Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 231732

Printable PDF Format

File Number: 231732

File Type: Report

Status: Before the Board

Version: 0

Reference:

Control: First Budget Hearing

File Name: FIRST BUDGET HEARING - FY 2023-24 PROPOSED BUDGET

Introduced: 9/1/2023

Requester: Mayor

Cost:

Final Action:

Agenda Date: 9/7/2023

Agenda Item Number:

Notes:

Title:

INFORMATION FOR FIRST BUDGET HEARING - FY 2023-24 PROPOSED BUDGET

Indexes:

NONE

Sponsors:

NONE

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	9/7/2023		Presented
REPORT:	County Attorney Bonzon-Keenan advised that Mr. David Clodfelter, Chief Budget Officer and Director, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), would read into the record scrivener’s errors and proposed amendments. Mr. David Clodfelter read scrivener’s errors and amendments into the record as follows: 1. To correct scrivener’s error on page 10 of the accompanying memorandum to the proposed budget dated September 1, 2023, entitled “Information for First Budget Hearing – FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget,” the last sentence of the second to last paragraph, to change the capital program number to read “Capital Program Number 2000000133;” and 2. To amend Agenda Item H, Legislative File Number 231741: a. To correct scrivener’s error on page 2 of the ordinance, Section 2, third line, to change the date to read October 1, 2023; b. To amend Attachment B, page 96, Waste Collection Services Fee Table, under the Residential Services/Single Family, Duplex, Triplex and Quad sub-heading, the Garbage Trash, TRC, and Recycling (One Garbage Cart) Fee to read $547.00; c. To amend the Operating Budget/Appropriation Schedules, page 441, under the Department of Solid Waste Management/Waste Collection Operations/(Funds EW001, EW018, and EW019) heading, the amounts for “Collection Fees and Charges” and “Total” listed under the sub-heading “Revenues” to read $195,408,000 and $233,024,000, respectively; and d. To amend the Operating Budget/Appropriation Schedules, under the Department of Solid Waste Management/Waste Collection Operations/(Funds EW001, EW018, and EW019) heading, the amounts for “Garbage and Trash Collection Operations” and “Total” listed under the sub-heading “Expenditures” to read $212,274,000 and $233,024,000, respectively. Chairman Gilbert III opened the public hearing; and the following persons appeared before the Board: 1. Ms. Janet Carabelli, 120 NE 90th Street, El Portal, Florida 2. Ms. Gladys Mezrahi, 21150 Point Place, Apartment 2206, Aventura, Florida 3. Ms. Molly Phillips, 2400 SW 27th Avenue, Miami, Florida 4. Ms. Marya Meyer, 1781 Opechee Drive, Coconut Grove, Florida 5. Mr. Michael Rosenberg, 13030 North Calusa Club Drive, Miami, Florida 6. Ms. Mahlia Lindquist, Executive Director of LEAP Women’s Reentry Program, 1206 Madrid Street, Coral Gables, Florida 7. Ms. Kerry Ann Royes, President and CEO of YWCA South Florida, 351 NW 5th Street, Miami, Florida 8. Ms. Corinne Webb, Instructor at the Homestead Correctional Institute, LEAP Program, 8330 SW 176th Street, Palmetto Bay, Florida 9. Mr. J. B. Arbelo, Director of Education, YWCA of South Florida, Court Care Program, 14162 SW 151st Avenue, Miami, Florida 10. Ms. Angelena Jackson, 1120 NW 184th Drive, Miami, Florida 11. Mr. Jose Filpo, 351 NW 5th Street, Miami, Florida 12. Ms. Sofia Valverde, 461 SW 21st Road, Miami, Florida 13. Ms. Angeline Evans, 11300 SW 120th Street, Miami, Florida 14. Ms. Cameron Bills, Miami Waterkeeper, 4050 Loquat Avenue, Miami, Florida 15. Ms. Cynthia Hewitt, 16630 SW 80th Avenue, Miami, Florida 16. Ms. Addy Nagle, Miami Waterkeeper, 2666 Tigertail Avenue, Unit 11, Miami, Florida 17. Ms. Denise Houst, 8865 SW 172nd Street, Palmetto Bay, Florida 18. Ms. Samantha Barquin, Miami Waterkeeper, 15040 SW 49th Lane, Miami, Florida 19. Ms. Julie Clark, Pets’ Trust Miami, 11015 SW 52nd Drive, Miami, Florida 20. Ms. Rita Schwartz, Pets Trust Miami, 7100 SW 133rd Street, Miami, Florida 21. Ms. Catherine Dos Santos, Transit Alliance Miami, 1228 West Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 22. Ms. Sharon Shaw, Pets’ Trust Miami, 8415 SW 107th Avenue, Miami, Florida 23. Mr. Nicholas Duran, Advocacy Manager, Transit Alliance Miami, 9860 SW 14th Street, Miami, Florida 24. Ms. Mercedes Cabrera (homeless), Miami Workers Center 25. Ms. Andrea Iglesias, Urban Health Partnerships, 1800 SW 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 26. Mr. Mel Meinhardt, Chairman, Friends of the Commodore Trail, 3075 Virginia Street, Miami, Florida 27. Ms. Lana Montalban, 210 Seaview Drive, Key Biscayne, Florida 28. Mr. Ethan Ebizadeh, Miami Waterkeeper, 1260 97th Street, Bay Harbor Islands, Florida 29. Mr. Mike Pryslak, 10850 SW 42nd Street, Miami, Florida 30. Ms. Heather Glassman, Pets’ Trust Miami, 720 NW 140th Terrace, Miami, Florida 31. Ms. Tia Williams, Director of Operation Paw and Board Member of Cat Solutions 305, 929 NW 49th Street, Miami, Florida 32. Ms. Nancy DeNike, LEAP, 41 NW 16th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33. Ms. Ana Campos, licensed prívate investigator, 3032 E. Commercial Boulevard, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 34. Mr. John Adams, 401 Ocean Drive, Miami, Florida 35. Ms. Kim Bonanno, 655 Meridian Avenue, Unit 19, Miami Beach, Florida 36. Ms. Kira Grossman, Board Chairwoman of Voices For Children, 710 Woodcrest, Key Biscayne, Florida 37. Mr. Stanley Young, 500 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 38. Mr. Theophilus Williams, 1391 NW 95th Street, Miami, Florida 39. Ms. Pascale Romain, 1351 NW 103rd Street, Miami, Florida 40. Ms. Nanelle Jean Pierre, 7776 Dilido Boulevard, Miramar, Florida 41. Ms. Ebony Felton, member of Power U Center for Social Change, 7432 NW 23rd Court, Miami, Florida 42. Ms. Marilyn Holifield, Miami Museum of Contemporary Art of the African Diaspora, 701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3300, Miami, Florida 43. Mr. Kenneth Kilpatrick, President of Brownsville Civic Neighborhood Association (BCNA), Miami, Florida 44. Mr. Marie Mona Paul, 13100 NE 7th Avenue, Apartment 115, Miami, Florida 45. Ms. Cynthia Seip, Pets’ Trust Miami, 916 Medina Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 46. Ms. Verline Vernette, 770 NE 141st Street, North Miami, Florida 47. Ms. Claudia Ramirez, 4850 SW 149th Court, Unit J, Miami, Florida 48. Mr. E. Simonville, 70 NE 202nd Street, Miami, Florida 49. Ms. Karina Goldenberg, Pets’ Trust Miami, 11131 NE 9th Court, Biscayne Park, Florida 50. Ms. Maria Elena Prio, 1550 Tigertail Avenue, Miami, Florida 51. Ms. Ly Bibiana Salmon, 2962 NW 98th Place, Doral, Florida 52. Mr. Joel Alexis, 4613 