Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners SECOND BUDGET HEARING

>> will in and all and will you so you will . >>. [Recess] If everyone could stand up for the pledge of allegiance . Rabbi. >> the invocation, thank you. Almighty GOD we thank you for bringing us together this evening as one community. Leaders commissioners, nonprofits , first responders, families and neighbors. United with the purpose serving miami-dade. We thank you for blessing us mayor, and with the commissioners who give so much of themselves led by CHAIRMAN Anthony rodriguez and joined by all the commissioners here tonight. They sit and delivery to help this county , to make it truly a beacon of light to the world. We also thank you for the devoted staff of office of management and budget who labored tirelessly to turn vision into action. MAY we know your wisdom and fulfill your purpose. Tonight every segment of our community is represented, first responders, community leaders, nonprofits, families of special needs and it's so heartwarming to see this unity, this law and this compassion. Bless our leaders with wisdom integrity and strength. MAY they always remember behind every number on the budget is a person, a family , a life. I want to thank you for your strong support , for everyone to live in freedom and peace and tranquility. And now I recall the words of the blessings from the priestly blessings MAY GOD bless you and guide you, MAY GOD shine his face upon you and be gracious to you, MAY GOD lift his faith to you and grant us peace, let us say amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under GOD indivisible with liberty and justice for all . >>chair: thank you rabbi and thank you for accepting my invitation to. All right, please silence your cell phones, that is part of my remarks but my remarks will come later so I ask at this time please silence your cell phones. Mme. Richard is it I order for your statements to be read prior to the public hearing. >> yes, we have a number of procedural things we need to deal with MR. Chair, the mayor has issued a mmorandum titled supplemental for second budget hearing , dated SEPTEMBER 12, 2025, this has been added to the agenda. You all should have received copies. The supplement will further amend the members memorandum for second budget hearing already on your agenda and a copy of the memo will be provided to the clerk of the board. Tonight the clerk will adopt millage rates, set fees and other charges and adopt budgets for miami-dade county for fiscal year 2526, there are the ordinances in this regard, the ordinance does is to be considered are item a, ordinance approving docking and ratifying millage for the countywide general fund operating purposes for fiscal year commencing OCTOBER 1 and ending SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 levying all taxes so provided providing severability pollution from the code and an effective date and the budget director has a statement. Millage I 4.75 mils is 7.57% above the state defined rollback rate of 4.252 . The proposed millage rate generates revenue to support services including the proposed budget including a plan cost of living adjustment increase from the florida retirement system to the maintenance of effort funding for general systems. >> item b adopts and ratifies the millage for countywide bonded debt service for the fiscal year OCTOBER 1, 2025 and ending SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 levying all taxes provided providing severability exclusion from the code and an effective date and the budget director has a statement. >> the debt service millage rate is for 174 mils, 3228 mils for countywide debt service including building better communities bond program safe neighborhood parks program and .0943 mils for the public health trust jackson miracle bond building bond program. >> ioc approves and adopt the countywide general fund budget for miami-dade county fiscal year commencing OCTOBER 1 and ending SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 providing a short title incorporating the fiscal year 26 proposed budget as amended , operating all budget revenues and expenditures authorizing the investment of county funds in a time oriented, authorizing the transfer of cash advances pending receipt of taxes. Authorizing deposited interest to the general fund ratifying and approving and limiting orders and other actions which set these rates and charges. Authorizing fees rates and charges consistent with appropriations and providing their amendment and athorizing subsequent amendments high resolution, authorizing the mayor or designee to negotiate and execute certain funding agreements provisions of the code and resolutions requiring execution actually affidavits for nonprofits receiving certain county funding amending section 143 of the code, relating to reorganization of the county administrative departments amending or rescinding if necessary areas actions of the code applicable implementing orders and other legislative enactments to conform such enactments to the fiscal year 26 budget. Superseding conflicting provisions of prior eactments and providing severability exclusion from the code and inclusion in the code and an effective date. Vitamin d is an ordinance approving and ratifying millage for unincorporated municipal service operating purposes or the fiscal year commencing OCTOBER 2025 and ending SEPTEMBER 30 or the fiscal year commencing OCTOBER 2025 and ending SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 levying all taxes providing severability exclusion from the code and an effective date in the budget director has a statement. Municipal area millage is 1.909 mils which is 7.37% above the state defined rollback rate of 1.77 above the state defined rollback rate of 1.779. The proposed millage rate generates revenue to support the services included in the proposed budget plan cost of living adjustment and increased for the retirement fund system. >>-eof booth and not the unincorporated municipal service area for miami-dade county or the fiscal year commencing OCTOBER 1 and ending SEPTEMBER 30. Providing a short title incorporating the fiscal year 26 proposed budget as amended, operating all budget revenues and expenditures authorizing investment of county funds, authorizing the transfer of funds as cash advances in the receipt grid authorizing deposited interest earned to the general fund ratifying confirming and approving and lamenting orders and other actions that these raisin charges. Authorizing fees rates and charges consistent with appropriations and providing and authorizing subsequent amendments by resolution recognizing the unincorporated municipal service area authorizing the mayor or mayor's designee to negotiate and execute certain funding agreements, waiting for fiscal year 25-26 county affidavits for nonprofits receiving certain county funding, amending waving or rescinding sections of the code applicable implementing orders and other legislative enactments conform such to fiscal year 25-26 budget superseding conflicting enactments, providing severability exclusion from the code and an effective date, item f ratifies the millage for miami-dade fire rescue operating services for fiscal year commencing OCTOBER 1, 2025 and ending SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 levying all taxes so provided recognizing and continuing miami-dade fire rescue service at writing severability exclusion from the code and