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1
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MINUTES PREPARED BY:
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REPORT:
Selena Brogdon, Commisison Reporter
(305)375-1475
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1A
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INVOCATION AS PROVIDED IN RULE 5.05(H)
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REPORT:
Chairwoman Edmonson began the Board of County Commission meeting at 9:30 a.m. with a moment of silence; followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
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1B
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ROLL CALL
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REPORT:
The following staff members were present: Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez; Senior Advisor to the Mayor/Director Cultural Affairs Michael Spring; Deputy Mayor Edward Marques and Deputy Mayor/Office of Management Budget Director, Jennifer Moon; Assistant County Attorneys Monica Rizo-Perez, Jess Mc Carty, and Jorge Martinez-Esteve; and Deputy Clerks Melissa Adames, Selena Brogdon, and Kely Delille.
First County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan advised the Board Agenda Items 8G1 through 8G6 were listed on today�s (7/16) official agenda and there were no changes. She announced a motion to set the agenda was in order. It was moved by Commissioner Sosa and seconded by Commissioner Higgins to approve today�s (7/16) agenda, and upon being put to a vote, the motion passed 13-0.
Following consideration of Agenda Item 8G1, it was moved by Commissioner Moss to vote on each agenda item separately. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Sosa, and upon being put to a vote, the motion passed 13-0.
During the meeting, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Chairwoman Edmonson thanked Deputy Mayor, Edward Marquez and Deputy Mayor/Office of Management Budget Director, Jennifer Moon for their teamwork in compiling a diversified budget under short time constraints and for being outstanding professionals. Commissioner Martinez highlighted their diligence for receiving increased state and federal funding on Miami-Dade County�s behalf. Commissioner Jordan expressed her appreciation to both for keeping the executive orders up to date. All other Board constituents echoed the same appreciation for their professional services.
Ms. Moon accredited her staff for contributing to her success in completing the budget.
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1C
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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1D
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REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD AS PROVIDED IN RULE 6.06
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REPORT:
The reasonable opportunity was opened by Chairwoman Edmonson. After no one appeared via zoom or telephone wishing to speak, the reasonable opportunity was closed.
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8
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DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS
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8A Thru 8F
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(No items were submitted for these sections.)
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8G
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MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET DEPARTMENT
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8G1
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201404
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Resolution
 Clerk's Official Copy
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RESOLUTION SETTING THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 COUNTYWIDE OPERATING MILLAGE RATE(Office of Management and Budget)
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Adopted
Resolution R-694-20
Mover: Dennis C. Moss
Seconder: Sally A. Heyman
Vote: 13 - 0
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REPORT:
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez explained the purpose of today�s meeting and the objective of the foregoing proposed special agenda items. He clarified if approved, the taxes rates would be used for the purpose of Trend Notices forthcoming to tax payers in August. He informed Board members the rate(s) approved today sets the ceiling that could not be increased, would be used to fund the proposed budget, and indicated proposed resolutions herewith would be used for setting budget hearings for September 3rd and September 17th. Mayor Gimenez indicated he and his staff would keep the public abreast of changes or updates to ensure public needs are met. He reported the proposed budget totals $9 billion for fiscal year 2020 to 2021 and $2.7 billion of that amount were supported by property taxes.
Mayor Gimenez provided an overview of services outlined in the new budget listed below:
� All previous services supported by property taxes to remain intact
� Additional class of police officers
� An additional Fire Rescue Unit
� Extended library hours
� Funding for Community Based Organizations
� Cultural Art Grants
� Economic Incentives
� Investments for Infrastructure
Mayor Gimenez also presented Miami-Dade County�s (MDC) cost reductions listed below:
� MDC saved $2.2 billion since the implementation of �no property tax cut�
� MDC saved $1.8 billion in financing cost by refinancing Miami-Dade County�s debt portfolio, professional courtesy of the County Administration Labor
� $53 million from the General Revenue Funds allocated to support and Subsidize transit operations through the People�s Public Transportation Plan/Half Penny PTP surtax providing discounts for Golden and Patriot Passports, Free metro-rail service with connectors to Miami International Airport (M.I.A.) expanded and new bus routes
Mayor Gimenez indicated his highest priority was to ensure residents safety and for Miami-Dade County to remain resilient and flourish by establishing an inclusive budget to achieve the following goals:
� Avoid lay-offs
� Maintain critical services
� Support Regions Economic Recovery
� Keep tax rates flt
Mayor Gimenez indicated he looked forward to having budget discussions with residents at meetings and through social media this summer by working in conjunction with Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Edmonson and Board constituents to ensure a responsible and comprehensive budget. He pointed out due to the debt service and the millage rate remaining the same last year the tax rate increased.
