Building Better Communitites

Keeping Commitment To Voters

When the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) first met, the members made a commitment to honor the voters of Miami-Dade County and the decisions reached as a result of the passage of the Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond (GOB) program: transparency and a commitment to monitoring projects that were approved in the 2004 referendum.  It was clear in 2004 that some changes would be necessary as the GOB program moved forward. Projects might change due to demographics and need, but if changes were to be made, a 21-member advisory committee would ask tough questions and ensure that the original intent of the bond question would be maintained.

Here we are, a few years later and there have been some project modifications.  Hurricanes intruded on timelines and property tax collections have declined.  But in that arena, the CAC has worked hard to provide guidance and counsel that protected both the county's interests and the mandate of the citizens of our community who passed the tax.

The best news of all is that through the diligent efforts of the Office of Capital Improvements, municipalities  and other groups involved in the implementation of GOB-related projects funded under the first bond sale have a 94 percent on-time performance rate. That means that projects scheduled during the first few years are either in  design, planning or construction phases. Many of the earliest projects have actually been completed and you can find a complete list here.

When significant changes are proposed for projects, originally detailed in the GOB program, the CAC weighs staff recommendations and the realities of our changing environment before reaching a consensus.  The committee recommendation is then forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for their consideration.  In the past four years only 16  projects have been submitted for change.

The CAC continues to take its' role as citizen advocates seriously and welcomes your attendance at our meetings.  Please join us and hear how your bond dollars are at work for you and for our entire community!