NW 190th Street, Miami, Florida 53. Mr. Lexius Choute, 21 N9W 68th Street, Miami, Florida 54. Mr. Jeffrey Hearne, Legal Services of Greater Miami, 4343 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 55. Ms. Cristina DeCastro, Pets’ Trust Miami, 23062 SW 104th Court, Miami, Florida 56. Ms. Sharon Frazier-Stephens, 6324 NE 1st Place, Miami, Florida 57. Mr. Juan Carlos Montufar, 3951 NW 7th Street, Miami, Florida 58. Unidentified speaker 59. Ms. Marie Therese (no surname or address given) 60. Ms. Anaruth Solace, 7385 Fairway Drive, Miami Lakes, Florida 61. Ms. Rachel Prestipino, 1818 SW 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 62. Mr. Kenneth Brown 12300 NW 17th Avenue, Miami, Florida 63. Ms. Roseline Larose, 2511 NE 55th Street, Miami, Florida 64. Ms. Omrit Shimoni, Jewish Community Services of South Florida, 12000 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 65. Mr. Oliver Telusma, Equal Justice Works Fellow, Community Justice Project, 3000 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 106, Miami, Florida 66. Mr. Charles Curry, 7802 NW 8th Avenue, Miami, Florida 67. Ms. Ericka Valera, 430 NW 73rd Terrace, Miami, Florida 68. Ms. Nelly Medina, Miami Workers Center, 301 NW 22nd Street, Apartment 106, Miami, Florida 69. Mr. Camilo Mejia, 3482 Frow Avenue, Miami, Florida 70. Ms. Betty Petiote, 1440 NE 153rd Terrace, Miami, Florida 71. Ms. Bernadette Campos, 905 SW 1st Street, Apartment 105, Miami, Florida 72. Dr. Enid Pinkney, 4990 NW 31st Avenue, Miami, Florida 73. Ms. Carla Crossno, Co-Chairwoman of the Philanthropy Miami, 445 Bianca Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 74. Former State Representative Dr. James Bush, III, Hampton House, 4900 NW 30th Avenue, Miami, Florida 75. Mr. Rolando Bosch Rodriguez, 2841 NE 163rd Street, Apartment 1114, North Miami Beach, Florida 76. Mr. James Mills, 12805 SW 104th Terrace, Miami, Florida 77. Ms. Nerlande Mervilus, 305 NW 104th Terrace, Miami, Florida 78. Mr. Paul Christian Namphy, 1275 NW 123rd Street, Miami, Florida 79. Ms. Falicia Douglas, Senior Program Director for Curley’s House of Styles, Inc., 6025 NW 6th Court, Miami, Florida 80. Mr. Rubin Young, Director of Grants and Development, Curley’s House of Style, Inc., Hope Relief Food Bank, 6025 NW 6th Court, Miami, Florida 81. Mr. James Watley, Sr., on behalf of Curley’s House, 1217 NW 2nd Avenue, Apartment 105, Miami, Florida 82. Mr. Pedro Rafael Castro, Miami Workers Center, 5086 NW 7th Street, Miami, Florida 83. Mr. Emiliano Cambra-Morales, made statement on behalf of Ms. Victoria Morales, 1293 SW 22nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 84. Ms. Bernadette Cunningham, Curley’s House, 786 NW 75th Street, Miami, Florida 85. Ms. Maria Donaldson, Curley’s House, 70 East 7th Street, Unit 714, Hialeah, Florida 86. Ms. Yanelis Valdes, 58 NE 14 Street, Miami, Florida 87. Ms. Caro Rodriguez, 8950 NE 8th Avenue, Miami, Florida 88. Ms. Alexandra Contreras, 9725 SW 110th Street, Miami, Florida 89. Ms. Z. Spicer, Engage Miami, 1465 NE 123rd Street, North Miami, Florida 90. Ms. Yeimi Valdes, 1500 NE Miami Place, Miami, Florida 91. Ms. Angelena Spicer, Curley’s House, 6025 NW 6th Street, Miami, Florida 92. Ms. Clara Mae Jenkins, 2469 NW 63rd Street, Miami, Florida 93. Ms. Lavern Spicer, 6025 NW 6th Court, Miami, Florida 94. Ms. Janie Jackson, Miami Workers Center, 1161 NW 50th Street, Miami, Florida 95. Ms. Maria Elena Rodriguez, 1530 SW 20th Street, Miami, Florida 96. Ms. Daymara Reyes, 1550 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida 97. Ms. Vanny E. Veras, Attendance Organizer, Miami Workers Center, 1007 SW 26th Terrace, Miami, Florida 98. Ms. Barbara Ayllon Hernandez, Chapman Partnership, 4111 NW 37th Avenue, Lot D-418, Miami, Florida 99. Ms. Francene Hagama, 2905 NW 51st Terrace, Miami, Florida 100. Ms. Vanessa Ressler, Chair-Elect of the Board of Directors, Jewish Community Services, 12000 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 101. Ms. Miriam Singer, Jewish Community Services, 12000 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 102. Ms. Brenda Tynes, 5255 NW 24th Avenue, Unit A545, Miami, Florida 103. Ms. Patricia Arias, Executive Director of CAMACOL, 1401 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 104. Deacon Larry Williams, Jr., Chair of the Brownsville CAHSD Community Advisory Committee, 3110 NW 55th Street, Miami, Florida 105. Ms. Rayna Milfort, Miami Homes for All, 3250 SW 3rd Avenue, Miami, Florida 106. Ms. Audrey Aradanas, 3250 SW 3rd Avenue, Miami, Florida 107. Ms. Marsha Jaqeays, 13100 West Dixie Highway, North Miami, Florida 108. Mr. Rudy Shanyo-Theophin, 3592 SW 68th Way, Miramar, Florida 109. Former State Representative Roy Hardemon, 1292 NW 79th Street, Miami, Florida 110. Ms. Maria Claudia Schubert Fontes, 10063 Costa del Sol Boulevard, Doral, Florida 111. Ms. Daniella Roger, Miami Homes for All, 3250 SW 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 112. Mr. Carl Bey, Member of the Brownsville CAHSD Community Advisory Committee, 5150 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 113. Ms. Claudia Erica Romero Perez, 217 NW 15th Street, Miami, Florida 114. Ms. Anjuli Castaño, Miami Homes for All, 800 NW 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida 115. Ms. Claudia McLean-Jo, Joshua’s Heart Foundation, 5243 Alton Road, Miami Beach, Florida 116. Ms. Marie Carmelle Lindley, 14327 SW 275th Lane, Homestead, Florida 117. Mr. Helisson Atelus, Model City, 2420 NW 85th Terrace, Miami Gardens, Florida 118. Ms. Chikanma Pondexter, 345 NW 188th Street, Miami Gardens, Florida 119. Ms. Jo Ann Harris, Alliance for Musical Arts Productions, 5020 NW 197th Street, Miami Gardens, Florida 120. Ms. M. Lee Kinsler, A Leap of Faith Foundation, 554 NW 56th Street, Miami, Florida 121. Ms. Julie Robinson, South Dade Women’s Veterans Alliance, Inc., 14661 Harrison Street, Miami, Florida 122. Mr. Ijamyn Gray, Encouraging Dreamers Breaking Barriers, 1490 NW 3rd Avenue, Miami, Florida 123. Mr. Jules Dalge, 1055 NE 126th Street, Apartment 207, Miami, Florida 124. Ms. Janneé Smith, Miami Homes for All, 1545 NW 15th Street Road, Apartment 805, Miami, Florida 125. Ms. Katherine Passley, Beyond the Bars, 300 NE 118th Terrace, Miami, Florida 126. Ms. Sarai Gabar, Beyond the Bars, 1071 NE 11th Terrace, Miami, Florida 127. Mr. Marlon Hill, 13525 SW 119th Avenue, Miami, Florida Hearing no other persons wishing to speak, Chairman Gilbert III, closed the public hearing. Mayor Levine Cava thanked everyone for attending tonight’s (9/7) first budget meeting. She emphasized the public’s input was key to allowing the County to respond to the community’s needs and determine the County’s priorities before