing that the funds should be redirected to local needs. One speaker specifically referenced a $20 million tranche maturing on April 1, 2025.
- Environmental and Climate Issues: Speakers requested increased funding for the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) program, tree canopy expansion, extreme heat response, and stormwater management. One speaker noted that Miami-Dade was on day 55 of extreme heat advisories.
- Transit and Infrastructure: Multiple speakers, including from Transit Alliance Miami, requested $1 million to restore the Mobility Easy Card program, which provides reduced fares for low-income residents. Others voiced concerns about bus stop conditions, the cancellation of the 211 circulator in Overtown, and the need for better public transit.
- Other Requests: Speakers also advocated for funding for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, wildlife sanctuaries, senior services, women veterans' organizations, and community-based public safety programs. Some speakers expressed opposition to tax increases and the proposed incinerator.
Discussion Items
- Budget Presentation and Mayor's Remarks: Mayor Daniella Levine Cava presented the proposed budget, highlighting that it was balanced, responsible, and maintained services despite challenges. She noted the reprogramming of funds to support arts ($1.5 million), eviction diversion (+$1 million), and Save Our Seniors.
- Public Hearing Procedures: Chairman Gilbert encouraged public speakers to be concise and reminded them of decorum rules. He also asked for a show of hands from those whose requests were already satisfied.
- Fire Rescue Funding: Commissioner McGee raised concerns about shifting $18.5 million in regional air rescue operating costs to the fire rescue taxing district, which could drain reserves within three years. The mayor and fire chief indicated the budget was stable for three years but agreed to review the issue at mid-year.
- Police Overtime and Cadet Academies: Senator Garcia questioned the reduction in police cadet academy classes and its correlation to overtime costs. The administration explained that overtime is budgeted separately and that attrition rates are low, but Garcia remained concerned about long-term sustainability.
- Bifurcations and Conflicts: Four commissioners (Bastien, Cohen Higgins, McGee, Regalado) declared conflicts of interest on portions of items C, E, and H related to Community Based Organization (CBO) grants and a grant to Children of Image. They left the chamber during those votes. Commissioner Cohen Higgins also requested bifurcations on the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau allocation ($10.5 million) and the La Quinta M property acquisition ($15.9 million).
Key Outcomes
- Item A (Countywide General Fund Millage): Adopted unanimously (13-0). Set at 4.574 mills, 9.77% above the rollback rate.
- Item B (Countywide Bonded Debt Service Millage): Adopted unanimously (13-0). Set at 0.4271 mills.
- Item C (Countywide General Fund Budget): Amended to incorporate changes from the second changes memo and scrivener's errors. The CBO portion and Children of Image grant were bifurcated and passed unanimously (12-0). The budget as amended passed 10-3. A bifurcation on the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau allocation was rejected 12-1.
- Item D (Unincorporated Municipal Service Area Millage): Adopted unanimously (13-0). Set at 1.909 mills, 8.86% above the rollback rate.
- Item E (Unincorporated Municipal Service Area Budget): Amended similarly to Item C. The CBO portion and grant agreement were bifurcated and passed 7-2. The remainder passed 10-3.
- Item F (Fire Rescue Service District Millage): Adopted unanimously (13-0). Set at 2.3965 mills, 9.89% above the rollback rate.
- Item G (Library System Millage): Adopted unanimously (13-0). Set at 0.2812 mills, 9.72% above the rollback rate.
- Item H (Proprietary and Other Budgets): Amended. Multiple bifurcations occurred: CBO portion passed unanimously; capital budget portion for Commissioner Bastien passed unanimously; the La Quinta M property acquisition was approved 11-2; the water and sewer section was approved 7-6; and the remainder passed 8-5.
