We began this week with a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners to set millage rates for the upcoming fiscal year. Each year, I propose rates that are voted on by our Board of County Commissioners. After hundreds of our residents spoke, the Board adopted three of my four recommended millage rates. There was a slight increase in the rate for libraries. My administration and I look forward to continuing to work with commissioners, department directors and union leaders to craft a sustainable budget that increases efficiency in our government without raising overall tax rates.

I want to note that my proposed budget is the first in a decade that does not utilize one-time revenues to support operations and serves as the basis for a balanced five-year forecast.  It does, however, present a worst case scenario with painful cuts and service reductions that are a result of increased personnel costs. My administration will continue to negotiate with our unions in an effort to continue employee concessions so we can avoid layoffs and service cuts.  I will also be seeking ways to reduce our healthcare costs by approximately 15 percent. I want to be clear though. I am not asking for 15 percent more from employees.  Instead, my goal is to redesign our health plan in order to save 15 percent while maintaining a high quality health plan for employees.

I invite you to read my Op-Ed in Sunday’s Miami Herald that further explains my position on this year’s budget.

Over the next few weeks, I will be hosting town hall meetings on the budget for Fiscal Year 2014-2015, throughout the county. We will also be hosting a Twitter chat and Facebook town hall. More information will be made available in the coming weeks via my website.

On Tuesday morning, Miami-Dade County was presented with a rebate check for $1.1 million from Con Edison Solutions Inc.  This is a result of our efforts to increase energy savings through the redesign of our water chiller plants.  This is an example of how Miami-Dade County continues to find ways to increase efficiencies and save taxpayer dollars. 

Wednesday evening I joined Gov. Rick Scott and other elected officials and residents for the signing of the Aaron Cohen Act. Named after a Miami-Dade cyclist who lost his life on the Rickenbacker Causeway after a collision with a vehicle, the Act enhances penalties for hit and run drivers who leave the scene of an accident.

Lastly, on Thursday morning I spoke at the launch of the City of Miami’s homeless MAT program. Miami-Dade County continues to work to reduce street homelessness in Downtown Miami.  Through this and other efforts, we’re working toward the day when we can end chronic homelessness in our community.