Tallahassee update - What monies are currently listed in House Bill 5001 - General Appropriations Act – a review of what is currently earmarked for our local Miami-Dade municipal communities –including Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Cutler Bay & Palmetto HS

Remember, nothing in the budget is final until the Governor signs the budget (after any line item vetoes) and please note: This post is part of an ongoing series and updates a PRIOR RELATED POST of February 6, 2020, Palmetto Bay legislative appropriations requests - Appropriations Project Request -Fiscal Year 2020-21. 

I have researched the pending appropriations bills and I am reporting on the local monies currently listed. Here are the highlights (click on the HB Numbers at right of each item listed immediately below to view the detailed documents relating to the specific Appropriations Project Request):

    100,000  Miami Palmetto Senior High School Athletic Field (HB 4987)
    250,000  Deering Estate Foundation’s Field Study Research Center Phase 2 (HB 2627)
    100,000  Cutler Bay Wetland Restoration Project (HB 3757)
    150,000  Homestead Automatic Flushing System (HB 3165)
    100,000  Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 61 Construction (HB 3461)
    100,000  Pinecrest Stormwater Improvements (HB 3807)

Listed below is a larger current list of local monies currently provided for in House Bill 5001 - General Appropriations Act (HB 5001). Current listings for Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Doral, Homestead, Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest are posted in BOLDFACE type below. This is merely the current list, everything is fluid in Tallahassee – The House and Senate have to agree on the budget – a budget conference will be held and then the joint budget is submitted to the Governor where staff goes through it with a fine tooth comb – this is where many items in the budget are removed through a line item veto. Only then, does the Governor approve the budget.

HB 5001 - General Appropriations Act: Provides moneys for annual period beginning July 1, 2020, & ending June 30, 2021, & supplemental appropriations for period ending June 30, 2020, to pay salaries & other expenses, capital outlay—buildings & other improvements, & for other specified purposes of various agencies of state government.

Effective Date: July 1, 2020

CLICK HERE to view all projects – search for the local projects - currently listed in HB 5001 as of 8:00 AM, Thursday, February 20, 2020 (again, subject to change):

Non-water projects:

1,000,000  City of Hialeah Educational Academy (HB 4499)

    250,000  Deering Estate Foundation’s Field Study Research Center Phase 2 (HB 2627)

    100,000  Miami Palmetto Senior High School Athletic Field (HB 4987)

    350,000  Doral Intersection Signalization Pedestrian Safety (HB 4201)

$30,002,907 is currently provided for in the House appropriations bill for "Grants and Aids to Local Governments and non-state entities ...." - commonly referred to as "water project money":

Water projects:

Listed as “From the funds in Specific Appropriation 1635A, $30,002,907 in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is provided for the following water projects:”

    100,000  Aventura Curbing of Swale Flooding on Country Club Drive (HB 2875

    100,000  Bal Harbour Village Stormwater System Improvements (HB  2877)

    100,000  Coral Gables Canal Dredging (HB 2633)

    100,000  Coral Gables Comprehensive Inflow and Infiltration Program (HB 3035)

    200,000  Coral Gables Waterway Conveyance & Water Quality Imps (HB 3965)

    100,000  Cutler Bay Wetland Restoration Project (HB 3757)

    100,000  Doral Stormwater Improvements NW 89 Pl (25-20 St.) (HB 3205)

    170,000  Doral Stormwater Master Plan Update (HB 3447)

    100,000  El Portal Little River Septic to Sewer NE 2nd Avenue  Commercial (HB 3441)

    100,000  El Portal Sherwood Forest (NE 3rd Avenue) Little River Stormwater (HB 3417)

    150,000  Homestead Automatic Flushing System (HB 3165)

    150,000  Miami Beach Water Main Aerial Crossing MacArthur Causeway (HB 2539)

      20,000  Miami Gardens NW 159 Street Drainage Improvement Project (HB 3405)

      30,000  Miami Gardens NW 195 Street/NW 12 Ave Stormwater Drainage  (HB 3407)

1,000,000  Miami Lakes Loch Lomond Drainage Improvements Project (HB 3553)

1,000,000  Miami Lakes Royal Oaks Drainage Improvements Project (HB  3389)

