Miami‑Dade, Hialeah declare impasse in $17.8 million sewer billing dispute; order mediation

Miami‑Dade County commissioners and Hialeah city officials declared an impasse in a dispute over unpaid wholesale sewer bills—about $17.8 million—during a joint public meeting and directed the parties to mediation, county staff said.

The vote followed presentations from Miami‑Dade Water and Sewer Department officials and Hialeah public works staff who sharply disagreed over whether county meters at a Hialeah pump station have produced inaccurate readings that led the city to withhold portions of payments. Commissioners voted unanimously to send the matter to a certified mediator, require both governments to complete any necessary independent testing before mediation, and set a 90‑day target for the mediation to take place. The board also approved a tolling agreement to preserve legal options while mediation proceeds.

The issue centers on wholesale sewer charges the county bills monthly to Hialeah for processing the city’s wastewater. Roy Koehler, Miami‑Dade’s chief utilities and regulatory officer, told the joint meeting the outstanding balance for unpaid bills from fiscal years 2020–21 through 2022–23 stands at about $17,800,000 and noted the county’s contract allows interest; “That interest would be 2 and a half million,” he said. Koehler said the county’s tests show the meter in question is operating within contractual tolerances and that the county will credit Hialeah if the city presents evidence of…