EDC to retain Greater Miami Chamber membership line item; town asked to consider long-term responsibility

Committee members reviewed the EDC’s membership in the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and discussed whether the town or the committee should pay the annual fee going forward.

Staff reported the EDC currently holds a trustee-level membership priced at $2,020 and that the membership includes a range of benefits that can assist local businesses. As staff explained, “you guys are under the trustee membership, which is $2,020,” and staff offered to send members the membership benefit details so the committee can evaluate usage.

Committee members raised that the membership originated as an EDC request in 2021 and that turnover on the committee left some members unaware the committee still carried the membership and associated cost. Several members said the membership offers benefits (networking, promotional opportunities and committee representation) that have value if the committee and local businesses use them regularly.

The committee voted to keep the chamber membership line in the EDC budget for the coming year and directed staff to check membership expiration and whether the town will absorb the cost in future budgets. A committee member suggested that if the town does not take over the membership, the EDC should be prepared to continue it or make a formal recommendation to council; staff said it will verify the membership expiration date and report back.

The motion to retain the Greater Miami Chamber membership line in the committee’s proposed budget passed by voice vote (recorded as “all in favor”).