[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6246224,"mediaKeyId","3218896-65d3055e7cbfb6941988c9dd5b401a4a","parentId",3218896,"title","Inspector General audit flags $661,000 discrepancy in Miami Beach Marina lease accounting; committee keeps lease extension discussion open","audioSeconds",107,"startMs",8252000,"endMs",8359000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3218896-65d3055e7cbfb6941988c9dd5b401a4a&start=8252&end=8359","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3218896-65d3055e7cbfb6941988c9dd5b401a4a/thumbnail_8252000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6246224/Miami-Beach/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Inspector-General-audit-flags-661000-discrepancy-in-Miami-Beach-Marina-lease-accounting-committee-keeps-lease-extension-discussion-open","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246224-dbc191a1ba524471f796480718182550/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155839&Signature=NzztHHVknz3n0caw7RllpHyGWN91X2TxJsC5w1~pmn4Sn2Rhf5MXN-uv7lEQqBs-4RVzcu1ivRnxSnM8fQFIgri3TO6fmXEstdHwsEcjnKwCOgLfmDJP6sAH0H5rhp-W803~hx2i~WtU8umBRPoOi3HXxFjKDV5eXvTA9uo8iQOcX0MSPaB5SpUe4oOiE0TEgTT1hNtDLcdqO7zBWLB8MLgn0dIssYyovHX-oTOE5UmiWlQxczIXL9iB8OJnRuQIR72nH8c18hlcIYxAOuZ~GDIYQXE2XpFzRf5ZJKPlSD8668-I2wCHLxQbgNJun3i9Szz6glFyLsd6d7FEFyyCAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Miami Beach, FL","date","2025-05-08T06:39:42Z","article","An audit by the City of Miami Beach Inspector General, presented to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee on May 7, identified a $661,000 difference for the audit year February 2022 related to revenue calculations under the Miami Beach Marina lease. The Committee heard the audit findings, received a detailed response from the marina operator’s counsel, and did not approve any lease extensions at the meeting; instead the Committee asked staff to continue negotiations and to return when there is an agreed path forward.

Inspector General Joseph Santorino said his office’s audit — which began in February 2023 and concluded with a report issued on April 17, 2025 — identified several contract-compliance questions and what the Inspector General described as a substantial assessment from the city’s perspective for the single audit year. Santorino said his office relied upon the city attorney’s contract interpretations for disputed terms and that the $661,000 figure reflects the Inspector General’s interpretation of amounts due for that year; he also noted the audit was contentious and that some requested records were initially difficult to obtain.

Representatives for Suntex — the marina tenant — disputed the audit’s conclusions. Michael Grieco, representing Suntex, said the lease is a 1983 agreement with many amendments and that, since Suntex assumed the lease, city revenues from the marina had increased (Suntex reported average annual payments of about $2.7 million since 2019 versus about $1.2 million from the prior operator). Grieco said Suntex provides annual audited financial information and that the company’s outside counsel had provided a 10-page response challenging the Inspector General’s findings.

City attorneys said they had reviewed the audit and that the office saw support in the lease for the Inspector General’s interpretation, but they also emphasized that conversations with the tenant and further legal and financial review were warranted before any negotiation or settlement. The committee kept a previously filed directive in place to negotiate both short-term (less than 10 years) and long-term (10 years or more) extensions and to present draft term sheets, while staff and the City Attorney’s Office follow up on the audit findings and the vendor responses.

No vote was taken to extend the lease. The committee heard and retained the item; staff will return as discussions and any negotiation progress. Commissioners urged timely review because the audit raises material questions that could affect negotiations. The committee did not make findings about wrongdoing; it directed staff to prioritize legal and financial review and to provide a path forward to the Commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee 5.7.2025","oneSentenceSummary","An inspector general audit, presented at committee, found a $661,000 assessment for a single year (Feb. 2022) related to revenue calculations under the Miami Beach Marina lease; Suntex disputed the findings and the committee directed staff to continue negotiations and follow-up with legal and finance review.","taxTitle","Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, Florida","taxId",2893,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6246232,"Committee opens discussion on neighborhood special taxing districts for enhanced security; town halls planned",3926,2292000,6218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3218896-65d3055e7cbfb6941988c9dd5b401a4a&start=2292&end=6218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3218896-65d3055e7cbfb6941988c9dd5b401a4a/thumbnail_2292000.jpg","/articles/6246232/Miami-Beach/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Committee-opens-discussion-on-neighborhood-special-taxing-districts-for-enhanced-security-town-halls-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246232-732e04a9b102a9315b2f25517684e541/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155839&Signature=lOGFkQ-4LEr6-pau5kSx-q9DCi6Dhc9bfIAN9vq-c~vuRfKF-E2xo80HDjHZnadie4khoepwlwtz5L3sUTu6PDwhl2tvN1XCgQJJ08~m9SmtvQYFJjhq6ULHxyBt7Y6CGwLgyRVwDlAjgAq6FojngHnesuxz~sUd7N9XmndjsrfKUgo73HhZvMNhtBDBflQPQbg4UTZqsKvaQHUxXhtGo87wurj-Rsfk9grisQwT8nzP2SNAO9fqsUM9LdsXpiIW9IUjeKJbD8VItu5xE9LRMjsMW1yWQWfp1-5l9RkWF6-xvx6NMBn6gHEZUtkkGIhzhOtY9Gycnld2kzlVCg2VDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee held an extended discussion on May 7 about preliminary neighborhood efforts to form special taxing districts to fund enhanced security services in Bayshore, North Bay Road and the Venetian Islands. The committee did not authorize changes to city code or levy assessments but directed staff to hold public town halls and return with more details.