moving forward with the budget. Mayor Levine Cava stated she was proud of the proposed budget (Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24) because it was responsible, compassionate, and served the people. She pointed out that the County set historic tax rates and made targeted investments last year to ensure families could continue to afford to pay their bills despite the increased cost of living. Mayor Levine Cava commented on the County’s commitment to providing financial relief to residents and laying the foundation for future growth and prosperity. She stated this year’s proposed budget also created a more future-ready Miami by investing in tomorrow, addressing long-term challenges, and preparing for major impending budgetary needs, while making unprecedented infrastructure investments in key priorities previously mentioned by the community. Mayor Levine Cava advised that her administration had secured approximately $1 billion in federal and state infrastructure grants. She pointed out those funds constituted the largest financial growth in this year’s budget, and were appropriated for infrastructure investments. Mayor Levine Cava stated it was important to have an investment-minded infrastructure budget to continue building on the progress made over the last two (2) years despite providing an additional one percent (1%) property tax reduction. She noted that the proposed property tax reduction would offer financial relief to residents and represented $36 million in savings to the public while maintaining the same level of service delivery expected by residents. Mayor Levine Cava pointed out that the proposed budget also invested in key priorities such as housing, transportation infrastructure, public safety, environment, small businesses, families, and the older adult population. Therefore, she believed the proposed budget was balanced, smart, compassionate, and responsible; and it ensured fiscal stability and prosperity for years to come by investing in more livable communities, and providing enhancements for each County Commission District in response to the community's needs and concerns. Additionally, the budget included a $2 million allocation to expand and enhance Animal Services programs. Mayor Levine Cava thanked Budget Director David Clodfelter and the members of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for their assistance in the development of the proposed budget. Chairman Gilbert III opened the floor to allow each Board member to present their concerns and outline budgetary priorities. Commissioner Gonzalez expressed his support for providing affordable housing for residents, addressing the increased cost of living, and the need to increase service levels in proportion to the realized funding increase in the budget. He asked that the County Administration to identify budgetary efficiencies to have the savings refunded to the taxpayers with the mid-year budget adjustments in the year 2024. Commissioner Gonzalez commented budgetary adjustments should be judicious and based on information and suggested a review of every departmental expense to identify efficiencies to provide taxpayers with the needed tax relief. He recommended the County Administration use the Commission Auditor’s budget report as a starting analysis point. Commissioner Steinberg stated her support for the proposed budget as presented even though County Commission District 4 needed additional enhancements. Commissioner Bastien reiterated the importance of developing a fair and equitable budget that supported affordable housing, enhanced public safety in neighborhoods, improved vital infrastructure needs, and expanded transportation options; and requested the following: 1. The review of existing affordable housing programs to determine their efficiency and effectiveness to make appropriate modifications since housing remained a critical need throughout the County; 2. The development of new initiatives to attract new business to the County, support to small businesses, and encourage young entrepreneurs; 3. The inclusion of the 7th Avenue and 79th Street corridors in the Priority Areas List of economic development; 4. The review of the root causes of gun violence to be able to develop programs and initiatives to address those problems; and 5. The development of a comprehensive plan to address roadway resurfacing and the permanent resolution of the roadway drainage problems. Commissioner Bastien expressed her interest in working with the administration to review and address her concerns to make the County more equitable. Commissioner Regalado suggested the County Administration review the feasibility of increasing the Save Our Seniors Program eligibility threshold to allow more seniors to qualify for the property tax exemption; and to review the feasibility of providing taxpayers with assistance to access applications that facilitated applying for property tax reductions. She also suggested the County Administration evaluate the utilization and effectiveness of existing programs, including the Mortgage Relief Program (MRP). Commissioner Regalado expressed her support to move forward with the request to refresh the Civic Center Master Plan. She pointed out that the Board members needed to engage in serious discussions regarding the loss of the chain of command of police officers due to the newly established Sheriff’s Office, and the need to continue funding other associated departments. Commissioner Regalado recommended the Board establish a separate millage rate for the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Regalado spoke in support of establishing a version of the Pet Trust proposed in the past and allowing them to continue providing the spay and neuter services with an evaluation of their performance in a year. She recommended that the proposed Pet Trust be included in the decision-making process. She asked that the County Administration implement an aggressive Spay and Neuter Program and expressed disagreement with the continuance of animal sanctuaries. Commissioner Regalado asked that the County Administration identify funding to continue supporting the Neurodiversity Training Program. Commissioner Bermudez made the following requests: 1. A discussion within the next two (2) weeks on the project status of the decommissioned landfill located within County Commission District 12 and the adjacent proposed Soccer Park approved by the voters in 2012, which remained unbuilt; and 2. An equitable distribution of art-related opportunities among all county commission districts located on the western side of the County. Commissioner Bermudez expressed concern for the following issues: 