    100,000  Miami Shores Village Shores Estates Drain Water System  (HB 3443)

    100,000  North Bay Village Treasure Island Pump Station (HB 2523)

    100,000  North Miami Beach Corona del Mar Phase II Sewer System (HB 2881)

    100,000  North Miami Beach NE 19th Ave Business District Sanitary Sewer System (HB 2883)

    100,000  North Miami Septic to Sewer Conversions (HB 3439)

    100,000  Palmetto Bay Sub-Basin 61 Construction (HB 3461)

    100,000  Pinecrest Stormwater Improvements (HB 3807)

    100,000  Sunny Isles Beach Golden Shores Pump Station (HB 2555)

    150,000  Virginia Gardens 37 Street Stormwater Improvements (HB 3751)

    150,000  Virginia Gardens 62 Ave & 40 Terr Stormwater/ADA  Improvements (HB 3401)

    200,000  West Miami Potable Water System Improvements Phase II (HB 3387)

Fair questions: Return on investment. How often are Palmetto Bay officials traveling to Tallahassee, how much 'quality time' are they spending in Tallahassee and what are the local taxpayers receiving in return? When I say "spending", I am looking to travel and related budget costs as well as time. 

We should consider whether the current Palmetto Bay Mayor and members of the Village Council are being realistic in their budget requests or are they merely star struck tourists spending the Village budget chasing sexy, but wholly unrealistic goals? Is work being done in Tallahassee or does the time spent amount to little more than the taking of self-promotional selfies, with no real substantive results? I’m not buying the scheme of this is all a set up for next year – that appears to be a self-repeating mantra for this current crew. Each and every budget year is unique – the State of Florida does not prepare rolling budgets.

Remember – the original 2020-2021 appropriation requests from Palmetto Bay officials totaled $ 3,245,900. This is a HUGE request, a number that appears worthy of significant travel and constant advocating in Tallahassee, but not the $100,000 total that is currently earmarked in the State budget. 

The extensive travel time and expense does not appear to be an effective use of Palmetto Bay taxpayer dollars, especially when so many deadlines, e.g., blowing the downtown development moratorium, are being missed here in Palmetto Bay.

Or, some have asked me whether any of our electeds are traveling to Tallahassee at Palmetto Bay cost in order to chase other goals?  Interesting.

Lawsuit? What lawsuit? Palmetto Bay is now a bit player in future decisions to be made regarding traffic solutions along SW 87th Avenue and surrounding areas.

We will all look back at Monday, February 10, 2020, as the day that the County took control over decisions on what happens to traffic moving within Palmetto Bay. But it gets worse. The decisions are not to be made just by Miami-Dade County, but in consultation with outside elected officials from the surrounding communities of Homestead, Cutler Bay and Pinecrest. Mayors from the listed municipalities met with Miami-Dade County Mayor Gimenez - downtown at County Hall on Monday, February 10, 2020, to discuss what needed traffic solutions along SW 87th Avenue and surrounding areas should be applied within Palmetto Bay. 

There is no doubt. Mayor Gimenez advised that the County is stepping in and undertaking a traffic study to address what will be the most effective solutions for the area. These solutions will then be applied. Done and done. This radical new format effectively removes Palmetto Bay as decision maker as the decisions will be controlled  by Miami-Dade County, in consultation with officials representing Homestead, Cutler Bay and Pinecrest. 

I wonder how much input Palmetto Bay will be given to needed traffic solutions / issues in unincorporated Miami-Dade, Homestead, Cutler Bay and Pinecrest.  Anyone? ... Anyone?

Fair question: How is that Palmetto Bay lawsuit and petty saber rattling working out right now for the current Palmetto Bay elected leaders?

Not well. Palmetto Bay has now lost most, if not all of it's relevance, as now Palmetto Bay will merely be included in the discussion led by Miami-Dade County along with the neighboring communities of Homestead, Cutler Bay and Pinecrest. From leader and decision maker to merely a participant, if not even a mere spectator. 

Go ahead and say it Mayor Cunningham and members of the Council (the community is now well-aware, even if you still won't admit it) - you are no longer masters of your own domain!