an effective date of the budget director has a statement. District operating millage is 2.396 >> fire rescue service district operating millage is 2.3965 mils which is 7.99% over the state defined rollback rate of 2.21 over the state defined rollback rate of 2.2191 mils. Proposed millage rate generates revenue to support services included in your proposed budget including additional units, plan cost-of-living and contractual adjustments and an increase for the florida retirement system. >> item g adopts and ratifies the millage for miami-dade library system operating purposes for your commencing OCTOBER 1, and ending SEPTEMBER 30 levying all taxes so provided recognizing and continuing miami-dade library system providing severability exclusion from the code and an effective date and the budget director has a state. >> the proposed miami-dade library system operating millage is.2812 mils which is 7.7% above the state defined rollback rate of.2609 mils. The proposed millage rate generates revenue to support the services included in the proposed budget and plan cost-of-living adjustment and increase for the florida retirement system. >>-eightapproves and ratifies proprietary budgets special assessment budgets and other markets of miami-dade county fiscal year commencing OCTOBER 1 and ending SEPTEMBER 30. Providing a short title incorporating fiscal year 20 2526 budget amendments, operating all budget revenues and expenditures authorizing investment of county funds, authorizing transfer of funds as cash advances, pending receipt of taxes or other revenues ratifying and improving orders and other actions of the board which set fees rates and charges. Authorizing fees rates and charges consistent with appropriations and providing their amendment approving and implement the orders for various departments and authorizing subsequent amendments by resolution or improving fiscal year they plan authorizing allocations of bond proceeds and interest earnings authorizing mayor or mayor's designee to provide bond issue reserves establishing such MAY be approved during the fiscal year and providing for their expenditure, approving contribution funds authorizing mayor's designee to negotiate and execute funding agreements authorizing the designee to apply for certain brands continuing municipal services fund authorizing disbursement from the environmentally endangered lands acquisition funds to supplement the lands management trust fund pursuant to section 2450.5 of code. Weaving the fiscal year section 2970 of the code related to allocation of documentary surtax funds provisions of section 25.2 related to the required balance of eeo land management trust and disbursements therefrom visions of section 24 b 40 of the code to allow funds deposited in the biscayne bay environmental enhancement trust fund to be used for certain studies where it is reasonable assurance plan provisions of section 218 034 of the code requiring recommendations for building is in the advisory committee, the use of surplus funds for certain projects provisions of the code and resolutions regarding execution of affidavits or profits receiving certain county funding, section 20 5b requiring deposits into the ludlum trail improvement district trust fund resolution are 454 25 requiring 11.4 million into the ludlum trail improvement district trust fund resolution are 454 25 requiring $11.4 million in countywide non-departmental expenditures for wage reserve. Amending or rescinding area sections of the code for implement orders and other legislative enactments to conform such enactments to fiscal year 25-26 budget to proceeding conflicting provisions of prior legislative enactments providing severability exclusion from the code and an effective date. MR. Chair also I have received word budget director as additional proposed changes to be read into the record. Is that appropriate at this time? >>chair: sorry, I was being spoken to. >> I understand. >> can you review these. >> at the budget director has some additional changes that he needs to read into the record, would you like them to do it now? >> go ahead. >> the following are commitments for the information for second budget hearing memorandum disputing to the board SEPTEMBER >> the following ae commitments for the information for second budget hearing memorandum disputing to the board SEPTEMBER 2025. The attached implementing order four b 123 for the miami-dade fire prevention fee schedule is missing the following sections, section 13 on site plan review services, fee for review or simplified permitting projects as defined in section 515 932 florida statutes, a fee of two 6798 per fire plans for first hour shall be charged in addition to any applicable inspection as part of this fee schedule. Each additional hour or portion of the 98 per fire plan process. Cancel number 14, cancellation fee, the cancellation fee of 194 44 be charged for any inspection cancellations received on the day of the scheduled inspections. Changes to the boards SEPTEMBER 18 SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 special meeting the board considered the seaports request to purchase a fuel facility read as a result fiscal year 25-26 proposed budget seaport future financing fund c 999 should be amended to include an additional $200 million for the total future financing of 51, 5759. Additionally the budget should include capital program number 200 20000 2000005 2000005455 of 200 million for the purchase of this facility. >>chair: is that it? >> those are all the additional changes. I believe the mayor has some remarks, would you like to do that now. >>chair: I will recognize her in a minute but for those statements clarifications of all that in a second. With that MADAM Mayor please be recognized for some remarks . >>mayor cava: thank you very much CHAIRMAN, to our commissioners and all the residents here tonight, thank you everyone for taking time out of your busy lives to participate in this process and make your voices heard and this has been a long and difficult budget process and we are all thankful it is now nearing the end. We've had diverse meetings, town halls, conversations to get here but we've come out with a budget that is balanced and offers real solutions so I want to extend my gratitude to each and every one of you that participated and I'm thankful to the members of this board. We met extensively with all of you who have been willing to sit down with us and we've looked at this budget line by line and answered your questions as part of the normal budget process we do every year and I am thankful to our constitutional officers here with us tonight for your continued support and collaboration and to our residents who engaged with us every step of the way. Thank you to you MR. CHAIRMAN or your support negotiating with the constitutional offices to ensure every possible dollar is returned and of course I'm grateful to our incredible county staff in particular our office of management and budget worked around the clock for months to get this done and as mayor I want to be clear, it is my jb, my charter to lead our county organization and propose a balanced budget that provides for our communities essential needs and I am proud I was elected to do this job in the good times and hard times. Through hard work and hard choices we proposed a budget that is lean responsible in the future ready despite the unprecedented financial constraints this county has faced this year. We closed a $400 million gap without reducing core government services and without raising the property tax rate. We did so by aggressively seeking efficiencies, streamline functions, we modified nonessential services, we reduced departmental budgets on the general fund 10 to 20% and froze hiring except for critical physicians the first budget. We announce the elimination of the proposed gas tax increase and presented lower solid waste and water and sewer fees to ease the burden on our residents. We also are shifting the cost for air rescue to the miami-dade fire rescue tax district back to the general fund although I want to stress once again as we did at the first budget hearing the original proposed budget will have no impact on our ability to deliver top-notch fire rescue services and in fact we have made historic investments in staffing and units for the fire rescue department during my administration. The over $70 million in additional unspent funds from the constitutional offices that were returned to the county and more departmental adjustments. My administration has proposed restoring grant funding for community-based organizations and cultural grants. Last budget. >>mayor cava: continuing metro connect and providing funding for neighborhood enhancements so to be clear this is the result of hard work and collaboration. It was not magically finding money which some have suggested to mislead the public. Under this new budget process defined by the state the constitutional offices must return unspent funds by the end of the fiscal year, not earlier. This makes it difficult to plan how we will spend that but as those funds became available we have put them to good use investing in important community priorities so I'm extremely proud of what we have all done to produce a balanced air county budget that protects core services and continues to move u forward and we need to continue these efforts throughout the year so starting tomorrow we will be looking ahead for the same efficiency and savings and we face this reality again earlier so we will get started tomorrow MR. Chair. Over the past few weeks we've worked incredibly hard alongside the sport to address major concerns about the budget and it's important to keep in mind the approval of this budget works the start of the year in which we will continue to discuss the budget and our priorities. This will be an ongoing process as has been said every board meeting is a budget meeting. The process takes all of us working together to achieve the best possible outcome for the people of miami-dade so I hope tonight we can have a productive discussion as we work together to serve all our residents by passing this silly responsible balanced budget, thank you so much and let's work together to get across the finish line. >>chair: thank you MADAM Mayor, we do the waving thing. Thank you to everyone. I know it's been a late start to this evening given we had a special meeting wire to the budget meeting that went on longer than anticipated but I want to thank all of you for joining us for this second and final budget hearing and I want to thank the mayor and her administration, colleagues and everyone who came to our budget meeting to share their concerns . We heard you loud and clear and we've worked to make meaningful improvements since the proposal . This budget protects our core services and it is our responsibility to ensure taxpayers receive the services they dpend on while also making government more efficient. Our role is not just to highlight what we agree or disagree with but to find solutions and I am... That we did just that. As CHAIRMAN I made it a priority to lead by example beginning with reluctance to the office of the chairs budget and I scured more than $29 million. ... Struggling with rising costs. In closing I am proud of the progress we've made, passing this budget is not the end of our work, as mayor you just stated that we must continue to identify savings and make adjustments as we move into the midyear and before we open public hearing a quick reminder to all of you these be respectful, stay within your time limits. Thank you means your time is up . Direct all comments if any directly to the entire board of directors, not one commissioner by name, to the entire board of commissioners. Make sure you silence all electronics, I heard one as the mayor was speaking. And the one I thought I didn't have to mention it gets us every time is the clapping , we don't do the clapping, we do the waving thing in the chamber. We look to our commissioner bastien for a sample of what it looks like. Or off. All of that. So I know these are all, some of these topics will be sensitive for us and we are all passionate about it but stay within the guidance that we can have a respectful meeting with decor him and with that let's begin. I'm going to open up public hearing. When I call your name please state the item you are speaking on, your name and address and you will have one minute to speak. I am going to start with our constitutional officers present here today. I am going to start with clerk fernandez barquin followed by tax collector dariel fernandez, clerk and comptroller. >> one fernandez barquin, w. Flagler st. To 42. Good evening CHAIRMAN Vice CHAIRMAN Members of the board of county commission and members of the community, as your custodian investor and auditor of county funds I want to commend this bard for its continued efforts to streamline operations and identify more effective ways to meet the needs of our residents. I have witnessed the sacrifices made to strike a balance between meeting community needs and remaining fiscally responsible . As your fiscal steward I want to reaffirm the clerk of the court of comptroller's office has served as a strong and reliable partner to the county . Year after year this office has returned millions to the county and in some years has fully covered its costs with little to no county support. I am proud to continue this tradition. For fiscal year 2024 through 2025 my office will be returning $5.3 million which has been taken into consideration by the office of management and budget area these funds will play a ky role in helping restore services to impacted by this challenging budget cycle. Looking ahead my commitment is clear, the clerk of the court and comptroller's office will remain fiscally esponsible continue to enhance operational efficiencies and the transparency and safeguard the public trust, thank you. >>chair: thank you clerk and comptroller. >> CHAIRMAN Rodriguez, vice CHAIRMAN Mckee, miami-dade county residents I am your miami-dade tax collector and tonight I am proud to announce an additional 7.5 mllion that our office has given back to the residence. With the 6 million already announced that makes a total of 13.5 million total relief this year, in addition to the resolve we already delivered, 20 million in transfers facilitated by more than six months. 