City staff reported that residents in portions of Middle North Bay Road had submitted a letter of intent and a resident survey showing at least 10 percent initial support — the first procedural step toward a petition package. The committee’s discussion focused on two distinct kinds of outcomes neighborhood petitioners were considering: self-assessed funds to hire roving security patrols and enhanced technology such as license-plate readers (LPRs) and camera connections to the police department’s real-time crime center, or physical infrastructure such as guard gates that would restrict vehicle access.

Speakers from neighborhoods described an increase in vehicle thefts and concern about property crime, and urged the City to facilitate resident-led processes. Commissioner Suarez said the city’s role is to facilitate the process and emphasized that residents will ultimately decide the type of special-district proposal pursued. Commissioner Kristin Rosen Gonzalez and others pushed for technology-first options — expanded LPR coverage and camera ties to the real-time crime center — as faster, less controversial, and more citywide in impact than gating. Assistant Chief Daniel Morgana of the Miami Beach Police Department confirmed that high-end vehicle thefts have been linked to organized rings and described recent enforcement work, including a sting operation, and said public-education work about leaving key fobs in vehicles had reduced some thefts.

Residents raised concerns that gating or guard gates could redirect traffic onto adjacent corridors such as Alton Road and urged broad notice and outreach; one resident also noted the Miami-Dade County requirement for a traffic study in gating proposals. Commissioners noted the city must balance neighborhood requests with broader traffic, equity and public-safety considerations; some commissioners signaled openness to residents self-assessing for roving security or technology enhancements but expressed reluctance to support gates that would redirect traffic onto major thoroughfares.

The committee agreed to schedule comprehensive public town halls for the affected neighborhoods and to retain the items for further review, with staff returning to committee in July following additional outreach. No ordinance or assessment was adopted; the item remains under discussion.","The committee heard neighborhood requests to explore special taxing districts for security services and guard gates in Bayshore, North Bay Road and Venetian Islands and set a follow-up town hall; commissioners emphasized technology options and warned about traffic impacts from gated districts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6246236,"Committee backs referral to consider $120,000 toward Miami Beach Senior High shade structure",1148,1328000,2476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3218896-65d3055e7cbfb6941988c9dd5b401a4a&start=1328&end=2476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3218896-65d3055e7cbfb6941988c9dd5b401a4a/thumbnail_1328000.jpg","/articles/6246236/Miami-Beach/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Committee-backs-referral-to-consider-120000-toward-Miami-Beach-Senior-High-shade-structure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246236-8f85f043cfd1fa27343310491d4c7eb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155839&Signature=i6q48vz3GsVNRKVIwphmLwBPlEZov0o3mZ6K7tr3eF8QFvNxoxz3CT2ZhVGyKUW7W3MvfRN1-6DO4VEuzuOWXHMNbwVICfkDFSXmsv-3EwNVP4Ptvk7smzkkJTI4RbZEPlR52Ss6qPs5d092XhknajZ1XxtuhGw1xQCG4yeBfxi843pGV5VKw1yByYjv0h3EXhnrBhMICy3O6iDoS5CAQ59TdJLV189BzoT9l7xwMCHQ8qjBCqDIG3dDqHxmG2W060yXtrkdPoI3xfBX2UXMzKeyx7WNl96QHWyBLyMoiL~3VXw4XzHqvEXlMs5R3QzPV34g8zFFgzg4FhutxwVUxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee voted 3-0 on May 7 to forward a recommendation to the City Commission to consider funding $120,000 for a shade structure at Miami Beach Senior High as part of the FY26 budget process. The recommendation follows a presentation from the school’s PTA leadership and city staff about costs, procurement and site control.

Julie Basner and Rachel Weisman, leaders of the Miami Beach Senior High PTA, told the committee that the PTA had raised $24,000 and that the school planned to purchase two sets of bleachers and storage sheds; the PTA asked the city to contribute toward a shade structure and the concrete pads needed to support up to five bleacher sets. The PTA cited student health and safety concerns, noting daytime heat exposure during practices and classes and the lack of shaded areas at the campus.

PTA leaders provided a contractor quote that listed the sunshade as approximately $93,000; concrete pads at $25,000; and contractor overhead/profit estimated around $25,000, producing a total of roughly $143,000. The PTA asked the city for $120,000 to close the gap after the PTA contribution.