Commissioner Sosa affirmed the funding for transportation would not to be used for operations or maintenance to which Mayor Gimenez indicated the General Fund subsidized the Professional Transportation Planner (PTP) and people were receiving more services such as free metro mover. She stated the half penny tax also assisted with subsidizing those expenses. Commissioner Sosa suggested for Mayor Gimenez to speak with Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis in reference to offering flexible payments plans for Miami-Dade residents to pay taxes by installments.
Commissioner Martinez congratulated county staff for their professional lay-out of this budget and commended them for being diligent in their request for receiving increased state and federal grants on the county�s behalf. He stated he would later mention concerns regarding water rate and landing fee increases. Commissioner Martinez indicated due to a decision approved by the Board three years ago, allowed a provision for the Board to make extraordinary contributions from the General Funds to the Smart Plan, the forthcoming budget for the Civil Court House, and now COVID-19 relief and task force. He indicated due to this extraordinary provision the five year financial forecast was no longer balanced. Commissioner Martinez offered his support and stated he was pleased with the work done on the millage rate.
Commissioner Monestime indicated many business owners and residents were experiencing financial hardships and suggested for Mayor Gimenez to provide a tax break for those groups to be allocated from the $100 million surplus. Commissioner Monestime advocated for Community Based Organizations (CBO), the cultural arts and agricultural communities to also be incorporated in this criteria/group to receive funding. He emphasized he opposed lay-offs in lieu of tax reductions. Mayor Gimenez stated he agreed with Commissioner Monestime�s tax relief break for business owners and residents and made a verbal recommendation to provide an alternate tax break in form of a check for COVID relief to tax payers, county wide.
Chairwoman Edmonson reminded Board constituents only the millage rate would be set today.
In response to Commissioner Levine Cava�s concern if cuts would occur to the Affordable Housing Program if this propose budget was approved, Ms. Moon confirmed there were $15 million available in the Mortgage Assistance Program funded in the budget to assist people with home ownership. She assured Commissioner Levine Cava there would be no cuts to social services nor employee lay-offs to include health care, mental health and transit workers. Mayor Gimenez indicated the budget would include the Smart Plan and Ms. Moon confirmed to Commissioner Levine Cava six required budget workshops would continue virtually as required by code.
Commissioner Diaz indicated he would like to work with Commissioner Sosa on creating a payment plan to lighten residents� financial burdens to pay their taxes. He stated he agreed with Commissioner Monestime�s suggestion to provide residents an incentive to pay their taxes by including homeowners in the CARES Act Fund to provide tax payment relief.
Commissioner Heyman supported the idea to provide a rebate to homeowners as a relief fund to help residents pay their taxes. She suggested for the Board to consider other industries/individuals that have not been considered for compensation by the Board to cover Coronavirus hardships. Commissioner Heyman acknowledged the Board and her constituents for their wise decisions to prioritize the allocation of funds and to remain steadfast by continuing to leave money in Miami-Dade County reserves. She noted other emergencies may occur such as hurricanes and encouraged Board members to continue governing with high standards. She supported setting the cap on the millage rate.
In response to Board members concerns regarding whether or not to spend county�s reserve funds, Mayor Gimenez indicated Miami-Dade would not spend money saved in reserves. He clarified Miami-Dade would spend existing money already budgeted prior to the expiration of December 30, 2020 to avoid unspent money getting returned to the federal government. Mayor Gimenez stated legislative writing would be prepared in the future to include financial relief for local residents. In addition, as a buffer for next fiscal year Mayor Gimenez stated Miami-Dade would not hire new employees.