37 million in commission waivers in municipality and 5 million returned to umpsa families. We were entitled to give 5.3 million in new revenue confirmed this fiscal year. And this NOVEMBER our office will mail more than 1.5 million affirming residents a quick and easy way to spport community-based organizations and cultural programs but our work is not just about those, we eliminated online and work with law enforcement to fight human trafficking and crackdown on businesses tied to cuba and other state sponsors of terror . At the same time with more than 9.6 billion to police fire school and parks providing that this office is not just about collection, it is protecting our community. And now I will leave you with this. On JULY 17 I say miami-dade county does not have a revenue problem. It is, it has a spending problem. Since then you all have reduced advertising spending. Good programs and restore funding for the fire department. Yet there is more work to do. It is my hope this instrument will be used to restore our seniors and provide relief to our elderly population. Vulnerable seniors and people with disability have more affordable transportation. Reverse fees that hurt working families. Our duty is not to ask more from the people. It is to do more with less. That is how you honor taxpayers. GOD bless miami dde county and GOD bless the united states of america . >>chair: thank you tax collector. With that we are going to start calling him names, I don't have any other constitutional officers in the chamber. All right, let's start with one carlos gill. Lawrence bethel . Ernie martinez. James beckham and roy hardemon. >> my name is carlos gill, 2350 southwest >> my name is carlos gill, 2350 sw. 8th avenue and I'm here to support sts , and physically impaired visually impaired and I've point been part of the system as so many people around miami the county and with the increased budget it will be difficult for us to really ride sts. $.25 might not be nothing but imagine this. One person that goes every year to a program for people with disabilities, $.25 I over 90% of their budget especially because they are on fixed income so please do not increase sts area we need the services. County commissioners, mayor, comptroller you guys have been always for us, please help us again. We have a budget, if we could do something that would be great, thank you so much . >>chair: I've got lawrence bethel. That's not lawrence but that works . >>speaker: freda holmes, check your clerk's office for address of the district, I wanted to touch base briefly as you stop the clock because this is a thank you for kindness for applying for the americans with disabilities act, some of the seats they used to have al the disability speakers are at risk but you've created a section and I'm hoping that process and transportation will be just as accessible, ditto to the brothers behind me. I'm concerned I have not heard much about the resilience budget and I am more aware of what climate is doing to those of us that don't have prior transportation and I'm concerned hearing about the funding for the seniors who now have to pay for their own water and sewer so please pay close attention to that. We were supposed to be like california, they have a great program but now in my budget I have to find money to hook up my sewer, isn't that something in a civilized community so I'd like to thank you for taking the time to make us and thank you for considering our situation. >>chair: thank you MISS Holmes. >>speaker: my name is rev. Lawrence bethel , miami, fl 33170 and I'd like to thank all the commissioners and especially the mayor for being fiscally responsible thus far and constraining the county budget to provide services that might have been cut. We are transportation challenged. I had two strokes, my wife and I have mobility issues. Any change to the sts budget would be devastating for us. And I would just like for the commission to consider not going up in price for that service. It's always been timely. Always well managed and run. I would just like to thank the county for this consideration, thank you . >>chair: ernie martinez, I reside in district 10 and I'm here to talk about the same, sts. Did you know sts writers already pay more than regular bus riders? So now the county wants to raise our fares and spend $46 million on projects. That means that people with disabilities MAY not afford to get around to critical appointments, groceries or jobs. So I conclude a vote to raise fares is a vote to stand with the most vulnerable. Miami-dade should do better. >>chair: thank you sir. >> hello county commissioners and mayor, my name is james what he beckham. I live at 2756 day avenue >> hello county commissioners and mayor, my name is james what he beckham. I live at 2756 day avenue I wanted to talk about two budgetary issues. Some of the nonprofit funding that was cut. I hope that more of that funding it's restored to vital services in our community that are core services for many vulnerable people such as myself with disabilities otherwise and in addition to that I wanted to talk about the special transportation fare increases and transit changes. I think you should not increase any failures or any transit myers. I think there should be more investment in infrastructure that hs been lacking since the antitax went into effect over 20 years ago. They were supposed to increase the metrorail and services for the public. We need more people on transit, we need more options for transit so there are less people in cars on the road so I hope you don't put that burden on people with disabilities, thank you commissioners for your budget . >>chair: representative hardemon . >>speaker: good night CHAIRMAN, MADAM Mayor. Roy hardemon, former state representative , CHAIRMAN Of the advisory board and kudos to the mayor for her budget. We are looking forward to upgrading the 18th ave., broadway . Out of the business development . The business development dollars is a historical bus line , we want to try to get funded for that and also farm share because farm share means a lot to our community and we need them, thank you . >>chair: I'm going to call up some names. First to come up to each podium and others can line up on the center. I have alexa cuvee, carlos santiago . Go ahead . >>speaker: alexa cuvee, 301 four arts and culture. MADAM Mayor and commissioners thank you for standing up for the arts. For your intention to restore the budget and preserve the independence of the department of cultural affairs. It is also thanks to the leadership and unity of the miami artistic community we have proven that together we are strong. Now we purge all commissioners to advocate for dedicated funding for the arts. Ensuring long-term support for a strong culture that shapes better thinkers and better human beings. As you guessed , cast your votes today remain united in building a miami that celebrates its cultural and artistic richness, thank you for listening. >>chair: sir. >>speaker: carlos ortega 1943 1943 sw. 75th ter., miami 33193 . Hon. Mayor and commissioners. We are a nonprofit organization funded in 2008 in kendall. Over the past 17 years we have developed a dynamic multidisciplinary program that in some systems raised more than 60 60,000 annually. Today our economic reality limits this protection. The risk is greater , without the budget the cultural fabric of miami weakens and the survival of organizations like artifacts and many others now have reached a serious risk of disappearing behind compromise. For all these reasons our reality compels us to respectfully request the full restoration or increase of the budget allocated for the arts. >>chair: missed miriam singer. I understand you have several organizations that have registered to speak that are going to be giving you the time to speak on their behalf so I will have someone from my staff get with you to collect all their names and numbers so I can cross them off the list . >>speaker: yes MR. Chair and thank you, miriam