Veterans committee approves split of Reindeer Run proceeds for monument and American Legion; flags high policing costs

The Miami Lakes Veterans Committee voted to allocate the bulk of this year’s Reindeer Run proceeds to veterans causes and tighten event oversight.

At the meeting the committee approved a motion to revise a previously authorized $2,000 donation to the Knights of Columbus to $1,000 to support quarterly bingo events for residents at the regional VA hospital; the committee said the VA restricts meals and the Knights need a W-9 before the town can cut a check. The committee also approved disbursing roughly 25% of the event’s net proceeds to American Legion Post 144 and transferring the remainder (after the approved donations) to a new veterans monument fund.

Committee members repeatedly raised concerns about event policing costs after staff reported a police overtime charge of about $11,000 tied to the 5K and a roster that listed 25 officers. Several members said 25 officers appeared excessive for the route and asked staff to provide officer rosters and maps so the subcommittee can negotiate staffing and reduce overtime next year.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to revise Knights of Columbus donation from $2,000 to $1,000: moved, seconded and passed (motion recorded in meeting transcript). - Motion to disburse 25% of net proceeds to American Legion Post 144: moved and passed; multiple members stated they would abstain where they serve with the Legion (those recusals were noted during the vote). - Motion to transfer approximately $16,590.50 to a veterans monument fund and to include a line item for that fund in future reports: moved, seconded and approved. - Motion to approve a draft letter to the congressman supporting the monument as a legislative priority: moved, seconded and approved.

Committee members discussed the fundraiser’s gross and net figures in detail during the meeting. Staff presented a set of line-item costs and options for savings (barricades, timing charges, DJ and photographer fees), and members identified possible duplicate charges in the expense report; the net proceeds figure discussed during the meeting was approximately $23,454 but members asked staff to reconcile the final accounting before distributions were finalized.

The committee also agreed to maintain the current Reindeer Run logo with only small updates for next year and to form a subcommittee to review vendor contracts, police staffing and budget line items earlier in the planning cycle. The next event date and subcommittee meeting were tentatively set (the committee referenced a December event schedule).

What’s next: staff will obtain the Knights of Columbus W-9 and finalize the check; town staff will post a line item for the veterans monument fund in future reports; committee members said they will convene a budgeting subcommittee to review policing maps, vendor invoices and savings opportunities before the next Reindeer Run.