Committee members asked city staff about procurement and whether the school district would manage the project. City staff said the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) might manage projects where the district provides funding, but if the district is not funding the work it may permit the PTA or the city to use an approved vendor; staff noted the city followed competitive procurement practices for its projects and would need to confirm whether a city-managed approach or piggybacking on state or county contracts could be used. The committee also discussed precedents such as the scoreboard installation, which followed a process that allowed a vendor suggested by a third party when the city could piggyback on an approved contract.

Commissioners also raised broader procurement questions about price disparities between private-party quotes and city procurement estimates. The PTA’s contractor said the bidder is an approved vendor for Miami-Dade County Public Schools and that prior partnerships had allowed similar work for schools.

The committee’s referral asks the City Commission to consider the $120,000 contribution request for the FY26 budget. The recommendation does not appropriate funds at committee level; staff will follow up with procurement and MDCPS to clarify who will manage the project and what procurement path would be required.","The committee recommended the City Commission consider $120,000 in FY26 budget talks to support a shade structure and concrete pads at Miami Beach Senior High, following a presentation by PTSA leaders and staff on costs and permitting questions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6246240,"Miami Beach committee recommends $75,000 sponsorship for new Swimwear Icons Hall of Fame",797,479000,1276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3218896-65d3055e7cbfb6941988c9dd5b401a4a&start=479&end=1276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3218896-65d3055e7cbfb6941988c9dd5b401a4a/thumbnail_479000.jpg","/articles/6246240/Miami-Beach/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Miami-Beach-committee-recommends-75000-sponsorship-for-new-Swimwear-Icons-Hall-of-Fame","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246240-567252c2e4ddad65131fef3a50bf7a7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155839&Signature=FWdW9p78Q17dUmyVHY9vNKRNOThdpuWnMG4efKfOwfC7k6XPwc6Zvqu4er33RcLqDG4-yTzlEB9hkw9cAWzw-9~qB07I8t-slc7GAWxGp~G5sBVV1MJl6NtROjVujKSVCMOCmOwXbZltnWLgjvoTOg0OGupGW84IRc2M3OOGOGhNIBYlUDmOzljTFyHK00-O-g0Yq014PjlO~uwyutaG2kg~9UpjOtfc~xJ48JMTvIkB8~8ihLFlUZb2xrFDNz6MhUpLTBes~st37xmv0bFpz2Lxs9MGxsmObLqxPasCLWn2O-TedODI8KBdhNtK-JR-92FDzRKD3Y-qKbVp1bpTUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Miami Beach Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee voted 3-0 on May 7 to recommend that the City consider a $75,000 sponsorship for the Swimwear Icons Hall of Fame, a new element tied to Miami Swim Week, with the funding to be considered during the fiscal year 2026 budget process.

The item, MB 28, was presented by Sarah Rogante, director of tourism and culture, who described Miami Swim Week as a multi-event showcase for international swimwear brands that will take place in Collins Park and adjacent hotels. Rogante told the committee that Swim Week had previously received $57,000 in event funding from the city’s Visitor and Convention Affairs (VCA) budget for 2025 and that organizers are seeking an additional $75,000 specifically to support the new Hall of Fame element.

Organizers said the Hall of Fame will recognize figures in swimwear and fashion and that they plan related marketing and programming to promote the city as an arts-and-events hub. Sean Vardy, CEO of Think Hospitality, and representatives from the event’s production team described the event’s economic and promotional benefits, including global social-media impressions and year-round marketing materials that could be used in city rebranding efforts. The organizers also said they run school outreach and upcycling programs that connect local students and designers to Swim Week activities.

Committee members questioned the budgetary details and asked staff to confirm what funds have already been allocated. Rogante confirmed the $57,000 funding from the VCA was separate from the $75,000 sponsorship request and that the Hall of Fame is a distinct element of Swim Week. The committee moved a recommendation that the City Commission consider special-event funding of $75,000 for the Swimwear Icons Hall of Fame during the FY26 budget process.

The motion was made on the record by Commissioner Carlos Suarez and seconded; the committee recorded a unanimous vote in favor and the recommendation will be forwarded to the full commission for consideration during the FY26 budget cycle. No additional financial commitment was made at the committee level; the action directs staff to include the request in the forthcoming budget deliberations.

Community members and staff noted potential community benefits beyond immediate tourism impacts, including youth outreach, ocean-cleanup programming and marketing that highlights Miami Beach. Rogante and event representatives said they will finalize a press announcement and provide further details to staff for budget and contract review.","The Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee voted to recommend that the City consider a $75,000 sponsorship request tied to an expanded Miami Swim Week element — the Swimwear Icons Hall of Fame — to be considered during the FY26 budget process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Inspector General audit flags $661,000 discrepancy in Miami Beach Marina lease accounting; committee keeps lease extension discussion open

Committee opens discussion on neighborhood special taxing districts for enhanced security; town halls planned

Committee backs referral to consider $120,000 toward Miami Beach Senior High shade structure

Miami Beach committee recommends $75,000 sponsorship for new Swimwear Icons Hall of Fame