singer, PRESIDENT And ceo of jewish community services of south florida and I'm here with representatives of over 100 committee-based organizations that provide safety net services in every zip code and every corner of our beloved community. We are here to thank you MR. Chair, thank you to the commissioners MADAM Mayor force restoring the funding at 100% for each of our agencies. We represent a beautiful collaborative partnership that enjoys a relationship with miami-dade county as long as the county has existed and been established. We look forward to continuing the partnership in service to the frail and vulnerable members of our community for many years to come and to devise solutions for a long standing support to cbo. Thank you for your support, thank you for your leadership, thank you for your hard work and getting us to this point. >>chair: thank you so much and thank you to the organizations providing their proxy so is it not just MS. Singer, that's what the understanding was for me, are we changing things up? >>speaker: I want to say we are all here. >>chair: I see all of you in pink and blue and black . >>speaker: we can stand with them and they want to be recognized . >>chair: it means a lot to all of us in the entire audience you are doing this, thank you, I'm glad we were able to fully fund that. Thank you all. Thank you for being here. There is school tomorrow, right? It's going to be bedtime soon. Bedtime for them, not for us. All right. Those that are exiting please exit quietly. I have natalie , nancy. I MAY pronounce these wrong. But as you understand your name to be natalie herrero, nancy , christina viola. Erin cover. Renc kevin jones. Ma'am. >> I live at 41 nw. 16th ave., miami 33125 in district 5. Here with christina b and all are here to represent the latest empowerment in action program also known as lee I want to begin by thanking the county for your past support of our work and for the partial reinstatement, we will be receiving for next year. I serve as the reentry director and I'm also proud to step for you as a graduate of the program myself. Links mission is to support formerly incarcerated individuals that return to the community giving them a second chance they deserve to rebuild their lives. Today I respectfully ask for your consideration in reinstating our funding so that we can continue to do this hard work. Your support we can help our women succeed strengthen families and make miami a safer community for everybody. You. >> my name is erin colbert 201 nw. 7th st. 33136. I'm here on behalf of miami water keeper, a local nonprofit who focuses on conservation and local waterways throughout south florida I'm here to urge you to vote no on and c-3 in the budget. On paper this item makes its own department again but in reality it strips the er on of its core permitting authority under chapter 24 which covers wetlands, coastal construction are more and more enhance that authority to the building department. That means environmental scientists would be sidelined while building officials decide matters that directly affect ecosystems and clean water. This last-minute change introduced less than 48 hours before the hearing creates chaos with no plan nor organizational chart and no safeguards. No major county in florida separates permitting from science and miami-dade should not be first. The er and needs more staff better technology and the answer is not stripping its authority please reject item 3 and restore full for permitting our two drm. >> renc behalf of miami-dade's arts and culture community I want to begin with gratitude. Thank you to the mayor and commission and chair for all the new proposals restoring arts and culture grants and giving the department of cultural affairs independent. These investments meet our cultural organizations are operations running strong and major projects can continue going forward. I also want to thank the thousands of voices that came out from miami dade who stood up for the arts. People filled the numerous town halls, artists, families, business leaders being one voice the arts matter and you all listen. The arts are not just about performances and exhibitions, they are about identity resilience and impact. Tonight I urge you to restore the arts funding in the independent department and to stand with us to collaborate on long-term solutions for the arts in the future. Because if we invest in the arts are investing in miami-dade's future and our jobs and community and in the soul of this county. Thank you. >>chair: real quick, I don't normally do this but we did restore the arts entirely, right? >>mayor cava: the amount allocated through the competitive process was fully restored as well as the restoration of an apartment. >>. >>chair: 100%. >> 1630 sw. 8th st. , manager for the arts and business council. Thank you mayor and members of the commission for allocating additional funding to the arts and cultural fund as an individual and part of a larger collective I know how deeply this restoration will benefit our community. As I urged us to work towards a long-term plan to strengthen the arts and culture in the years ahead the organizations and individuals behind me create opportunities for community connection and provide spaces that are scarce in miami-dade. Please support the arts because the arts in turn support at risk communities and enrich the identity and the economy of our city as a whole. >> good evening, nw. Street rd., district three. Thank you for providing your proposed budget to restore more dollars and arts and culture funding, thank you to the board worked alongside the mayor, and today I stand before you again knowing to urge you in addition to approve the already approved full funding to arts and culture as well as keeping the department of cltural affairs independent but also I yes to working with us your residence and communities to secure long-term sustainable funding or the arts and with this commitment and he will continue to rise as world-class destination and cultural capital we know it to be. Arts and culture is not an investment, I promise you all the dollars invested in the arts are to the future and they will not return to your void. >> thank you, I have the awful williams. Camilla gill. My apparatus, stephen lopez. Marilyn holyfield and lincoln roselle. [Reading names] >> 1391 north 95th st., $46 billion for the world cup, 70 million for a warehouse JANUARY 16, 2025. The 2 billion for hauling trash from 45 million to 62 million between the year of 2324, 45 million to amelia ehrhardt park, MAY 30, 40 billion for commerce affordable housing, surplus tax JANUARY 23. Traffic transportation trust 300 traffic transportation trust 389.5 million. Federal grant. I did my homework, I came with $972.5 million. And we are losing jobs that aren't our jobs. What about the cr, you're not safe you are I did my homework. >>chair: sir . >> can kilpatrick executive director of the alternative programs the community. I want to thank the administration and board for your restoration of funding. As you know we provide critical no cash alternatives to incarceration for those juvenile offenders throughout miami-dade. Our pretrial intervention services has generated a minimum five point return on investments and has been a pillar of second chances for adults and children in our community. We are snsitive to the challenges you have faced this year and cmmend you for the great work you did to restore funding but we