Commissioner Bovo supported Commissioner Monestime�s suggestion of providing financial relief to residents and the ceiling cap on the millage rate with the suggestion to survey what tax payers expect from government services. He also suggested for the Board constituents to reprioritize how government funds are spent and supported any incentive to place money back into tax payer�s pockets. Commissioner Bovo opposed employee cuts and lay-offs.
Commissioner Jordan suggested to give the working class an incentive such as free transportation to which Jennifer Moon affirmed to there was free transportation since March and months of free transit service to continue until a decision is made whether to continue the next fiscal year.
In reference to Commissioner Souto�s raised concern regarding people without technology having the ability to access public meetings, Ms. Moons assured Commissioner Souto community meetings would be held virtually via Zoom for charter amendments and transportation projects. Mayor Gimenez indicated the meetings would be also televised via Miami-Dade TV and members of the public without computers would have access to participate in meetings by phone.
A conversation ensued regarding Commissioner Souto�s concerns as to whether or not laws currently removed toll cost or if expressway tolls were not charging. Ms. Moon indicated there were no laws to remove tolls or toll payments and toll regulations were not determined by the Federal government and indicated Cares Act funds could be used to off-set revenue losses. She reported legislation regarding this would have to come from the State or Federal level. Commissioner Souto suggested for this Board to find ways to alleviate financial stress for the middle and working class people by applying pressure on state and federal officials. Mayor Gimenez confirmed currently there was no Board on the Miami-Dade Express Authority (MDX).
Commissioner Moss thanked his constituents for supporting Special Item No. 11. He opined non-profit organizations should be classified as essential because the social services they provided in the community are needed. Commissioner Moss also expressed the cultural arts sector should be included in this special item; and supported the millage rate.
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8G2
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201405
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Resolution
Clerk's Official Copy
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RESOLUTION SETTING THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 COUNTYWIDE DEBT SERVICE MILLAGE RATE(Office of Management and Budget)
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Adopted
Resolution R-695-20
Mover: Dennis C. Moss
Seconder: Jose "Pepe" Diaz
Vote: 13 - 0
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REPORT:
There being no questions or comments, the Board proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed special item.
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8G3
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201406
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Resolution
Clerk's Official Copy
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RESOLUTION SETTING THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 UNINCORPORATED MUNICIPAL SERVICE AREA OPERATING MILLAGE RATE(Office of Management and Budget)
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Adopted
Resolution R-696-20
Mover: Sen. Javier D. Souto
Seconder: Dennis C. Moss
Vote: 13 - 0
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REPORT:
There being no questions or comments, the Board proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed special item.
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8G4
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201407
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Resolution
Clerk's Official Copy
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RESOLUTION SETTING THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 FIRE RESCUE DISTRICT OPERATING MILLAGE RATE(Office of Management and Budget)
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Adopted
Resolution R-697-20
Mover: Rebeca Sosa
Seconder: Jose "Pepe" Diaz
Vote: 13 - 0
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REPORT:
There being no questions or comments, the Board proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed special item.
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8G5
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201408
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Resolution
Clerk's Official Copy
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RESOLUTION SETTING THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 LIBRARY DISTRICT OPERATING MILLAGE RATE(Office of Management and Budget)
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Adopted
Resolution R-698-20
Mover: Sally A. Heyman
Seconder: Jose "Pepe" Diaz
Vote: 13 - 0
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REPORT:
There being no questions or comments, the Board proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed special item.
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8G6
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201409
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Resolution
Clerk's Official Copy
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RESOLUTION SETTING THE DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 PROPOSED PUBLIC BUDGET HEARINGS(Office of Management and Budget)
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Adopted
Resolution R-699-20
Mover: Jose "Pepe" Diaz
Seconder: Sally A. Heyman
Vote: 13 - 0
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REPORT:
There being no questions or comments, the Board proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed special item.
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19
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ADJOURNMENT
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REPORT:
There being no further business to come before the Board of County Commissioners Special meeting, the meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
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3
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CONSENT AGENDA
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| 9/2/2026 |
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Agenda Key: 4453 |