Miami Lakes committee finalizes timeline, vendors and budget estimate for 25th-anniversary event

Felicia Salazar, an ad hoc committee member, and other members of the Miami Lakes ad hoc anniversary committee on Sept. 2 approved a draft timeline, a vendor list and a preliminary budget estimate for the town's 25th-anniversary celebration and agreed to send an amended report to the Town Council for final approval.

The committee approved a draft closing ceremony set for early evening (a draft timeline showed a 4 p.m. start, guest speakers around 5:15 p.m., performances through the evening and a fireworks countdown around 8 p.m.), confirmed primary vendors and community performers, and accepted an updated invoice for one band. Nancy (Staff member) told the committee that the Town Council had already authorized the event in principle but that the ad hoc group must submit a detailed, amended report before the council will allow promotion and final execution.

Why it matters: Approval to move the package to council clears the way for contracts, promotion and sponsorship outreach. The committee set modest spending limits for several line items so staff can finalize bookings while keeping the total near the current estimate.

Key decisions and numbers

- Budget estimate: The committee recorded a preliminary total of $25,584 for the event as currently scoped. That tally includes staging, lighting and sound, LED display, a live band, fireworks and other usual event costs. Committee discussion listed the live band at $2,000 and fireworks at roughly $1,000 per minute; the draft schedule included a roughly seven-minute fireworks show. (Source: Nancy, Staff member.)

- Spending caps: The committee voted on modest "not to exceed" amounts for several items to allow staff to contract without returning for every small purchase: a cap of $500 for the master of ceremonies (MC) or related fees, $500 for community games/activities and up to $500…