Non-County governmental jurisdictions and eligible non-profit organizations may lease or purchase property that the County no longer needs. Such requests should be made in writing to the County Manager. Upon receipt of such a request, the property is identified and screened for need by County agencies, and for the suitability of the proposed use intended by the recipient. If no County need is identified, and the intended use is for public purposes, the parcel may be declared surplus and transferred by lease or deed to the requesting entity by action of the Board of County Commissioners. At the sole discretion of the Board, such transfers to public agencies and institutions may be made at fair market value, or at discounts of up to 100 percent of fair market value, under certain circumstances.

Surplus properties that are not conveyed by lease or sale to state/local governments or other eligible recipients for public purposes are sold to private individuals and companies by competitive bid. State law prohibits the non-competitive sale of publicly owned property to private individuals and companies. The Real Estate staff try to balance benefits to local communities and maximize returns to taxpayers in moving unneeded County property to productive - and often tax-generating - use.

County-owned properties differ widely in type and value. Parcels are typically vacant, although buildings are sold from time to time. Properties are of all types of zoning classifications, including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and interim use. Property may be located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, or in any of the County's municipalities. Title to these properties may have originally come to the County via acquisition, dedication, tax escheatment, condemnation or other court judgment. Parcels may or may not be developable under current zoning regulations, and property is typically sold or leased on an as-is, where-as basis. If sold rather than leased, title is conveyed in all cases in the form of a County Deed, which is similar to a Quit Claim Deed. In some instances, the property is leased or sold with restrictions on the manner in which the property may be used by the lessee or purchaser.

Public sales or leases to private individuals or companies may be conducted in the form of a sealed bid, public auction, or request for proposal process. The appraised fair market value is used as a guide to sell or lease County real estate. Public lease/sale processes are advertised extensively through a variety of traditional media, over the Internet, via on-site signage, and with directed mailings to interested parties. Proceeds from property sales are returned to Miami-Dade County (either to the original holding agency or the General Fund) and are available for use in other County government endeavors.

The process to lease, sell or convey right or interest in County-owned property is administered by General Services Administration (GSA).  This procedure explains the steps to follow if any non-County, public or private, individual or corporation requests to lease, purchase or otherwise secure rights or interest in County property, e.g. via deed conveyance, restrictive covenant, easement, or right of entry agreement.  This procedure also applies when a department determines that it has excess property to lease or sell, or desires to convey title or grant rights or interest in any property under its jurisdiction.

Process

• Non-County parties with an interest in leasing, purchasing, or otherwise securing rights or interest in County property should be directed to make a detailed request in writing to the County Manager or his designee.  If the request is for the lease or purchase of County property, and the interested party is a private for-profit entity, a deposit of $150.00 is required to initiate the process, pursuant to Resolution R-1161-79.
   
• Prior to any lease or sale of County real property, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) must declare the property surplus to County needs.  In order to ascertain such need or lack of need, GSA staff will circulate written notice to County departments describing the property, and requesting a departmental determination of present or future need. Additionally, GSA staff will review its own records and County long-range capital plans to assess the need for the property.  As appropriate, other public agencies may also be given notice on the proposed disposal.
   
• In the event that a valid present or future use is identified, the initiating department is notified, and the disposal process is halted.  Any interested non-County parties are advised, and any deposits made by private parties returned. Property custody is transferred to the new using department, and that department becomes responsible for all costs associated with holding the property.  If more than one department identifies an interest, preference will be given to the department with the highest priority use and the most immediately available funding. Conflicts will be resolved between the affected departments, GSA and, if necessary, the County Manager's Office.
   
• If no interest or need is identified,  the Planning Advisory Board (PAB) is asked to make a recommendation to the BOCC regarding the proposed disposition.
   
• GSA will incorporate the recommendation of the PAB into its report, and present the matter to the BOCC for final action.  If approved, the property will be declared surplus and staff will be authorized to secure appraisal services, advertise for competitive bidding and take necessary action to conclude the sale.
   
• Pursuant to the Florida Statutes, and with BOCC approval, certain conveyances can be exempted from competitive bidding:
  • If a property is worth $15,000 or less or is only of use to an adjacent property owner(s), it may be sold to an adjacent owner without advertisement or formal bid.
  • The property may be sold or leased without competitive bidding at a negotiated amount, nominal or otherwise, to a governmental organization or a not-for-profit Florida corporation that is organized for the purposes of promoting community interest and welfare.
     
• Properties subject to competitive bidding are advertised for lease or sale, via sealed bid, for a minimum of two weeks.  Additional marketing efforts are made through mailings, signage, internet postings, etc. Dade County does not employ or compensate real estate brokers in connection with real property sales.
   
• GSA will attend the bid opening, administered by the Clerk of the Court.  All bids are publicly opened and the highest responsive bidder selected.   Deposits of other bidders are returned.  GSA staff will prepare the appropriate legal instrument in conjunction with the County Attorney's Office for the conveyance and/or lease, close the sale, and have the funds deposited to the appropriate County account.  Additionally, GSA will ensure that the deed is recorded, and that a copy is furnished to the Tax Assessor.  If the property sold had insurable improvements, GSA Risk Management will be advised of the sale.