must reiterate our operations on crew the funding gaps for the system could have impacted the social economic fabric of our community and criminal justice system so thank you again for the funding restoration attempt. >>chair: thank you, ma'am. >>speaker: marlena gill, 33133. I'm here today on behalf of armer dance theater to express our deepest gratitude for your leadership and restoring funding for the arts. Your support send a powerful message that you value culture equity community vitality and the transformative power of the arts in the lives of people across this county and I urge you to approve the recommended budget which safeguards the future of art and dance theater programming for 1000 at risk students countywide. For many students are programs but also as a space and a sense of purpose and approving this is not just about funding the arts and it's about the long-term health for our communities, thank you. >>speaker: west bay harbor drive, thank you mme. Mayor and county commissioners for recognizing the importance of our cultural sector. The past few weeks have proven what we can do together we could never accomplish working alone. In my role as ceo of the miami music project I represent arts and cultural organizations which deliver arts education, arts education helps our young residents develop their hearts and minds in transforming through responsible caring and participating members of society. Arts education helps shape the next generation and future leaders of miami such as yourselves. To the county commissioners thank you for full restoration of the arts and culture budget and giving the department of cultural affairs independent. I urge you to help find a permanent source of funding for cultural arts and arts education in the future. >> my name is maia perez and I'm chapter PRESIDENT At southwest miami senior high. 1246 southwest 146 court in miami. I want to thank mayor daniela levine cava and the commissioners for recognizing the importance of community-based organizations like best buddies and for funding cbo's fully. I joined best buddies because I've seen the everyday prejudices happening against people with disabilities and I knew I wanted to change that and make a difference. Through this wonderful program our friendship is just one example of why best buddies is so important to the community. I normally have a new friend I can enhance my leadership skills and create differences for advocacy and causes I believe in. Best buddies creates opportunities for people with disabilities to unite and we need to continue year after year, thank you. >> my name is this is stephen lopez, southwest 88 court. I want to thank the mayor and commissioners for funding cbo's and I've been a part of best buddies since I opened high school but my favorite part is spending time with my buddy and when we go out to events she makes me feel included and supported. Best buddies has given me the confidence to engage in friendship, thank you for the funding and being part of best buddies. I feel a sense of belonging and community. Thank you. >>chair: thank you, ma'am . >>speaker: good evening MADAM Mayor, county and staff, 6095 s. >>speaker: good evening MADAM Mayor, county and staff, 6095 s. 8th avenue and I want to express gratitude for all your efforts to restore funding to the county department of cultural affairs and effort to keep the apartment independent. I am executive director of arts for miami and I represent 5000 children and families we serve , 70+ artist we hire who can make miami their home because of their work with our organization. Yesterday I flew home and I was so glad I could be here in time for this meeting and sat next to a couple and of course they asked me what do I do and italked about our programming and how we deliver programming for children across the country and told them what we really do, we give children the chance to create. Give us a chance to build communication skills, to become critical thinkers and problem solvers, to become resilient, to understand rigor and know how to work independently and give them the skills they need to navigate life area she said I never thought about the arts that way, what a difference you're making and I want t say what a difference you're making by restoring funding will arts and I'm looking forward to partnering with you in the coming year. >>chair: thank you. >>speaker: thank you, my name is marilyn holyfield, 701 brickell ave., board chair of the museum of contemporary art of the african diaspora known as miami modal care, thank you for supporting the arts. Thank you for supporting arts that strengthen our community, energize our economy, educate people, enhance our health and revitalize our spirit. Thank you for restoring the arts and cultural budget, thank you for restoring the independency of the department of cultural affairs. And I joined in the request in looking for a long-term investment and solution to the quest for a strong vibrant arts ecosystem in miami-dade county. Thank you. >>speaker: henrique result southwest 1/49 circle ln., miami, f 3316 . Good afternoon mayor and commissioners, I want to thank you like everybody else tonight for restoring fully the cultural arts budget . And I want to urge you to follow through and cast your vote to fully restore the cultural grants budget and retain an independent department of cultural affairs . Both of these actions are critical for the stability of the arts sector in miami-dade. I'm here with miami music project and I want to say since 2008 miami music project has transformed the lives of 33,000 students and families across 60 different zip codes in miami-dade county. Each year we empower 2000 students to build their academic resilience critical thinking and much more. Preparing them for their journey their academic journey from first grade to college admission. We want to thank you and say to please make sure we keep steady and were ready to work with you to end the cultural affairs council and community partners to ensure sustainable long-term resources of the vinyl programs are never again put at risk. >> good evening. Mme. Mayor and commissioners and thank you for your continuous commitment to supporting the arts and preserving the cultural affairs council which has been fundamental to miami's cultural roof. I am a founding director of a zone sandal also an artist . A nonprofit oganization established in 1996 to advance contemporary arts in miami. And who have served hundreds of artists over the years. We have been active creators in miami beach downtown little haiti, wynnewood and now alabama since 19 , since 2026. We've been in our current space with art galleries and studios much needed by our artists today. Developed with the help of county and other funds. So that miami artists can take creative risks and grow. However with the loss of federal rghts and now for three years state funding county support has become vital to sustaining our space and program. Thank you for your continuous investment in the arts. >> good evening, I am doctor kathy, 2650 sw. 27th avenue I am doctor kathy, 2650 sw. 27th ave., miami 33133. I have had the honor of working with the trauma resolution center for over 15 years as an acupuncture physician. I want to share two stories, the thousands of people we have helped. One client saw her son murdered in front of her. She came to us unable to sleep or eat and after going through our program she was finally able to sleep. Another