Obviously, Miami-Dade County is now stepping in to fill the void in leadership here in Palmetto Bay that has seen the following crisis of indecision and reversal of traffic program that began to unravel as of December 5, 2018. I brought this crisis to readers back on October 25, 2019, when I raised the fair question as to how the current Mayor and council overstepped their authority in reaching a formal agreement with Miami-Dade County, through the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) without bringing the proposal back to the residents. It is a fair question as others have wondered whether this lawsuit is an abject 'abdication of responsibility' of the responsibility of their elected office as spelled out in the Village Charter for Mayor Cunningham and the entire Village Council to maintain civility, communication and advocate for Palmetto Bay with Miami-Dade County.

Failure to keep promises, backing out of a traffic circle for SW 87th Avenue at SW 144th, failure to follow through on the traffic programs for Farmer Road, Malbrook, Old Cutler Road, including the neighborhood off SW 156th, East of Old Cutler Road to 77th Avenue. 

TRAFFIC RELIEF PLANS REMAIN ON HOLD: Planned traffic relief set for implementation in early 2019 has come to a screeching halt – Malbrook, 152/77th Area, Old Cutler Road (south of 168th), Farmers Road/Old Cutler North, bike lanes for SW 136 Street (morphing to an enlarged sidewalk solely borne by Palmetto Bay residents), as well as the right turn lane on Ludlum, turning right onto eastbound Old Cutler Road – all currently off the rails. See October 17, 2018, Update on Palmetto Bay Traffic Projects - and further updates will be posted as available 

Where is the follow up on the right turn lane worked out with Miami-Dade County on Ludlum Road at the intersection with Old Cutler Road/136 Street (and don't get me started on how the bike lanes for SW 136th Street became a 8-10 foot play path limited to the Palmetto Bay side of SW 136th Street - See: October 30, 2019, Pinecrest Wins, Palmetto Bay loses.) What about the overall Marlin Engineering traffic plan approved in 2016?

The tool box on this issue - prior relevant posts:

• BREAKING NEWS - County was set to remove stop signs, but will wait for Village Council to reconsider Traffic Circle
• Palmetto Bay - salvage what you can before the door actually closes on the traffic circle for 174 and 87th Avenue
• What is next for traffic management in Palmetto Bay. I missed a report if there was one on Jan 6. Where is the plan?
• South Dade Updates Guest Blog- view of the 12/12/2019 Palmetto Bay / Miami-Dade County conflict resolution proceeding
• Waiting for Palmetto Bay’s official response – Cutler Bay site alleges that the 174/87th 4 way stop to be removed January 17. Where is the announcement, what about the lawsuit?
• Additional background:
• December 10, 2019, Agenda for the Conflict Resolution/Mediation set for 2:00 PM, Thursday, 12/12/19. Agenda includes public comment. Should you/must you go to state your position. Fair questions in advance.
• October 25, 2019, Thoughts on the most recent litigation FILED by the village: Good faith or is this a less than good faith attempt to avoid a deal that the Mayor and Council had no authority to make?
• October 17, 2018, Update on Palmetto Bay Traffic Projects - and further updates will be posted as available
• December 6, 2019, Are we reaching the end game? What is the strategy and what is the long term goal of the current Mayor and Village Council Members? Fire by volley.

Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) - FY2020-2021 Recommended Priority List

Which municipalities submitted for funding and made the list? The Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) considered all applicants, determining that 134 projects were worthy for funding. The projects are ranked from #1 to #134.  The 2020-21 list includes #18 Key Biscayne, #23 Homestead, #27 Cutler Bay, #40 Miami Beach, #56 Virginia Gardens, #57 Bay Harbor Islands, #68 Sweetwater, #87 South Miami, and #92 North Bay Village. 

A fair question: Did Palmetto Bay even submit for FRDAP funding this cycle? Palmetto Bay was very successful in the past - FRDAP monies have been used in all of our parks. It is foolish and fiscally irresponsible to ignore $50,000 to $200,000 per year. Palmetto Bay does have an in-house, full time grant writer. 

(CLICK HERE) to view the FRDAP ranking list for FY 2020-21. I have posted the local Miami-Dade Municipalities who submitted funding requests and had their proposals make the ranking list (1-134) chose as eligible to receive funding, subject, of course, to the funding provided to FRDAP by the Florida Legislature and approved by the Governor.

