MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — There has been plenty of discussion regarding Miami-Dade County’s proposed budged since it came out last month.
Residents are expected to voice their opinions on it during a town hall meeting on Monday night at the Westchester Regional Library.
The county is being forced to make some projected cuts due to a $402 million deficit.
For the first time, the county’s annual budget includes five departments that are newly independent from the county but remain funded by it. They include the Supervisor of Elections, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Clerk of Court, and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said half of the budget gap is driven by those new departments.
She spoke to Local 10 News’ Glenna Milberg Sunday morning on “This Week in South Florida” addressing the issue.
“We are all here for the same purpose, to provide for the needs of our residents,” she said. “We understand we are all drawing from the same pot, and that’s creating challenges, and that is why we have a $402 million gap that’s a big, big part of it to make sure that we can accommodate those new constitutional offices.”
A big chunk of the budget would go to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
The mayor is allocating $50 million, an 8.5% increase, but Sheriff Rosie Cordero Stutz is pushing for a bigger budget, requesting $93 million.
“Anything less is defunding the police, I respectfully ask that you fund the budget as submitted,” Cordero Stutz said.
“Public safety will always be number one,” said Levine Cava.
Projected $40 million cuts are for things like social services, nonprofits and charities.
The mayor said those cuts are difficult, but necessary to close the deficit.
A final vote on the budget will take place Sept. 4.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