- Amendments to Mayor's Memo: Approved: $200,000 to Miami Media and Film Market, funded by reducing the High Impact Film Fund from $2 million to $1.8 million. An amendment to add $150,000 for the Cuban American Bar Association was withdrawn after clarification that they already receive $147,000 in base funding.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, Mr. Chairman. Commissioner Bastien. Commissioner Bermudez. Commissioner Cabrera. Commissioner Cohen Higgins. Commissioner Gonzalez. Commissioner Hardeman. Commissioner Higgins. Commissioner McGee. Commissioner Regalado. Commissioner Steinberg. Vice Chairman Rodriguez. Chairman Gilbert. Mr. Chairman, you have seven members present. You have a quorum. Sergeant, while we do the pledge of allegiance and their location, just go as and close the doors. You all please rise for invocation and pledge of allegiance. God of our past, our present, and our destiny. Today we ask your special grace, guidance, love. We ask you to give us the wisdom to make good decisions for your people, to be good stewards of your land. We ask you to, in all things, help us to be one community, understanding that we move forward together. Keep us in your will in your way, order our steps, order our words, order our thoughts, and measure our deeds by our intentions to do good. Amen. Sorry, I miss you both done. Okay, good evening, everyone. Good evening. Tonight the board will conduct a public hearing and adopt millage rates, set fees rate fees, rates, and other charges, and adopt budgets for Miami Dade County for fiscal year 2024-25. There are eight ordinances before the board in this regard. Please note in accordance with Florida law.4271 Mills. 1012 Mills for the Public Health Trust. Jackson Miracle Bond Building Bond Program. Incorporating the fiscal year 2024-25 proposed budget as amended. Item D is an ordinance approving and adopting the countywide general fund budget for Miami Dade County Florida for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2024 and ending September 30, 2025, providing a short title, incorporating the fiscal year 2024-25 proposed budget as amended, appropriating all budget revenues and expenditures, authorizing the investment of county funds in the time warrants of Miami Dade County, authorizing the transfer of funds as cash advances, pending receipt of taxes or other revenues, authorizing deposit of interest earned to the general fund, ratifying, confirming and approving implementing orders and other actions of the board, which set fees, rates and charges, authorizing fees, rates and charges consistent with appropriations and providing for their amendment, and authorizing subsequent amendments by resolution, authorizing the mayor or mayor's designee to negotiate and execute certain funding agreements, waiving for fiscal year 2024-25 provisions of the code and resolutions requiring execution of county affidavits for nonprofits receiving certain county funding. Amending section two-seventeen ninety-two of the code to codify county mayor as county budget officer, amending, waiving or rescinding if necessary, various sections of the code, applicable implementing orders and other legislative enactments to conform such enactments to the fiscal year 2024-25 budget, superseding conflicting provisions of prior legislative enactments, and providing severability exclusion from and inclusion in the code and an effective date. Item D is an ordinance approving, adopting, and ratifying the millage for the unincorporated municipal service area, operating purposes for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2024, and ending September 30, 2025, levying all taxes so provided, providing severability exclusion from the code and an effective date on the budget director's assignment. The proposed unincorporated municipal service area operating millage is 1.909 MILLs, which is 8.86% above the state defined rollback rate of 1.7536. The proposed millage rate generates revenue to support the services included in the proposed budget, a planned cost of living adjustment, and an increase from the Florida retirement system. Item E is an ordinance approving and adopting the unincorporated municipal service area fund budget for Miami Dade County, Florida for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2024 and ending September 30, 2025, providing a short title incorporating the fiscal year 2024-25 proposed budget as amended. Appropriating all budget of revenues and expenditures, authorizing the investment of county funds in the time warrants of Miami Dade County, authorizing the transfer of funds as cash advances, pending receipt of taxes or other revenues, authorizing deposit of interest earned to the general fund, ratifying, confirming and approving implementing orders and other actions of the board, which set fees, rates and charges, authorizing fees, rates and charges consistent with appropriations and providing for their amendment, and authorizing subsequent amendments by resolution. Recognizing and continuing the unincorporated municipal service area, authorizing the mayor, mayor's designate to negotiate and execute certain funding agreements, waiving for fiscal year 2025 24-25, provisions of the code and resolutions requiring execution of county affidavits for nonprofits receiving certain county funding, amending waiving or rescinding if necessary, various sections of the code, applicable implementing orders and other legislative enactments to conform such enactments to the fiscal year 2024-25 budget, superseding conflicting provisions of prior legislative enactments, providing severability exclusion from the code and an effective date. Item F is an ordinance approving adopting and ratifying the millage for the Miami Date Fire and Rescue Service District operating purposes for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2024, and ending September 30, 2025, levying all taxes so provided, recognizing and continuing the Miami Date Fire and Rescue Service District, providing severality exclusion from the code and an effective date. The proposed Miami Dade Fire Rescue Service District operating millage is point 2.3965 mills, which is 9.89% above the state defined rollback rate of 2.1809 MILS. The proposed millage rate generates revenue to support the services included in the proposed budget, including additional units, a planned cost of living adjustment, and an increase from the Florida retirement system. Item G is an ordinance approving adopting and ratifying the millage for Miami Dade Library System operating purposes for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2024, and ending September 30, 2025. Levying all taxes so provided, recognizing and continuing the Miami Dade Library System, providing separability exclusion from the code and an effective date. The proposed Miami Dade Library System operating millage is.2812 MILS, which is 9.72% above the state defined rollback rate of.2563 MILS. The proposed millage rate generates revenue to support the services included in the proposed budget, the planned cost of living adjustment, and an increase from the Florida retirement system. Item H is an ordinance approving adopting and ratifying proprietary budget, special assessment district budgets and other budgets of Miami Dade County, Florida for fiscal year commencing October 1, 2024 and ending September 30, 2025.
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