Citizens’ Oversight Committee
Why was the Safe Neighborhood Parks Citizens’ Oversight Committee created?
The Citizens’ Oversight Committee was created by County Ordinance No. 96-115 to provide oversight of the management and disbursement of Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond funds, and to ensure that Bond funds are awarded and expended in accordance with the Bond Ordinance.
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How can I become a member of the Safe Neighborhood Parks Citizens’ Oversight Committee?
Membership applications are currently being accepted for all County Commission Districts. Upon notification of a vacancy for a County Commission District, a slate of names is forwarded to the County Commissioner for appointment to the Committee.
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How do I know my money is going to what was approved for funding?
The Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Ordinance No. 96-115 requires that an annual audit be conducted. The Office of Safe Neighborhood Parks, as well as each grantee who receives funding, is required to comply and have an independent auditor complete a review each year of Safe Neighborhood Parks projects. In addition, staff in the Office of Safe Neighborhood Parks perform site visits to ensure all project elements are completed before the final reimbursement is released.
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Funding
Which municipalities received funding through the Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Ordinance?
| Aventura |
Miami Beach |
| Bal Harbour |
Miami Shores |
| Bay Harbor Island |
Miami Springs |
| Biscayne Park |
North Bay Village |
| Coral Gables |
North Miami |
| Florida City |
North Miami Beach |
| Golden Beach |
Opa-locka |
| Hialeah |
Pinecrest |
| Hialeah Gardens |
South Miami |
| Homestead |
Surfside |
| Key Biscayne |
Sweetwater |
| Medley |
Virginia Gardens |
| Miami |
West Miami |
| Miami-Dade County Park & Recreation Dept. |
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Beyond those municipalities in the Ordinance, who else has received Safe Neighborhood Parks funding?
|
Coalition to Improve North Dade, Inc.
|
Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Dept. |
| Dade County Fair & Exposition |
Miami-Dade Co. Dept. of Environmental Resources Mgmt |
| Dade County Public Schools |
Once Upon A Tree Foundation |
| City of Doral |
Richmond-Perrine Optimist Club |
| City of Miami Gardens |
Town of Miami Lakes |
| City of Sunny Isles Beach |
Trust for Public Land |
| Everglades Community Association |
Village of Palmetto Bay |
| Goulds Community Development Center |
Virginia Key Beach Park Trust |
| Miami Children’s Museum |
Zoological Society of South Florida |
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What types of projects are funded through the Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond fund?
A variety of projects are funded through the Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Program, including tot lots, recreation centers, pools, athletic fields and more. For more details, click on What is funded or the Safe Neighborhood Parks Photo Gallery.
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Can Safe Neighborhood Parks funds be used for programming or maintenance?
No. Safe Neighborhood Parks funding may be used only for park capital improvements and land acquisition.
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How may I apply for funds from Safe Neighborhood Parks?
The only funds available from Safe Neighborhood Parks that are not restricted to municipalities and Miami-Dade County are Discretionary funds, which may also be awarded to Not-For-Profit organizations. These Discretionary funds are awarded through a competitive process.
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When do Discretionary funds become available?
Discretionary funds become available approximately every two (2) years. There is a Public Notice placed in local newspapers announcing the availability of Discretionary dollars. You may also contact the Office of Safe Neighborhood Parks and request to be notified when Discretionary funding becomes available.
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Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Program
What is the Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Program?
The Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Program is a capital improvement bond program that was voted for by the citizens of Miami-Dade County. The funds from the sale of the bonds are used to acquire and improve park facilities throughout Miami-Dade County and its municipalities.
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Is the Office of Safe Neighborhood Parks part of the Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Dept.?
No. The Office of Safe Neighborhood Parks is a separate County department and is not part of the Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department.
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Why was the Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond fund created?
The Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond fund was created to provide a dedicated funding source for capital improvement and development of parks around Miami-Dade County.
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How much Bond money was approved?
The Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Ordinance authorized up to $200 million for park improvements and land acquisition.
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How much is the Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Program costing me as a taxpayer?
Safe Neighborhood Parks Bonds are 40-year bonds. It is estimated to cost the average homeowner $8.34 per year.
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What can the Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond funds be used for?
These funds may be used only for park improvements and development, as well as land acquisition. All development or land acquisition must occur on public property, and be open and available to all citizens.
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