Hialeah council backs state financial audit, approves multiple zoning changes and appointments

The City of Hialeah City Council voted to support Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' Executive Order 2544 and invited the governor's Office of Government Efficiency (O.G.E.) team to audit the city's finances, approved two mayoral appointments to municipal pension/benefit boards, and passed a package of zoning, variance and administrative items during a meeting that began at 5:33 p.m. and adjourned at approximately 6:10 p.m.

The council's resolution said the city would “fully cooperate” with the governor's office and authorized the mayor or his designee to coordinate with state auditors. Council members said the goal is to be transparent and to identify any operational improvements, while noting that municipal services and budgets differ from state or federal operations. The resolution was moved and seconded on the floor and carried by the council members present.

Why it matters: a state audit could identify operational efficiencies and make recommendations that affect city budgeting, service delivery and accountability. The resolution also signals political and administrative willingness to host state-level review of municipal finances.

In other actions the council:

- Approved the mayor's appointment of Javier Coyaso as the mayor's representative to the Board of Trustees of the Employee's Retirement System for a two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2026. The appointment passed after a motion, second and roll-call vote.

- Approved the mayor's appointment of Hufredo Perez to the Defined Contribution…