MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A Miami-Dade County commission budget meeting that ran from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning displayed a conflict that may end up in the hands of state officials.

During the budget process, there was a gap between what Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz requested, what Mayor Daniella Levine Cava proposed, and what commissioners passed before sunrise.

“What was approved last night was general fund of $66 million additional, which is almost $1 billion in total, but on top of that, her total budget is $1.2 billion,” Levine Cava said Friday.

Cordero-Stutz told commissioners that she would consider appealing to the Florida Cabinet’s Administration Commission if the agency’s needs aren’t met.

“My starting salaries are a problem. They are not where they need to be,” Cordero-Stutz told commissioners about deputies’ pay.

The sheriff told commissioners that she had an inherited 7.5% cost increase and needed an additional 4.97% to go above and beyond. She also said the MDSO was “woefully” understaffed, there was a need to increase the starting salary for new recruits, and the training center needed repairs.

“You have all seen our stations,” Cordero-Stutz told commissioners. “They are in terrible shape.”

Cordero-Stutz told commissioners that there was a need for $62.5 million in collective-bargaining “obligated” funds, as part of the third year of the bill.

“The sheriff’s office has no control over that dollar amount, none,” Cordero-Stutz said. “I must pay it.”

Cordero-Stutz said the MDSO was going to gradually move towards having an independent IT department.

Levine Cava said Cordero-Stutz asked for an additional $45 million, and the commission has “the ability” to work on budget amendments in the future.

Gov. Ron DeSantis chairs the Florida Cabinet’s Administration Commission, which is tasked by state law to “resolve state agency personnel matters.”

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office also has other revenue streams and separate contracts with the airport, seaport, and the parks department, according to Levine Cava.

“If the cabinet directs that we need to increase the sheriff’s budget, then, of course, the commission will meet again, and we will prepare recommendations on what services must be cut,” Levine Cava said.

Miami-Dade mayor prepares for sheriff to ask state to intervene after commissioners passed budget

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