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Miami Gardens schedules Sept. 9 and 23 budget hearings; council queries implementation if amendment passes
Summary
Council members asked how proposed cuts would be applied if voters approve a homestead-exemption amendment; staff said timing requires a balanced budget by Oct. 1 and that it's easier to restore cuts later via amendments than to implement cuts mid-year.
Craig Clay told the council that new state law will require the city’s September budget submission to include a listing of identified cuts. He said that even if cuts are later restored, the city must submit a balanced budget on time so it can begin the fiscal year on Oct. 1.
Vice Mayor (speaker S5) pressed the point, asking why the council would vote on proposed cuts now if the ballot outcome is uncertain. Clay replied that it is "a timing thing" and that preparing for a worst-case scenario makes it easier to restore funding later by budget amendment if the ballot measure does not pass. The council agreed staff could use the approach but cautioned that freezing 81 positions is disruptive to municipal services.