1. The projected $27.5 million Unincorporated Municipal Service Area (UMSA) budget deficit for the next fiscal year and recommended the Board should address this issue as soon as possible; 2. The low level of funds in the reserve funds; 3. The inadequacy of transportation services; 4. The lack of job creation; 5. The need to provide incentives to large business entities to attract corporations that could offer the types of jobs this County merited; and 6. The need to establish assistance programs for the middle class. Commissioner Bermudez recommended the development of a mechanism to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and emphasized the need to expedite the decision on building the east-west corridor. Commissioner Cohen Higgins commended Mayor Levine Cava for addressing the needs and concerns of every speaker at tonight’s meeting and for her level of commitment and leadership. She also thanked the Mayor for meeting with her to establish her budgetary priorities for County Commission District 8, particularly, for addressing the pothole issue and the allocation of $0.31 of every dollar to public safety-related issues. Commissioner Cohen Higgins explained that the implementation of a Pet Trust was under the control of the Board members if they wished to establish it and not the Mayor; and in the interim, an allocation of over $2 million was included in the budget to help the overcrowding of animals. She expressed support for the proposed one percent (1%) millage rate reduction and asked the Board members to support it. Commissioner Cohen Higgins asked Mayor Levine Cava and her administrative team to meet with her before the second budget hearing to discuss the following issues: 1. The position of Chief Bay Officer; 2. The need to increase funding for the Reasonable Assurance Plan 3. The need to prioritize the bay and environmental-related issues; 4. The need to increase funding for parks located within County Commission District 8; and 5. The need to advertise to inform the public of the availability of funds through the Homes Plan. Commissioner Higgins commented on the issue of increased housing costs and the importance of focusing on balancing and managing property taxes to benefit homestead property owners rather than commercial owners. She emphasized the County needed to ensure it collected sufficient property taxes to support its programs and the delivery of services; and noted her support for funding to Legal Services to provide eviction protection; and funding for the Renter’s Assistance Program. Additionally, Commissioner Higgins requested an increase in the staffing for the Office of Housing Advocacy. Commissioner Cabrera made the following requests: 1. To prioritize public safety services; 2. To increase the staffing level in the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) to improve the County’s permitting process; 3. To establish four (4) additional neighborhood enhancement teams; 4. To increase the funding allocation for escalator and elevator repairs and improvements at the airports; 5. To increase funding for the Renter’s Assistance Program from the $27 million carryover funds that remained unallocated from the Homes Plan; 6. To ensure that the Renter’s Assistance Program was properly promoted; 7. To add $1 million to the funding allocation of UMSA’s landscaping and maintenance program to increase the cycles to 17; and 8. To review County Commission District 6’s need for roadway improvements such as sidewalks, roadway resurfacing, and traffic calming devices. Commissioner Cabrera noted that the optimal landscaping and maintenance cycle level was 20 annual cycles at an approximate additional cost of $700,000. He also expressed concern about the proposed millage rate and spoke about the importance of ensuring homeowners could afford to pay their property taxes. Commissioner Cabrera noted that the Board needed to prioritize and protect residents from contractors' abuse. Commissioner Garcia commended Mayor Levine Cava for her work and investment in the County’s parks and the emphasis on public safety-related issues to ensure the community’s protection and safety. Commissioner Garcia advised the following issues were his priorities: 1. The proposed one percent (1%) millage rate reduction; 2. The lack of metrics to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and departments to support budgetary increases; 3. The lack of funding in the area of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and education since Miami remained the leader in the number of HIV cases; 4. The need for more economic development to help grow and maintain the middle class; 5. The insufficient funding allocation to incentivize the film industry program and promote the community; and 6. The lack of planning for the projected UMSA budget deficit for the next fiscal year; Commissioner Garcia requested the budget include a $1 million funding allocation to continue HIV research and education and expressed support for the proposed millage rate reduction. Vice Chairman Rodriguez congratulated the Mayor for preparing a responsible budget and cutting back the community-based organizations (COBs) since funding for them should be a one-time application through the federal government. He pointed out that County Commission District 8 was comprised entirely of UMSA with various social services issues in need of attention. Vice Chairman Rodriguez commented on the importance of the Board’s role in ensuring the County’s core services were fully funded. Chairman Gilbert III commented that government should be efficient and finding efficiencies in a government this size was essential. He pointed out it was important to identify efficiencies through a long-term plan or attrition rather than layoffs to avoid larger concerns such as housing and crime problems, and it could all be accomplished through discussions. Chairman Gilbert III stated that he hoped to accomplish a budget that would move the County as a community; and the proposed budget recognized the community’s need for mass transit, the County’s commitment to the corridors, and the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan. Chairman Gilbert III commented on the need to decrease housing costs so as not to affect the County’s growth, and noted that the County could go so by increasing density since there was not much land left to develop. Additionally, he commented on the importance of the film production industry to economic development and job creation. Chairman Gilbert III stated that the Board needed to create a Miami-Dade County that was welcoming and accessible to everyone, and every County budget should be forward-looking.

