Miramar City Commission Legislative Workshop – September 29, 2025

This workshop, originally scheduled for 4:30 PM (per agenda), was convened to review priority projects for the upcoming state and federal legislative sessions and to receive input from the City Commission. City lobbyists provided updates on the 2025 state session, property tax reform discussions, and federal appropriations. The Commission discussed the city's legislative priorities and narrowed a list of proposed projects for 2026.

State Legislative Update

• Jared Rosenstein (Capital City Consulting) reported that the 2025 state session ended without a budget due to gridlock between the House, Senate, and Governor. He noted that this gridlock benefited municipalities because bills such as sovereign immunity changes and CRA modifications died. He warned that property tax reform is a major topic heading into the next session, with possible proposals including millage rate reductions for seniors or fixed-income residents, and a potential shift to a consumption-based tax. He also mentioned a legislative effort to scrutinize local government spending (the "DOGE" effort), which has already influenced Broward County's budget.
• Ronna Brown (Ronald L. Book PA) reported on a Miami-Dade County property tax delegation meeting where various reform ideas were discussed, including changing homestead exemption portability, increasing the homestead exemption to $500,000, and a sliding scale for disability exemptions. She noted that these proposals would likely decimate city budgets and that the delegation found none of the ideas workable. Representative Rosan Redondo commented that cutting property taxes would only shift costs to cities to fund emergency services.
• The lobbyists also noted that CRA legislation may return next session, and they recommended that the city prepare compromise language regarding sunset dates and new project opportunities.

Proposed State Projects for 2026

• Staff presented a list of seven projects for potential state funding: Pembroke Road widening, sidewalk improvements, water distribution improvements, lift station improvements, cybersecurity improvements, special operations, and the South Central/Southeast Focal Point Center. The lobby team recommended narrowing the list to four or five projects, as the city has historically submitted three to five projects per year. The Commission was asked to provide direction on priorities.
• Commissioner Chambers questioned the small requested amounts relative to project costs. Ronna Brown explained that these are member project funding requests with specific House rules, and that asking for smaller amounts increases the likelihood of inclusion in the budget. The city's 2025 requests all made it into the budget, with one item vetoed.
• Commissioner Cherasard asked about the possibility of condensing the list and focusing on projects that are ready to start in 2026. The discussion emphasized that projects previously funded have a higher chance of continued support.

Federal Update

• Maurice Curlin (Alcalde & Fay) provided a federal update. He noted that the federal government is days away from a potential shutdown, but the city's projects are well positioned. Pending appropriations include over $1 million for the Pembroke Road widening project (via Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz) and $850,000 for the Miramar Youth Center (via Congresswoman Wilson). Congresswoman Wilson also submitted a second project for crime prevention.
• Curlin discussed the budget reconciliation bill, which includes reauthorization of opportunity zones and new market tax credits, but also stricter Medicaid and SNAP requirements. He noted a bipartisan bill (Road to Housing Act) that would increase CDBG funding for communities that increase affordable housing supply.
• He also mentioned that FEMA reform legislation (FEMA Act of 2025) passed committee 57-3, elevating the FEMA administrator to cabinet level, in response to earlier proposals to eliminate FEMA.
• For the next federal fiscal year, the city's primary projects will continue to be the Pembroke Road widening and the Youth Center, with additional submissions possible by March 2026.

Key Outcomes

• The Commission expressed appreciation for the lobbying team's work and acknowledged the challenging legislative environment. No formal votes were taken, but the Commission provided general direction to staff to prioritize projects that have received previous funding and that align with infrastructure and vulnerable population needs.
• The Commission indicated support for continuing to submit a condensed list of 4–5 state projects, with emphasis on those that are "shovel-ready" and have demonstrated community benefit.
• The lobbying team was encouraged to prepare a summary of key legislative issues for the city's newsletter to inform residents about state and federal actions affecting local government.
• The workshop was adjourned without a formal vote, but the city manager and staff were directed to work with the lobby team on finalizing the project list for the 2026 state session.