Chairman Anthony Rodriguez Final Budget Votes Protect Public Safety and Infrastructure While Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility

Following the Miami-Dade County Commission’s second and final budget hearing, Chairman Anthony Rodriguez highlighted the adopted FY 2026-27 budget and the work done throughout the budget process to protect public safety, invest in infrastructure and parks, improve services, and identify savings before asking taxpayers to pay more.

“This budget is about priorities, accountability and respect for taxpayers,” Chairman Rodriguez said. “We can invest in our communities, protect public safety and find savings without continually asking residents to pay more. That is the commitment I made from the beginning, and it remains my commitment today.”

Throughout the budget process, Chairman Rodriguez voted against any proposed rate increases while continuing to work to address residents’ concerns and identify additional resources while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

On transportation, $12.4 million was added to restore early bus routes that had been eliminated. Through MetroConnect, the County is also continuing to provide much-needed service, particularly in UMSA, without placing an additional financial burden on the residents who rely on it.

Chairman Rodriguez also focused on finding savings and efficiencies within County government. The Board of County Commissioners returned $14.5 million, while restructuring the Office of the Chair identified an additional $1.5 million in savings.

The Chairman also identified $3.4 million in funding within the Department of Solid Waste to fully fund the Illegal Dumping Unit, code enforcement, and litter pickup while keeping the Solid Waste rate flat, with no increase for residents.

With additional funding provided by the Tax Collector, Chairman Rodriguez proposed $11.3 million for the Sheriff’s Office, ensuring law enforcement has the resources it needs.

Public safety and infrastructure remained key priorities throughout the process, including ensuring that police officers, firefighters and other public safety personnel have the resources they need while continuing to address roads, sidewalks, drainage, neighborhood services and County parks.

Chairman Rodriguez also continued to support efforts to make County government more efficient and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. That work includes the Special Task Force to Reduce Inefficiencies in Procurement (STRIP), which resulted in reforms approved by the Commission earlier this month to streamline the County’s procurement process.

“Passing the budget is not the end of the work,” Chairman Rodriguez said. “We have to continue looking for ways to make government more efficient, protect the services people rely on and make sure taxpayer dollars are being used wisely. That work continues.”

He also emphasized the importance of pursuing resources beyond traditional County revenues, including state and federal funding, public-private partnerships and other opportunities to address the County’s needs without placing unnecessary additional costs on residents.

“Residents expect results. They want safe communities, maintained roads and sidewalks, clean neighborhoods, strong parks and a government that works. That is the standard we should continue working toward,” Chairman Rodriguez said.