Legislative Text

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and Members, Board of County Commissioners From:Daniella Levine Cava

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
This information has been prepared to accompany the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Budget Ordinances for your consideration at the first budget hearing on September 7, 2023. As this memorandum was not provided to the Board at least four business days prior to the First Budget Hearing as required by section 2-1795(d)(5) of the County Code and Rule 9.01(f) of the Board�s Rules of Procedure, a waiver of these requirements is required.

The FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget (Proposed Budget) includes the lowest combined property tax rate since 1982, while maintaining service levels and making major investments in our community�s key priorities ��including housing, transit, public safety, small business, the environment, our families, and our seniors.�This budget will provide immediate relief to struggling residents through a nearly $19 million tax cut, while at the same time investing over $500 million to tackle the affordable housing crisis and build and retain housing people can afford. And while negotiations with our unions continue to progress, the Proposed Budget also provides sufficient funding for a proposed 3 percent cost of living adjustment effective April 1, 2024 ��which would provide relief to the workforce that sustains critical County services, and is essential to ensuring the County can continue to attract and retain employees in a highly competitive labor environment.

This year�s proposed budget is balanced, compassionate, and responsible ��continuing last year�s historic tax cut, ensuring the County can continue to provide essential services to our community now and in years ahead, and building a more resilient, future-ready Miami-Dade.

I. Executive Summary

This document details adjustments identified since the submittal of the Proposed Budget on July 14, 2023.

The Proposed Budget reflects our community�s priorities and maintains critical services with a decrease to the countywide rate (millage), while also investing in building a stronger, more resilient economy and community. Key priorities funded in the budget support a continued focus on affordable housing and resilience, our long-term economic recovery, public safety for all neighborhoods, and partnerships with community organizations, just to name a few. We are confident that with the additional changes reflected in this memo, the Proposed Budget lays the foundation for a more prosperous and secure future for Miami-Dade where all families and communities can thrive.

This memo is divided into the following sections:

I. Background: This section provides additional context on key considerations in developing the proposed budget, including the millage rate and a proposed new department.
II. Proposed Budget Highlights: This section highlights some of the key items in the Proposed Budget that differ from the current Fiscal Year 2022-23 County budget.
III. Recommended Changes: This section outlines all recommended changes to the Proposed FY 2023-24 Budget released on July 14, 2023, which includes general fund and other funding adjustments, department-specific adjustments, capital budget updates, recommended fee adjustments, and additional community-based investments.

II. Background

A. Millage Rate

The proposed FY 2023-24 budget presents a one percent reduction for the countywide millage rate ��the lowest combined property tax rate since 1982-83. This is a significant cut, totaling $18.7 million for taxpayers and providing immediate relief to property owners, but a prudent one that maintains and strengthens essential County services. Making any steeper millage cuts now would not be fiscally responsible as we prepare for major upcoming expenses including the implementation of the constitutional offices in FY 2024-25, and significant, needed capital investments further detailed below.

Our proposed millage rate reduction provides relief to taxpayers now while ensuring the County can continue to balance the budget and provide critical services this year and in years ahead.

B. Future Obligations

The Proposed Budget addresses the needs of our residents this year and in future years. It is imperative that we keep in mind unmet and future needs as details of the budget are analyzed and ultimately adopted to have a more complete fiscal picture. The departmental narratives include sections that outline the unmet needs; additionally there are items not included in departmental narratives or considered in our five-year plans, primarily due to the fact that these fiscal impacts cannot be determined at this time. Some of these issues are outlined below:

* Civic Center Masterplan � the facilities in the Civic Center area are outdated and need renovation. The County is in the process of completing the Criminal Court and Correctional Facilities Master Plan that will focus on the criminal justice system and operational needs of the stakeholders; Miami-Dade Corrections, Administrative Office of the Courts, State Attorney�s Office, Public Defender�s Office, Clerk of the Court and Comptroller and the Medical Examiner Department. The Internal Services Department will continue to plan and design next fiscal year, the ultimate solution that will be brought back to the board for consideration.
* Capital Projects ��The replacement jail, mental health facility, and waste to energy plant are additional upcoming major capital projects that will each require a significant infusion of funding.
* The Countywide Infrastructure Investment Program (CIIP) has been very successful in addressing many issues in the County�s facilities. Staff is in the process of hiring a consultant, through the EDP program, to provide an assessment of County buildings and assets. This assessment may require additional resources as we deal with sea level rise and other issues.
* Constitutional Offices � on January 7, 2025, the constitutional offices of the Elections Supervisor, Tax Collector, Sheriff, and Property Appraiser will be established. We are in the process of developing a transition plan for these new offices and for transition of certain functions to the County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller (�County Clerk�). During the recent legislative session, two bills were signed into law that directly impact the implementation of Amendment 10. The legislation prohibits counties from creating, budgeting or duplicating activities for any function that is under the statutory purview of these offices. Additionally, one of the bills deal exclusively with police services and among other things, provides for a transition of these services to the elected office.