one of our clients was stabbed by her drunk husband and survived by playing day. Every time she loser site you relive the horror. After going through our program she was able to sleep peacefully. This is the power of the prc's trauma healing model. It works quickly, compassionately and effectively. Please approve the mayor's recommendation to fully fund the trauma resolution center. And you. >> my name is jacqueline blosser and I represent the center at southwest and I represent the center at sw. 87th avenue in miami. Nearly half of all us adults will experience one traumatic event in their lifetime. Since 1995 survivors of child abuse domestic violence human trafficking and more who are not able to afford mental health care. We help people not just survive but truly heal and reclaim their lives. One when funding is that it's not just numbers on a page. It's a mother who can't sleep, a man who feels alone in their pain, a child who no one believes , a survivor with nowhere safe to turn. We can only imagine how difficult it is to balance this budget and we thank you for your work. Tonight I'm here because trauma therapy is not optional, it is urgent. It is life-saving because investing in trauma care does it save money, it just saves lives. Please approve the mayor's recommendation to fund the trauma resolution center, thank you. >> good evening, my name is justin sanders 2650 sw. 22nd ave., miami, fl 33133. I'm honored to be a student at the trauma resolution center and in my time I've received an education in both therapy and resilience. I've seen a mother who broke free from domestic violence and reclaim her autonomy area I seen a child who reclaim child abuse and his virtue. I've seen countless survivors reclaim their lives thanks to the support they received at the trc. Funding you provide is essential to making this possible. It doesn't just support programs, it supports people, it supports families, and children and it's of course the strength of our community. I want to thank you for your commitment and forgetting organizations like the trc the ability to continue its work hard work. Support the mayor's proposed budget to fund the trc. Thank you. >>. >>chair: the last two people that spoke I had called your name yet. Not sure how you. Two, but you're on the list and you were up next. So it kind of worked out but I haven't actually called your name. These are who I haven't crossed out from the names I called, alex jean joseph and catherine. Catherine spoke. >>speaker: [Speaking spanish] >> island 8202 northwest miami court. >>speaker: [Speaking spanish] >> at present I am the PRESIDENT Of ho a four forward part. >>speaker: [Speaking spanish] >> I want to propose the situation and we as a community has been going through. Been a very stressful situation for the community. Who have been threatened . Last year we received support from county authorities pertaining to fire hazards . It seems the situation is in the present as well. We hope the authorities have been listening to us and continue listening to us and not only that support us going through this situation. For seven years. I appreciate the organization that supported us. We appreciate also you have kept notes for family. Because they have significantly assisted the community. And we appreciate the support we've received, thank you so much . >>chair: alex jean joseph already spoke? All right. Names is ellen quinn . Carlos gomez. Josc russell bailey. Stephen littleton. Mayor brooks. And susan holtzman. >> my name is helen quinn, 2121 ponce de leon boulevard coral gables 33134 and I'm here on behalf of miami water keeper. MR. Chair commissioners this evening I'm respectfully asking you to vote no on item 3c in the budget. Until it's been given more time in planning this trip to the department of environmental resources management of its permitting authority. The very authority that allows it to protect natural resources like biscayne bay are mangroves and pine rock layers. This is my first time, your own biscayne bay study found that they generated $64 billion in economic output, 440,000 jobs and $4 billion in tax revenues weakening drm's authority is this final economic resource. Instead I urge you to make drm a full department to keep their permitting authority read please reject item 3c as written and protect the future of one of our most beautiful ecological treasures, biscayne bay. >>speaker: good evening CHAIRMAN Rodriguez and commissioners, my name is sue kepler, coral gables and I am here as an employee of miami-dade county for the past 13 years. You probably already know but miami-dade county is considered . >> miami-dade is considered one of the most dangerous places I've been able to do over 13 years, many residents have told me I have saved lives. Not my words, their words. So tonight I'm asking you to save my job so I can save jobs. I train county staff, staff cycling groups to properly to organize bike rides and teach safe cycling practices. I've trained and certified hundreds of these people. You so much. >> I live 8950 sw. 69th court, pinecrest, fl. I am an ambassador with miami water keeper and we protect our waterways and the health and well-being of south florida's residents from the everglades to biscayne bay. I'm here to specifically ask you to vote no on item c3. This would separate enforcement from derm . This would undermine decades of environmental protection that threaten our counties environment making derm a standalone department with full chapter 24 permitting of the you would ensure the decisions of the development wetlands and water quality are centralized into an agency that prioritizes us, the public. Without this authority we risk putting private interests ahead of nature and people. Derm's rule is not regulatory, it's protective. It hurts our livelihood by meddling with science, vote no on item c3 . >>speaker: my name is josc 5163 southwest 1 47th place 33175 and I've been working with drive 305 for three months now and in that time I've seen how important it has been for this county. We fitted bike helmets for hundreds, a lot of what your kids made not have access otherwise and could face serious injuries or death without them. We are just a safety advocate for miami, we are the only public safety initiative for cyclists in miami-dade. We got a petition signed by 137 members of the community any of which include high-ranking cyclist influences benny for begging for bike 305 to continue and even though I've been with the program short time I urge you to consider how important bike 305 is for the community and everyone who lives in it including myself. >>speaker: good evening, maia brooks and I live at 8250 southwest 72nd ct. Miami florida and I'm here on behalf of miami water keeper and our mission is to protect south florida's waters by engaging in solutions driven by community. I urge you to preserve derm's authority in establishing it as a standalone department with permitting power is essential to ensure decisions about our environment remaining in the hands of scientists and experts and if derm's authority is diminished our county risks slower responses to the pollution long-term harm along with our drinking water. This law is about safeguarding the health and safety and future of residents, keep the environmental protection strong by maintaining derm independence, thank you. >>speaker: russell bailey 2157 north 68th ter. >>speaker: russell bailey 2157 north 68th ter. I'm here on behalf