Miami-Dade County Commission Meeting – March 17, 2026

The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners convened on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 9:30 AM in Commission Chambers. The meeting included special presentations, a joint annual meeting with the Public Health Trust, a legislative update, and approval of numerous consent items, resolutions, and ordinances. Key actions included recognition of public health and law enforcement heroes, adoption of labor agreements, and discussion of state legislative impacts on local funding.

Special Presentations

• Vilomah Award: Presented to the family of Cesar Echaverry ("Echi"), a fallen officer, nominated by Commissioner Roberto J. Gonzalez. The award honors his ultimate sacrifice and the family's continued service in his memory.
• Women’s History Month Recognition: Honored Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H., as Florida’s first state surgeon general and first woman and Cuban American to lead the Florida Department of Health, for her contributions to public health.
• Solid Waste Management Art Poster Contest: Recognized 14 winners from 250 student submissions. The contest coincided with Global Recycling Day. The county also launched a "Scrap App" to help residents identify recyclable items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Leonard Huffman spoke in support of Item 11A1 (Second Chance Act reauthorization), urging the board to support reentry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. He shared a personal story about helping a pregnant homeless woman.

Discussion Items

• Annual Joint Meeting of the Public Health Trust (Item 6B1): CEO Carlos Migoya presented the 2024–2025 audit and highlighted challenges: potential $83 million annual loss from proposed property tax reform (eliminating non-school homestead taxes), $40 million impact from expiring ACA subsidies, and another $150 million from CMS direct payment program non-renewal. Jackson Health System has achieved $324 million in annual savings/revenue enhancements and aims to cut 3% of operating expenses annually. The new CEO, Dr. David Zambrana, will assume leadership on June 1, 2026. Commissioners praised Migoya’s 15-year tenure and presented him with a globe and the key to the county, proclaiming March 17, 2026, as "Carlos Migoya Day."
• 2026 State Legislative Session Update (Item 6B2): Commissioner Vicki L. Lopez reported that only 233 bills passed. Key bills affecting the county include:
  • HB 145 (Sovereign Immunity): Increased caps from $200,000/$300,000 to $350,000/$500,000; requires legislative approval for settlements above caps.
  • SB 1134 (Local DEI Preemption): Prohibits local government funding, promotion, or official action related to diversity, equity, or inclusion; takes effect January 1, 2027. Exceptions include state/federal holidays, single-sex programs for at-risk youth, and equal opportunity materials. Commissioners voted to send a letter urging the governor to veto this bill.
  • HB 399 (Land Use): Removed UDB line changes, but imposes new fees, compatibility criteria, and preemptions on large destination resorts (e.g., Fontainebleau).
  • HB 1389 (Affordable Housing/Live Local Act): Prohibits discrimination against affordable housing in land use decisions; waives sovereign immunity for violations.
  • Net Zero Policies: Prohibits county funds from supporting net-zero initiatives or membership in organizations with such policies.
  • Budget Outlook: House and Senate had a ~$1 billion gap; no budget passed. Special session expected.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved all consent items (3A1–3A11, 3B1–3B7, 8C1, 8E1, 8J1, 8J2, 8K1, 8K2, 8N1–8N3, 8O1–8O5, 8P1, 8P2, 10A1, 10A2, 11A1–11A4, 14A1–14A6, 15B1) with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Details per agenda.
• Ordinances – First Reading: Adopted 4A (county board vacancy notification), 4B (CDMP amendment for North Miami Avenue/NE 165th Street), and 4C substitute (Le Jeune Gardens Community Development District). Public hearing for 4C scheduled for April 21, 2026.
• Public Hearings: Adopted 5A (parking code amendments – deferred to April 21), 5B (dissolution of Ocean Gate CDD), 5C (Palm Gate CDD boundary expansion by ~54.45 acres), 5D & 5D1 (Abess Multipurpose Maintenance and Street Lighting Special Taxing District), 5E & 5E1 (Keys Gate North Subdivision Special Taxing District – transferred to City of Homestead), and 5F (plat of Palm Glades) – all passed 12-0 or 13-0.
• Collective Bargaining Agreements (14A1–14A5): Approved April 2026 cost-of-living adjustments (4%) for SEIU Local 1991 (Professionals, Attending Physicians, Registered Nurses), AFSCME Local 1363, and Committee of Interns and Residents. Commissioners noted future sustainability concerns given impending tax cuts.
• Perrine Gardens Ground Lease (14A6): Approved a 99-year ground lease with Atlantic Pacific Communities for $17.0 million, including a cash flow sharing agreement ($14.1 million) and developer fee sharing ($1.9 million), for the third phase redevelopment of Perrine Gardens and Perrine Village.
• Motions: Approved amendments to the 2026 calendar (cancel March 19 CDMP/Zoning meeting), crosswalk provision for constitutional office employees, lease extension for West Transfer Station, scrivener’s error correction on R-22-25, and due diligence extension for Landmark QOZB lease.
• Board Appointments: Appointed Yonah Janowitz to Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee; Meg Daly to CITT; Henry Hoffman, Peggy Bell, Robert Woolworth, and Miguel Murphy to various boards.

All votes and actions were recorded as indicated in the minutes and transcript.