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Downtown Development Authority millage, budget approved on first reading after changes
Summary
The Miami Downtown Development Authority presented a reduced millage and a smaller budget; the commission approved the DDA millage on first reading and approved the DDA budget as amended after commissioners negotiated reallocations toward homelessness, small‑business grants and enhanced services.
The Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA) told the City Commission it had trimmed its proposed budget and millage and proposed increased spending on homelessness response and small‑business support; the commission approved the DDA millage on first reading and later approved the DDA’s operating budget as amended.
DDA Executive Director Christina Crespi told the commission the DDA’s proposed budget is about $1 million below the preceding year and that the proposed millage rate of 0.39 mills is lower than last year’s rate and below the rollback rate the DDA previously used for comparison. Crespi said the DDA is directing more funds toward downtown cleanliness, security, homelessness assistance and small‑business support while trimming administrative costs.
Commissioner Miguel Rosado (chairing the DDA discussion on the dais) led a line‑by‑line review after the commission asked for further adjustments. Rosado proposed amendments that increased direct homelessness assistance by $225,000, boosted small‑business growth assistance by about $210,000, added $100,000 for enhanced services (graffiti removal, cameras and day‑to‑day cleanliness) and increased facade grants by $100,000 with a redesigned target approach. The DDA executive said staff could accommodate the changes.
Votes and outcomes - DDA millage (first reading): passed on first reading (vote recorded at the hearing: 4–1). Commissioners approved the millage on first reading; the item will return at the final hearing for confirmation. - DDA budget (BH4), as amended: passed (motion recorded as passing 4–0‑1 at the hearing); the amended budget redirects reserve/carryover funds into program lines described above.
Why it matters: The DDA’s budget affects assessments paid by downtown and Brickell property owners and directs locally focused services for the downtown core. Commissioners debated reserve usage and whether the DDA should preserve a cash cushion or spend down carryover to expand services.
Context and financial details cited at the hearing Crespi said the DDA would operate with fewer staff costs than in the previous year and had negotiated a $1.5 million office‑lease savings over ten years. Commissioners and DDA staff discussed reserves and carryover; Crespi and staff described the DDA as using carryover funds in the proposed year to avoid large service cuts while preserving programmatic priorities. Commissioner Rosado asked staff for specifics about reserve balances and spending so the board could monitor near‑term liquidity after the amendments.
Quote from the hearing: “This budget is a budget that does more with less,” Christina Crespi, executive director and CEO of the Miami DDA, said. “It reflects efficiency, responsiveness, and a deep commitment to the well‑being of our community.”
Next steps: The DDA millage and budget will be subject to the second public hearing and final adoption steps that take place in the city’s statutory schedule; staff said revised documents and the amended budget line items would be in the record ahead of the Sept. 25 final hearing.
