TITLE
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE USE OF CHARTER COUNTY TRANSPORTATION SURTAX BOND PROGRAM FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,896,702.00 TO REIMBURSE THE MIAMI-DADE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS OPERATING FUND FOR A PAYMENT ISSUED TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR DEPRECIATED VALUE AND UNAUTHORIZED MILEAGE ASSOCIATED WITH 15 BUSES ORIGINALLY PURCHASED FOR THE DISCONTINUED I-95 EXPRESS BUS SERVICE ROUTES; FOR A PROJECT WHICH WAS ADDED TO THE PEOPLE�S TRANSPORTATION PLAN IN JULY 2026

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WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board authorizes the use of Charter County Transportation Surtax Bond Program Funds in the amount of $3,896,702.00 to reimburse the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) operating fund for the payment made to the Florida Department of Transportation for depreciated value and unauthorized mileage associated with 15 buses originally purchased for the discontinued I-95 Express Bus Service routes. The use of Charter County Transportation Surtax Funds for DTPW is included in the FY25-26 Multi-Year Capital Budget and the FY26-30 Five-Year Implementation Plan of the People�s Transportation Plan.

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Date:
To: Honorable Chairman Anthony Rodriguez
and Members, Board of County Commissioners
From: Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor
Subject: Recommendation for Approval of $3,896,702 of Charter County Transportation Surtax Funding to Reimburse the Department of Transportation and Public Works for Payment to the Florida Department of Transportation for Bus Purchases for Discontinued I-95 Express Bus Routes

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Executive Summary
This item seeks approval from the Board of County Commissioners (Board) for the use of $3,896,702 in Charter County Transportation Surtax (Surtax) funds to reimburse the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) Operating Fund for a payment issued to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for depreciated value and unauthorized mileage associated with 15 diesel-powered buses originally purchased for the I-95 Express Bus Service. These routes were permanently discontinued in March 2020 due to a significant decline in ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing bus operator shortages. Following discontinuation, DTPW redeployed the buses to other routes to preserve critical transit coverage for Miami-Dade residents, and the buses remain in active use. While operationally necessary, this redeployment was inconsistent with FDOT grant requirements restricting the use of the buses exclusively to the I-95 Express Service. As a result, FDOT determined that reimbursement was required.

FDOT issued its reimbursement request in September 2024, and DTPW has since engaged in detailed reviews and reconciliations to validate the amount owed. Payment was remitted to FDOT on January 12, 2026. This agenda item represents the final step in resolving the issue, ensuring compliance with FDOT�s requirements while maintaining transparency and fiscal responsibility.

Because Surtax funds are proposed for this reimbursement, the item will be presented to the Citizens� Independent Transportation Trust for review and recommendation prior to Board consideration.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board approve the use of $3,896,702 in Charter County Transportation Surtax funds to reimburse DTPW for payment issued to FDOT related to 15 buses acquired under Contract No. L1168501B1 for the I-95 Express Bus Service. The total purchase cost was $8,139,630, funded through FDOT Grant G0350 and approved by the Board pursuant to Resolution No. R-936-16.

FDOT�s total reimbursement request for 28 buses is $9,658,133.83. This item specifically addresses the $3,896,702 portion related to the 15 buses funded under Grant G0350. The balance of $5,761,431.83 relates to other procurements for which Surtax funding was previously authorized and included in the People's Transportation Plan. The table below provides a depiction of this breakdown.

No. of Buses Reimbursed MDC Contract No. MDC Resolution FDOT Contract Reimbursement Amount
15 L1168501B1 R-936-16 G0350 $3,896,702
2 RFP-00096 R-35-17 G3050 $568,787.63
11 FB-01356 R-300-20 G1C16 $5,192,644.20
Total $9,658,133.83

This agenda item is placed for review pursuant to County Code Section 29-124(f). This item may only be considered by the Board if the Citizens� Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) has forwarded a recommendation to the Board prior to the date scheduled for Board consideration or 45 days have elapsed since the filing with the Clerk of the Board of this recommendation. If the CITT has not forwarded a recommendation and 45 days have not elapsed since the filing of this item, I will request a withdrawal of this item.

Scope
The scope of this item is countywide in nature. However, the discontinued bus routes primarily served District 3 and District 5, represented by Commissioner Keon Hardemon and Commissioner Vicki L. Lopez, respectively.

Delegation of Authority
The authority of the County Mayor or the County Mayor's designee to issue payment to FDOT is consistent with those authorities granted under the County Code. No additional delegation is requested.

Fiscal Impact/Funding Source
The total fiscal impact of this reimbursement is $3,896,702. Funding will be provided via the People�s Transportation Plan Bond Program.

Program Adopted Budget Funding Source
6730101 Bus - Enhancements FY25-26 Adopted Budget & Multi-Year Capital Plan; Volume 2, Page 139 People's Transportation Plan Bond Program

Track Record/Monitor
Melvin Cartagena, Assistant Director and Chief Financial Officer of DTPW, will monitor the reimbursement.

Background
FDOT provided $15 million in State toll revenues through Grants G0350 and G1C16 for the purchase of 28 buses to operate the I-95 Express Bus Service. The 15 diesel-powered buses addressed in this item were placed into service in January 2017 and operated on Routes 195/295 and 196/296, which connected Broward Boulevard and Sheridan Street to Downtown Miami and the Civic Center. The routes were discontinued in March 2020 as ridership collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to prioritize limited operator resources for core transit services. To avoid idle assets and maintain systemwide reliability, DTPW redeployed the diesel-powered buses to other routes. This redeployment, while operationally necessary, was inconsistent with FDOT�s contractual requirement that the buses be used solely for the I-95 Express Bus Service.

On September 9, 2024, FDOT requested reimbursement of $9,658,133.83, comprised of: (1) depreciated value of $8,229,167.05 based on FDOT�s 12-year vehicle lifecycle standard; and (2) unauthorized mileage value of $1,428,966.78 based on miles accrued beyond contractual limits after redeployment. It is important to note that FDOT�s methodology calculates depreciation through February 2024, even though the I-95 Express Bus Service ended in March 2020. By extending the depreciation period, FDOT reduces the buses� remaining value at the time of reimbursement. Because repayment is based on that remaining value, this approach reduces the amount the County must repay.

DTPW completed its independent review in July 2025 and concurred with FDOT�s methodology and calculations. Since that time, DTPW has undertaken the necessary steps to expedite payment to FDOT and identify an appropriate funding source for the reimbursement. Approval of this item will allow DTPW to reimburse its Operating Fund for the upfront payment to FDOT and ensure that Charter County Transportation Surtax expenditures are managed transparently through the People�s Transportation Plan framework.

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Jimmy Morales
Chief Operating Officer