Miami Dade Committee considers interactive budget tool for increased transparency

The Miami-Dade County Government Efficiency and Transparency Ad Hoc Committee convened on May 15, 2025, to discuss initiatives aimed at enhancing governmental transparency and efficiency. The meeting began with a light-hearted moment as members celebrated the birthday of a staff member, Belkis, highlighting the committee's community-oriented atmosphere.

A significant focus of the meeting was a proposal for a digital interactive budget tool, presented by Amy Morales, the policy director at Engage Miami. Morales represented a coalition of 12 partner organizations advocating for the adoption of this innovative budgeting tool. She emphasized that the tool would enhance transparency by visualizing the county's budget allocations across various departments, such as health and social services.

Morales pointed out that similar tools have been successfully implemented in other counties, including Pinellas and Flagler, which have smaller budgets than Miami-Dade. She argued that adopting this tool would not only reduce costs associated with printed materials but also facilitate real-time budget adjustments, making the budgeting process more efficient and participatory.

The proposed interactive format aims to make budget information accessible to residents of all educational backgrounds, addressing the current challenge where citizens often struggle to comprehend lengthy budget documents. Morales urged the committee to support the development of this tool, highlighting its potential to foster a more equitable public budgeting process.

The discussions at this meeting underscore a growing commitment within Miami-Dade County to improve government transparency and engage citizens in the budgeting process. As the committee considers the proposal, the anticipated next steps include further discussions with commissioners and stakeholders to explore the feasibility and implementation of the digital budget tool. This initiative could mark a significant shift in how the county communicates its financial decisions to the public, ultimately aiming to build trust and accountability within the community.