Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cutler Bay adopts 2.8332‑mill rate and approves $146.84 million budget for 2025–26
Summary
At its Sept. 25 final budget hearing, the Town of Cutler Bay adopted a final millage rate of 2.8332 mills and approved a $146,841,231 operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2025–26. Council discussion included funding for Metro Connect transit and fiscal reserves.
The Town of Cutler Bay Town Council voted Sept. 25 to set the final millage rate for fiscal year 2025–26 at 2.8332 mills per $1,000 of assessed property value and to adopt a $146,841,231 operating and capital budget.
The millage rate is 7.03% higher than the rollback rate of 2.6471 mills, a change the clerk read as required by the Truth in Millage notice. Town Manager Ralph told the council the town built the FY26 budget around the 2.8332 mill ceiling adopted earlier in the process and said the town's fund balance reserves exceed the ordinance requirement of a 17% minimum.
The budget hearing included a discussion about local transit funding. Councilmember Lord raised concerns about continuing the town's $500,000 annual Metro Connect program (a $250,000 state grant matched by $250,000 from town PTP transit funds), saying in part, "I don't think our residents should have to pay almost $4 to ride it." Town Manager Ralph responded that the town has an interlocal agreement with Miami‑Dade County and that "anyone who uses the Metro Connect service within that boundary is a free service," adding staff will meet with county officials and the contractor to resolve fare and geo‑fencing issues and will consider alternative providers if needed.
Councilmember Lord moved to adopt the millage rate; Councilmember Ramirez seconded. The roll call vote recorded Councilmembers Lord, Duncan, Ramirez, Vice Mayor Callahan and Mayor Murabaugh voting yes, and the motion passed. Later, Councilmember Duncan moved to approve the final operating and capital budget; Councilmember Lord seconded. Following a roll call, the budget ordinance passed with the same recorded yes votes.
The council also received an overview of outreach and transparency measures used during budget workshops and public meetings and heard that the town expects revenue from upcoming development activity and permit fees to support future services.
The adopted budget is effective for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, 2025. Published next steps include staff follow‑up on county/contractor discussions about Metro Connect and continued budget implementation overseen by the town manager.