of bike 305. Not only do they support people and teach people about safety, I dress up in a santa suit every christmas. One year I was short for about 16 bikes and my back was against the wall and a lady gave me the number. I called sue and she simply said as short as you are I don't have any new bikes but I have refurbished bikes but you are welcome to them. I got them and spread them out to the kids, we took the pictures and brought joy to their faces. It's very important that the love I have for the kids in liberty city this lady came up and she was an agel for me and I wanted to let you know that. >>vice chair mcghee: MR. Santa thank you. >> susan huntsman 9055 w. 73rd ct. Miami, fl 33153 . On behalf of nami miami-dade county and the people we serve thank you commissioners and mme. Mayor for the support the county has shown towards our mission and mental health in our community . Unfortunately this year our funding has not been fully restored to the level of previous years and we would like to see that change because we have so much more work to do . Nami miami-dade county provides an essential role in helping people with mental illness to maintain their health by providing support and education so that people can adhere to their medication and their plans. In addition we hope to see a path forward for a dedicated stream of funding for cbo's to support the work we do at nami . And I just want to remind all of you one in five people lives with a mental health condition . One in five so look around you . >>chair: thank you so much. Before you begin give me one quick second year. Emily cardona . [Reading names] Please approach the podium. We are ready for you. >> stephen middleton, 17344 sw. 12th st. And speaking as a psychotherapist and a concerned family and community member I have spoken to people from all walks of life personally and professionally and we are deeply disturbed by the notion of funding that's been on our screen for two years. The state of israel is committing a homicidal campaign that has committed forced starvation and execution by gunfire demolition of homes and deliberate targeting of journalists and schools. To continue to invest in israel bonds is to continue to fund this murder. The county has invested 151 million in israel bonds. 95% of 730 people surveyed countywide have reported they do not think israel bonds are as responsible use of county funds and you are to buy a port people fuel that's worth wasting in our part-time stop wasting money financing murders. >>chair: thank you. >> one 5040 sw. 49th ln. Unit f miami florida and I explained to the chief program officer at miami water keeper, miami's future is on the agenda derm has developed rules that protect us from hazardous waste, flooding or development and pollution but item 3c would reorganize derm and strip it of its most important power, environmental permitting and have it left to rer. Decisions for dredging coastal construction and storm water discharges would no longer be in the hands of derm's trained scientist making derm in apartment without authority is not empowering derm, it's quite the opposite. Alignment will set our county back decades. In 16 can and should be approved staffing and digitized permitting not by stripping it of this authority. Please vote no on item 3c. >> good afternoon, my name is felicia douglas 6025 northwest , my name is felicia douglas 6025 northwest fixed court and I want to thank MADAM Mayor and all the commissioners for their support for curly's house back . We are here to basically get our funds restored, having that we do have our senior program since 1999 and are miami-dade county community , we are in the heart of liberty city and we do serve over 5000 clients a month, not just our seniors but disabled veterans, we do attend all our senior buildings where we provide them with fresh roots and vegetables so that is important for us to continue our funds so we can continue our program in our community and I have our founder laverne spicer who has been in this program for 30+ years so we need our doors to continue to stay open because they believed in us, they trust in us and our vision and our mission. >>speaker: laverne spicer 6025 nw. 6th court, thank you MISS Mayor, thank you to all the commissioners for your support, to piggyback on what felicia said we also provide a safety net for our community. We feed everybody throughout the county not just in liberty city. We work closely with people that have disabilities, people on wheelchairs, walkers. We feed these people with dgnity giving them fresh vegetables, fresh food and we also allow them to pick whatever it is they want so they can take it home and cook. Once again thank you all for all your support, GOD bless. >>speaker: I'm ei executive director of piano fusion at hammock boulevard 33196 in district 11. I want to thank the mayor and commissioners for painstakingly identifying alternative solutions to resolve this year's budget crisis. Resulting in the proposed full restoration of funds to the department of cultural affairs and to our brothers and sisters operating cbo's. Now we look forward to a speedy passage of the budget tonight. Our patrons thank you and so do the 1000 students in piano slam who we serve annually in high schools from miami gardens to homestead but we know the next few budget cycles MAY be just as hard. So I personally together with the arts action alliance pledge to work with this commission to create a dedicated and more reliable revenue stream for arts and culture in miami-dade county, thank you all >>speaker: kendra holly 601 east treasure doctor 33141 district for and PRESIDENT Of the american federation of musicians local 655 and I'm proud to represent all musicians from key west to vero beach. We want to thank you all for hearing our voices, for your time and efforts and recognizing and supporting arts and culture, the soul of miami its people and the greater communities we have built together. In a city where we are seeing a huge influx of visitors, new residents and luxury high-rises going up on every corner where you have to pay to park at your own home, the grocery store and doctor's office, we are here to remind you of the reasons people want to come to miami: for the arts and culture. We urge you to find a permanent sustainable solution to support the important work of all nonprofits who pick up the slack on a daily basis and continue to make miami a place for everyone to thrive. Arts and culture make miami worth living and also vote no on item 3c. >>vice chair mcghee: thank you so much. >>. >>speaker: rachel silverstein, executive director of water keeper. My address exit is exempt. Everyone loves to hate the environmental regulators. That is until there is sewage running down the streets. There is toxic waste in the water, dead fish on this shores. Derm protects our way of life, our beautiful biscayne bay. It keeps us healthy and protects our environment and economy and that is why we are so concerned about item 3c. When the mayor and administration told me they were going to be creating derm into its own department this was a promise and they are made to me when she first ran but when I saw the language two days ago I was shocked to find what it did was disempower derm and strict strip all the permitting in chapter 24 out of derm and give it to rer. There's no flowchart, no organization chart, we haven't had enough thought about this. Do not do this tonight. We can fix de