Miami Lakes adopts FY2025–26 budget, sets millage at 2.1577 after months of cuts and debate

Mayor Jorge Diaz and the Miami Lakes Town Council passed the fiscal 2025–26 budget and adopted a millage rate of 2.1577 at their second public hearing on the evening of Sept. 16.

The council’s final package, approved after extensive public comment and multiple amendments, projects $10,745,259 in ad valorem revenue (budgeted at a 95% collection rate) and includes a mix of recurring and one-time adjustments. The manager reported an available one-time surplus of about $86,000 in the town-hall bond debt fund; council voted to transfer that amount into the general fund for allocation.

Council members spent the hearing debating dozens of line items. Major outcomes include: formal direction for staff and the town attorney to review contracts that currently obligate the town to pay for volunteer-coach background checks and to pursue contract language changes; a motion to carry forward remaining committee funds to allow the Public Safety Committee to pay vendor deposits for an upcoming car show; adoption of a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for eligible staff after discussion about income thresholds and pension (FRS) impacts; and a series of reallocations of PTP surtax funds after initial legal review by county counsel and follow‑up locally.

The council also voted to reduce $60,948 from the public-works right-of-way/grounds contract to trim operating costs, a contentious decision that the parks director warned would reduce mulching or fertilizer cycles in the right-of-way program. Vice Mayor Moreira and others pressed for fully funding higher maintenance levels (35 cycles) to restore pre‑2019 service; several colleagues pushed back and sought a more targeted mix of cycles, mulching and fertilizer to balance costs and aesthetics. The council ultimately passed an amended package that kept several park and field programs funded while trimming other lines.

On transit-related funding, Vice Mayor Moreira presented a preliminary county CITT opinion that municipalities may, in some cases, use PTP surtax proceeds for road/bridge operations if they can show a direct nexus. The council moved to reallocate portions of PTP funds to support school crossing guards and to shift some street-light repair costs from the general fund to PTP where appropriate; staff were instructed to secure written confirmation from the county and to proceed with caution. Some reallocations were temporarily tabled for formal written approval by county counsel, while others were advanced by roll-call vote.

Council members thanked town staff, the finance director and legal counsel for their work in navigating uncertain projections and negotiated fee reductions (about $68,000 saved on line‑of‑credit legal and advisory fees). After a final tally of changes, budget staff reported an available surplus of roughly $371,628 in the general fund that narrowed the gap toward a flat millage but fell short of a full rollback.

The ordinance adopting the millage rate passed on second reading, 4–3. The budget ordinance was adopted subsequently with the same majority. Mayor Diaz closed the hearing at 11:59 p.m.

What happens next: staff will prepare the final adopted budget documents and, where necessary, pursue mid‑year amendments (March–April) to formalize carryforwards or to reconcile encumbrances. The council asked staff to seek written confirmation from county counsel on the PTP crossing‑guards question and to return with contract options for moving background‑check costs off the town’s general fund.

Quotes: "We have a lot at stake... we really need your support" — Darwin Vivi, Public Safety Committee member, during public comment on the car show funding. "I think this is the millage that we can stick with for many, many years" — Councilmember Herzberg, defending the adopted posture on the budget. "The motion carries" — Mayor Diaz, after the roll call adopting the millage.

Ending: The budget and millage ordinance were adopted at the hearing. Several follow‑ups — including contract reviews, a written county opinion on PTP eligibility, and potential mid‑year amendments to carry forward committee balances — were directed to staff.