II. Proposed Budget Highlights

A. Proposed Organizational Changes
The FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget includes certain organizational changes to ensure the proper alignment of functions under the County and the respective future constitutional offices. These include the following:
Bond Administration: The authority to issue debt rests with the Board of County Commissioners. Therefore, the County�s Department�s Bond Administration Division will be transferred from the Finance Department to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as part of the FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget. The transfer of this division will facilitate a more seamless transition of the Finance Department to the County Clerk.
Payroll: The Human Resources Department�s Payroll & Garnishments Unit is responsible for completion of the payroll process, issuance of payments related to payroll transactions, wire transfers, reconciliation of payroll transactions, maintenance of employee direct deposit information and garnishments. This unit will be transferred to the Finance Department in preparation for the future transition to the County Clerk.
B. Collective Bargaining

We are currently amid Labor negotiations. As a part of this collaboration with the Collective Bargaining Units, the Proposed Budget includes a three percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) effective April 1, 2024, for the County�s workforce who work daily to provide vital services and programs our residents and visitors depend on. This proposal is essential to incentivize the retention of existing employees and promote the hiring of new ones. The County, like employers locally and nationwide, facing ongoing challenges with hiring � including key positions such as public safety classifications due to the county not being competitive with adjoining counties that are responsible for providing the same services.

C. Pay Plan

Attached to Agenda Item H is the Pay Plan which contains the rates of pay for all non-bargaining unit and bargaining unit employees. The Pay Plan includes the addition of new classifications, the abolition of obsolete classifications and occupational code and title changes. The pay rates reflected in the Pay Plan will be administered in accordance with the provisions of the Living Wage Ordinance 99-44 and the terms and conditions of the applicable bargaining unit agreements. Finally, a second version of the Pay Plan, will be released after the adoption of the budget that will include any details, as required and by the board as part of the budget.

D. HOMES Plan

The HOMES Plan (�Plan�), approved by the Board of County Commissioners in the FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget, is a historic $82 million investment in a full suite of programs to provide relief to struggling homeowners and renters, create more housing that people can afford by bringing new units online in the immediate short term and build and preserve much-needed affordable and workforce housing.��

The comprehensive, multi-year Plan is being administered by Public Housing and Community Development (PHCD), Community Action and Human Services (CAHSD), and the Homeless Trust, and a detailed update on the various HOMES programs and the status of each is outlined in this section. As we continually seek to optimize these programs to distribute the funds for maximum impact in our community, administering staff recommends some needed adjustments also further detailed below.��

Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing Grant (NOAH) Program: �Led by PHCD, the $9 million NOAH Grant Program is dedicated to owners or developers of rental properties in need of rehabilitation allowing them to apply for grant funding to assist with improvements to their properties. In accordance with Resolution No. R-529-22, the County committed $1 million as a direct grant to the Dade Heritage Trust to preserve an architecturally significant structure as affordable housing in the City of Miami. PHCD faced challenges with hiring a contractor to oversee the funds which delayed the start of the Program, and has reassigned staff to manage the program in-house. The Department�released a competitive $8 million Request for Applications (RFP) centered on small and medium sized affordable housing developments�projects of fewer than�20 units with the maximum allocation of $300,000 per project�and received 16 applications, which commits approximately $1.2 million in new affordable housing renovation and preservation projects. PHCD is issuing a subsequent�RFP in September 2023 with a 50-unit cap and an expanded allocation of $1.25 million per project, which will completely commit the remaining NOAH funds.�
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Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Expansion: To provide rental relief to struggling residents, the County committed $8 million to continue the enormously successful ERAP program after all federal funding had been allocated. Administered by PHCD, the expanded ERAP�Program has been fully committed after assisting 781 households with rent and utility assistance across the County. There are still 1,789 ERAP applications pending review expected to total $5.5 million in assistance. Given the significant ongoing need for emergency rental relief across our community, $4.741 million is being transferred from the WHIP Unit Conversion and WHIP Section 8 funds to ERAP pursuant to the Mayor�s authority to re-allocate funds�laid out in the WHIP enabling resolution.��
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With the re-allocated funds, PHCD will prioritize the existing waitlist with a preference for existing applications under eviction. Applicants will be contacted to provide proof of eligibility. The transferred funds are not expected to fully cover the need for all applicants on the waitlist; however, if PHCD finds that there are still available funds after addressing the existing applications, the portal will open for new applications. All funds are expected to be expended by December 31, 2023.�

Workforce Housing Incentive Program (WHIP): WHIP is a pilot grant program approved by the Board of County Commissioners to address the County�s affordability crisis and geared to provide rent stabilization. Overseen by PHCD, WHIP has two separate components:�
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* WHIP Unit Conversion provides landlords and unit owners with properties with a grant for providing quality affordable and workforce housing to households at 30% to 140% Area Median Income (AMI). This Program has received 1,095 applications which are currently under review. �The Program will process for payment at least 465 of these applications by September 30, 2023. �The Program has a high approval rate of about 87%. Based on the applications submitted, PHCD estimates that $6.98 million has been committed assuming that they are funded for three years.� The funding for WHIP Unit Conversion has been adjusted to $7 million, and the remaining $3 million transferred to ERAP.�
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* WHIP Section 8 provides an incentive for landlords to lease up new units in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program to provide residents with a long-term affordability solution. This novel Program has received 714 applications for FY 2022-2023. The initial Program language only incentivized new landlords not new units.� PHCD has expanded the Program to address the challenges current voucher and new voucher holders face when looking for a new unit. The Section 8 program has over 1,500 lease-ups each year with tenants and applicants often facing lengthy searches, and in some cases being unable to utilize their vouchers. To additionally incentivize new units � meaning units that were not under contract with Section 8 for FY 2021-2022 � PHCD recently changed the language for the Program. Landlords will now receive the incentive for each new unit that goes under contract as of October 1, 2022, and each unit can only receive the $2,000 incentive once.� With this change, PHCD is projecting commitments of $3.47 million. Given that the Program processed about 480 moves within the last three months with most being 'new units', it is expected that the Program could bring on 1,500 additional units during the next three years. Accordingly, the funding for WHIP Section 8 has been adjusted to $3.47 million, and the remaining $2 million has transferred to ERAP and the Eviction Diversion Pilot Program.�

