Miramar commission approves budget, millage and multiple contracts; stormwater fee raised to $135 per ERU — votes at a glance

The Miramar City Commission on July 9 voted on multiple budget, assessment, capital and community‑development items as it set the fiscal path for Fiscal Year 2026 and approved several construction and service awards.

Highlights: the commission set the proposed operating millage at 7.1172 mills and approved the fire protection assessment rates and the process to set the final rates at the September hearings; it approved a preliminary stormwater assessment increase from $120 to $135 per equivalent residential unit (ERU); it awarded construction and inspection contracts for the AC Perry K‑8 sidewalk project and approved several capital and community development disbursements.

Budget and tax items - Millage and budget process: Management and Budget Director Rafael San Miguel recommended and the commission approved a proposed operating millage of 7.1172 mills for FY 2026 and set public hearings for adoption (first public hearing set for Sept. 15). Staff said no millage increase was proposed and that the average homestead property would see a modest increase in taxes reflecting property valuation changes. - Fire protection assessment: the commission approved continuation of the fire assessment process; staff described exemptions administered through Broward County and local hardship rules adopted in April 2024. - Stormwater assessment: the commission set the preliminary stormwater rate at $135 per ERU (up $15 from the prior $120 per ERU). Staff said the increase will fund operations, maintenance, debt service and future drainage capital projects including Miramar drainage phases 5 and 6.

Procurement, contracts and capital projects - AC Perry sidewalks (Items 20 & 21): the commission awarded the construction contract to Homestead Concrete and Drainage, Inc. for a contract award not to exceed $1,155,003 (bid $1,050,003 plus 10% contingency). The commission also awarded construction engineering & inspection (CEI) services to the most qualified proposer (agenda listed Carnahan, Proctor & Cross, Inc.) with compensation not to exceed the amount shown in the agenda paperwork. Staff said federal Safe Routes to School funds will reimburse eligible construction costs (approximately $1,008,525 of the project). - Pipeline repairs (Item 24): the commission approved change order No. 2 to the pipeline leak repairs and replacement contract with Plumber Mike's, Inc. in the amount of $1,227,650 to address additional service line repairs, bringing the vendor’s revised contract total to $3,142,500. Staff said the additional work responded to a large number of previously undetected leaks in several neighborhoods and will reduce water loss and restore system pressure. - Parkview affordable housing (Item 25): the commission authorized payment of $1,500,000 to Florida Community Development Corporation (FCDC) to cover additional site, elevation and stormwater work required by Broward County plan review for the Parkview affordable housing project; staff said the funds were budgeted across CIP and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in prior actions and the payment ratifies an executed amendment. - Vehicle donation (Item 23): the commission approved donation of one surplus public‑safety van (value less than $5,000) to the Justice Project of South Florida, a nonprofit reentry program.

Community development and grants - CDBG consolidated plan (Item 30): the commission approved the five‑year consolidated plan (2025–2030) and the FY 2025–26 annual action plan for CDBG resources; staff said the city’s allocation for PY 2025–26 is approximately $825,000 and the recommended uses include residential rehabilitation, rental assistance, program administration and inspections. - CDBG amendments (Item 31): the commission approved reallocations that move available commercial rehabilitation funds from prior years into the city’s rental assistance program (specific reallocations recorded in the agenda: $143,000 and $23,000 among program years).

Other business - Scholarships and sponsorship funds (Item 17): the commission approved distribution of $78,500 in 70th anniversary sponsorships to nonprofits and to fund scholarships (staff presented eligibility and administration details). - Land‑development and floodplain ordinances (Items 26 & 28): the commission adopted an amendment removing a minimum dollar requirement for vacation‑rental commercial general liability insurance in the land development code (1st reading) and approved a floodplain‑management code update to increase minimum design freeboard to 2 feet where appropriate (second reading) to maintain and seek improved Community Rating System discounts.

Most items were approved by recorded vote with unanimous yes votes from Commissioners Chambers, Scheherazard, Vice Mayor Colburn, Commissioner Edwards and Mayor Wayne Messam, unless noted otherwise in the public record. The commission set Sept. 15 for the first public hearing on the tentative budget, millage and final assessments.

For readers: the commission’s packet contains full agendas, staff reports, and contract documents; the city clerk’s office can provide the final signed agreements and recorded covenants after they are filed.