Of the projected unencumbered remaining WHIP funds, $4.741�million were transferred to ERAP as per the enabling resolution to address the high demand experienced for emergency rental assistance, and $259,000 for the Eviction Diversion Pilot Program.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP): WAP provides energy conservation to eligible homeowners and is overseen by CAHSD. CAHSD contracted a vendor, Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida, Inc. (NHSSF), to administer the Program and weatherize at least 180 homes throughout the County. As of August 2023, 75% of the funds have been obligated, and 784 homeowners who have expressed interest in the WAP have been contacted, 150 applications have been accepted, resulting in the weatherization of 61 homes.� Beginning in September 2023, two additional NHSSF subcontractors will be assisting with the installation of new energy efficient air conditioning units, water heaters, kitchen appliances, and attic insulation. Staff estimates that approximately 94 homes will be upgraded by the end FY 2022-23 and 180 homes by February 2024.�

Mortgage Relief Program (MRP): Administered by CAHSD, MRP provides Miami-Dade County homeowners who are experiencing hardship and struggling to pay their mortgage, insurance, and utility bills. After a lengthy solicitation process, NHSSF was selected to provide project management and administrative support for the Program. The contract was executed in February 2023 and the Program began in April 2023. As of August 2023, approximately 1,745 MRP applications have been received, 144 are being processed for payment, and 23 have been paid. �

To expedite the processing and payment of the high number of MRP applications, CAHSD staff will be utilized to enhance the efforts of NHSSF. In addition, CAHSD suggests increasing the maximum benefit per household from $1,500 to $3,500 which would be more impactful to residents struggling to pay past due mortgage payments, homeowner�s insurance, HOA fees, and utilities. Additional relief is especially needed to alleviate the burden of rising insurance costs as the increased frequency of natural disasters in Florida continues to inflate insurance premiums.�Furthermore, since many of the smaller insurance companies offering homeowner�s policies are not registered as Florida corporations (Sunbiz.org) as required by the County, relaxing this rule would allow residents who hold policies with these insurers to benefit from MRP. With additional staff resources to process the pending applications and the recommended programmatic changes, staff anticipates an uptick in funds distributed in FY 2023-24. �

Development Inflation Adjustment Fund: The Development Inflation Adjustment Fund committed $15 million to assist affordable housing developments impacted by the rising cost of construction due to supply chain issues and inflation. In November 2022, PHCD released an RFP for the Program, reviewed, and awarded funding to 15 affordable housing developments, which totaled 2,418 units (1,182 construction relief units and 1,236 development relief units).�All $15 million has been obligated. �

Permanent Supportive Housing:�The County committed $10 million to the Homeless Trust to create new permanent supportive housing projects. Of the $10 million, $2.1 million is obligated for the�use and renovation of a County owned parcel in western Miami-Dade and $7.9 million is programmed for a hotel to housing conversion that is currently under legislative review.�

Eviction Diversion Pilot Program: The County has committed $259,000�in recaptured WHIP Unit Conversion funds�to the Eviction Diversion Pilot Program using the authority in the WHIP enabling resolution to serve residents at 80% AMI through direct legal assistance, outreach, and education services. �
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HOMES Plan Update (as of August 2023)�
Program� Amount Funded� Total Committed� % Committed� NOAH Grant� $9,000,000� $2,002,500� 22%� ERAP Expansion� $8,000,000� $8,000,000� 100%� WHIP Section 8� $3,477,000� $3,477,000� 100%� WHIP Unit Conversion� $7,000,000� $6,980,700� 99%� Weatherization Assistance Program� $3,000,000� $2,250,000� 75%� Mortgage Relief Program�� $21,900,000� $2,343,000� 11%�� Development Inflation Adjustment Fund� $15,000,000� $15,000,000� 100%� ERAP Expansion - WHIP Recapture�� $4,741,000� $4,741,000� 100%� Eviction Diversion - WHIP Recapture � $259,000� $259,000� 100%� Permanent Supportive Housing � $10,000,000� $10,000,000� 100%�
E. Recommended Fee Adjustments
The Self-Supporting Budget Ordinance (Agenda Item H) includes the proposed fee changes included in the Proposed Budget. Fee adjustments include charges for the Aviation Department (rental and other charges), Cultural Affairs (various fees), Fire Rescue (fire prevention fees), PROS (fees for park services), Regulatory and Economic Resources (various fees), Seaport (various fees and contractual adjustments), Solid Waste Management (residential household rate), DTPW (various fees), and the Water and Sewer Department (various fees). A memorandum detailing the various fees changes was provided to the Board on August 31, 2023. These fee schedules have all been included as reflected in the revenues of the Proposed Budget.
III. Recommended Changes to the Proposed Budget

The attached ordinances have been adjusted for technical changes, corrections of scriveners� errors, corrections of appropriation posting errors and current estimates of grants. Cash carryover for proprietary funds has been adjusted where appropriate. Waiver of various code provisions and resolutions are recommended, including waiver of section 29-7(G) of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida (�Code�) relating to the use of Documentary Stamp Surtax and waiver of Resolution No. R-924-08 relating to transit fares, fees and charges because we are not recommending increasing fares.

A. Operating Budget Adjustments

Animal Services (ASD)
After the release of the Proposed Budget, ASD was awarded a grant from the Florida Legislature in the amount of $250,000 to provide a behavioral modification and training program to reduce the number of shelter dogs euthanized due to behavioral issues and to get them ready for adoption. Like communities nationwide, Miami-Dade is facing a crisis of surrendered animals, and ASD is committed to tackling this crisis and to finding innovative solutions so that all animals in our care can be safe and comfortable. The FY23-24 proposed budget also includes $2 million dedicated to enhanced and expanded animal services to reduce our shelter population, increase adoptions, and increase spay and neuter services.

Aviation (MDAD)
After the release of MDAD�s Proposed Budget, the Board approved via Resolution No. R-699-23, on July 18, 2023, Contract No. EVN0000037, which was awarded to Schindler Elevator Corporation for the purchase of maintenance and repair services for conveyance equipment at MDAD. Contract No. EVN0000037 replaces Contract No. E-10230, which was awarded as an emergency contract on June 9, 2022, and expires on September 9, 2023. The allocation under the replacement contract is higher than the current contract due to the high volume of anticipated repairs and modernization services needed to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the conveyance equipment. The higher allocation under the replacement contract, resulted in an increase of $17.774 million to MDAD�s FY 2023-24 operating expenses for the maintenance and repair services of conveyance equipment. In addition, pursuant to the requirements of MDAD�s Trust Agreement, the operating reserve account was increased by $3.021 million or 17% of the incremental operating expenses, for a total increase in FY 2023-24 operating expenditures of $20.796 million. The increase in MDAD�s FY 2023-24 operating expenditures is being offset by an increase in revenues of $20.796 million from MDAD�s reserves, comprised of $14.501 million from American Rescue Plan Act grant funds and $6.295 million from the Improvement Fund transfer funds.
Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD)
CAHSD requires a budget adjustment pursuant to a notice of award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that Head Start/Early Head Start will be receiving an additional $6,729,334 for the program year of August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024, to pay for a cost of living adjustment and quality improvements. This additional funding will increase the FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget for Head Start/Early Head Start from $85,070,000 to $91,799,334.
Elections
The Elections Department requires a budget adjustment to include additional costs related to a special election for Florida House of Representative District 118 in the amount of $588,000 that will be funded through a reimbursement from the State.
Public Housing and Community Development
When the FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget was released on July 14, 2023, the three percent COLA starting on April 1st, 2024, had not been calculated for PHCD. The Department�s budget requires a budget adjustment to include the COLA of $414,000 and will be funded from Federal grants.
Regulatory and Environmental Resources (RER)
The FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget for RER�s Office of Resilience (OOR) fund G3015 will be revised to reflect formula grant funding in the amount of $1,134,700 from the federal Department of Energy (DOE) for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program for a bulk purchasing Solar Cooperative (Solarize) Campaign project in Miami-Dade County.
The grant funding over a two-year period ($509,581.39 for FY 2023-24 and $609,581.39 for FY 2024-25) will be used to incorporate new elements into two Solar Cooperative Campaigns that follow all four key activities of DOE�s Solarize Campaign Blueprint and: (1) expand engagement with and recruit low-to-moderate income (LMI) homeowner participants who will be part of the regular solar cooperatives (2) provide these LMI homeowners with educational opportunities and individualized assistance as needed, and (3) provide 5kW solar system installations to forty-four (44) of the participating LMI households at no cost. The program will be designed to help these homeowners see day-one monthly electric bill savings.
B. Capital Budget Adjustments
Corrections
The Jail Management System, capital program # 388610 was inadvertently omitted from the Department�s FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget and Multi-Year Capital Plan and is critical to the Department, as it will streamline inmate processes that makes real-time inmate information available to all users, and to our ongoing efforts to achieve compliance under the consent decree. The total project cost is estimated at $6 million and is being partially funded with Future Financing proceeds ($2 million) and from a $4 million settlement agreement from the previous application developer for services not rendered (Resolution R-675-22).
Transportation and Public Works (DTPW)
After the release of the Proposed Budget and Multi-Year Capital Plan, DTPW is requesting changes to the following capital programs:
* Capital Project #3002065 - State Road 836 Express Bus Service Panther Station requires a revision to the FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget of an additional $328,000 for a revised total of $1.106 million funded out of the People�s Transportation Plan (PTP) Bond Program. This revision is required to accommodate contractual obligations for architectural and engineering professional services and will not increase the total capital project budget as these expenses were originally planned to occur in FY 2024-25 (Capital Program #6730101 � Bus Enhancements).
* Capital Project #3002564 - South Dade Area Bus Maintenance Facility requires a multi-year appropriation increase of $20.691 million, funded through the PTP Bond Program, for a revised project total of $268.500 million. These funds are necessary to accommodate electric bus charging equipment and will be allocated in future years beginning in FY 2024-25. (Capital Program #2000001321 � Bus � New South Dade Maintenance Facility).
* A new capital project #3008262 - Onboard Digital Video Recorder System is required to replace the existing bus and mover video recording systems that are outdated. The total project cost is $1.056 million with $352,000 programmed in FY 2023-24. The capital project will be funded with a Security grant allocation from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (Capital Program #2000000326 � Federally Funded Projects).
* Capital Project #3002473 - Metrorail Traction Power Switchgear Replacement requires a budget revision of $501,000 in FY 2023-24 for repairs to the existing external lighting protection system and fiber optics network, which protect the switchgear equipment. The increase will be funded out of the PTP Bond Program. The total capital project budget will increase to $5.5 million from the proposed $4.999 million. (Capital Program #2000000104 � Metrorail � Stations and Systems Improvements).
* A new capital project #3008263 � Building Recertification Program is required that reduces the inspection cycle from 40 to 30 years. . The components of the program include engineering and related construction of capital improvements to transit facilities which support fixed rail rapid transit and bus systems. The total project cost is $7.822 million with $1.822 million programmed in FY 2023-24. The capital project will be funded with PTP Bonds (Capital Program #677200 � Infrastructure Renewal Plan (IRP)).
* Capital Project #3001571 - Phase 2 Hammocks Trail requires a revision of $1.410 million to the FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget for a revised total of $2.702 million funded out of Road Impact Fees. The total project cost will not increase as these expenses were originally planned to occur in FY 2022-23. (Capital Program #672670 � The Underline).
C. Position Adjustments
In some instances, the above recommendations and correction of errors will adjust the number of positions in the FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget. These adjustments and correction of errors increase the total number of recommended full-time equivalents by two for a total of 30,807. Revisions to the tables of organization are outlined in Attachment A.

D. Promotional Funding
As required by Administrative Order 7-32, Attachments B and C to this memorandum are the reports on Airport and Seaport promotional funds.