Listed below are local projects (Miami-Dade County) that I identified that are contending for funding. The number to the immediate left of the municipality name is the ranking of the application, followed by name of municipality, description of project, and funding amount proposed. 

Note that not all projects may receive funding.  Projects are funded in order of rank.

18 Key Biscayne               530 Crandon Phase I                                       $ 200,000
23 Homestead                  Mayor Roscoe Warren Municipal Park         $ 125,000
27 Cutler Bay                    Franjo Park Restoration Project                      $ 200,000
40 Miami Beach              Fairway Park                                                      $ 200,000
56 Virginia Gardens       Athletic Complex Phase III                               $   50,000
57 Bay Harbor Islands    Tot Lot Park                                                       $   50,000
68 Sweetwater                  Linear Park Improvements                              $   50,000
87 South Miami               S Miami Park Playground & Fitness 
                                                     Outdoor Equipment Project                     $   50,000
92 North Bay Village      NBay Village Canoe/Kayak 
                                                     Launch Project                                           $  50,000

$12,342,750.00 Total amount of funding sought by FRDAP (guaranteeing all projected listed above receive full funding). 

This is an update (and part of what can be considered your Florida Legislature 2020 "tool box") of the RELATED POST of February 6, 2020, Palmetto Bay legislative appropriations requests - Appropriations Project Request - Fiscal Year 2020-21

FRDAP is one of the legislative goals of the Current Palmetto Bay Mayor and Council (see prior post), for the 2020 legislative session, specifically:

Palmetto Bay Resolution no. 2019-121 included:
Note: A. - E. Omitted

F. Seeking funding assistance for the Village’s FRDAP and other such FDEP projects to address park capital improvements and park property acquisitions.

Coming soon - additional updates and fair questions.

Palmetto Bay resident Mike Estevez and his fellow cyclist - first reported the bear sighting.

The Bear sightings have increased and some are worried. Palmetto Bay resident Mike Estevez and his fellow cyclists broke the bear sighting Sunday, June 30, 2019, see my post of same date: Why I bike - local nature seen via cycling South Miami-Dade County. Bears, tortoises, fish and Iguanas

In the meantime, please take precautions to avoid enticing bears into your neighborhood, where it becomes at risk for an encounter with humans. Some bear advocates recommend the following:

• Properly store garbage and recycling.
• Properly maintain bird feeders
• Avoid smelly compost, and other enticing non-natural attractants

It is mango season, so please, 

• Pick ripe fruit from your trees

More information is available about The Florida Black Bear on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website (CLICK HERE).

Please, please - do not molest or entice the bear. Hopefully it will go back into obscurity at its earliest opportunity never to be heard from again. 

Memo, July 16, 2018, Update to Revenue Available for Rapid Transit Corridor Conceptual Financial Plan

Memorandum of July 16, 2018, from County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez to Chair and Members, Board of County Commissioners (9 pages), entitled "Update to Revenue Available for Rapid Transit Corridor Conceptual Financial Plan"

(CLICK HERE) to download and review the copy from my Dropbox.

Link to the Executive Summary for the South Corridor Rapid Transit Project

(CLICK HERE) To view the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW) - Executive Summary for the South Corridor Rapid Transit Project (Marked "DRAFT").  

This is a 31 page document I placed in my Dropbox for your download and review.

SMART Poll Shows Palmetto Bay and Surrounding Cites Want Rail or Tax Repeal if Buses Win Out

The following is from an official Village of Palmetto Bay media release:

Palmetto Bay, FL (July 7, 2018) - South Miami-Dade residents have spoken. The results are overwhelmingly in favor of rail as the preferred mode of mass transit along the 20-mile South Dade Busway. Don't let the consultants highly misleading numbers fool you. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has called for a vote on the matter July 19th. Here are the numbers from a recent poll that was taken regarding rail v BRT (Bus Rapid Transit). This poll was developed to gauge real voter sentiment after misleading numbers. State Rep. Kionne McGhee, former Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner, Cutler Bay Mayor Peggy Bell and Palmetto Bay Mayor Eugene Flinn, along with the Councils of Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay have continuously endorsed rail as the only viable solution..   The poll was conducted via telephone: Palmetto Bay: 82% responded yes, the County did not keep their promise on the 1/2 Cent sales tax 83% Indicated that they want rail 74%  Would support repeal of the 1/2 cent transportation sales tax in the event we do not get rail. Cutler Bay: 70% responded yes, the County did not keep their promise on the 1/2 Cent sales tax 77% Indicated that they want rail 75% Would support repeal of the 1/2 cent transportation sales tax in the event we do not get rail. City of Homestead: 60% responded yes, the County did not keep their promise on the 1/2 Cent sales tax 69% Indicated that they want rail 56% Would support repeal of the 1/2 cent transportation sales tax in the event we do not get rail. Florida City: 47% responded yes, the County did not keep their promis on the 1/2 Cent sales tax 80% Indicated that they want rail 60% Would support repeal of the 1/2 cent transportation sales tax in the event we do not get rail. Leaders from these communities are glad to see that they are right in advocating for rail.    "The taxpayers have been paying on promises since 2002. It's time for those promises to be kept, rail to be delivered, and not another failed attempt at taking taxpayer's monies for maintenance and operations", says Palmetto Bay Mayor Eugene Flinn. "We polled our residents in Cutler Bay to ensure their voice was heard on this issue", said Cutler Bay Mayor Peggy Bell. "We heard them loud and clear - Give Us the RAIL! Over 2 billion dollars have been spent in 16 years in more affluent communities, while our residents pay the same but only get inadequate bus service". State Representative Kionne McGhee echoes the frustration of his colleagues. "Denying the North and South Dade communities the opportunity to experience MetroRail is simply a continuation of the county suppressing our abilities to have public access to the best of what Miami-Dade has to offer". Concerned residents are encouraged to contact the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) TPO@mdtpo.org and attend their next SMART Plan meeting. It will be held Thursday, July 19, 2018, at 1:30 pm, 111 NW 1st St., Commission Chambers, 2nd Floor, Miami, FL 33128.

(L to R) State Representative Kionne McGhee, Cutler Bay Mayor Peggy Bell, former Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner, and Village of Palmetto Bay Mayor Eugene Flinn. For More Information: KCraig@palmettobay-fl.gov

Update - on the 2018 June 1st Estimates of Taxable Values released by Property Appraiser, Pedro J. Garcia

Property Appraiser, Pedro J. Garcia, has released the 2018 June 1st Estimates of Taxable Values to the Taxing Authorities showing a continued growth in the real estate market. The countywide estimated taxable value for 2018 is $288,859,000,000, a 6.0% increase from 2017.

I have listed below the taxing districts that I (Mayor Eugene Flinn) usually follow as relevant to Palmetto Bay:

 Gain    Taxing authority                                           New construction $ expressed in Millions

  3.90   Coral Gables                                                   $161 m

  5.50   Cutler Bay                                                       $   9 m

  3.80   Doral                                                               $595 m

  5.50   Homestead                                                     $  85 m

  4.00   Palmetto Bay                                                  $    5 m

  3.40   Pinecrest                                                         $  35 m

  4.70   South Miami                                                    $  24 m

  3.90   Unincorporated Miami-Dade (UMSA)             $903 m

Countywide and School Board will affect your countywide portions of your tax bill

  3.90   Countywide                                                    $5,679,000,000.00

  3.30   School Board                                                 $5,683,000,000.00

Note that the differences in estimated taxable value between the Countywide and School Board is due to various additional homestead exemptions applicable to Miami-Dade County that do NOT apply to the School Board.  This is equally applicable to the municipalities and UMSA listed above.

Initial estimate released June 1:

The Miami-Dade Property Appraiser issued the June 1, 2018 Estimates of Taxable Value to Miami-Dade County's Taxing Authorities.  This allows the County, School Board, and local governments such as Coral Gables, Cuter Bay, Homestead, Doral, South Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami and UMSA to proceed with the preparation of their 2018-2019 budgets.

Final Property Roll to be released July 1.

July 1st the Property Appraiser’s Office will publish the 2018 Assessment Roll, which provides the taxing authorities with their official numbers to set their millage (tax) rates.

It is early, but to get a preview of my philosophy, see my post from August 4, 2017, Budgeting for our 2017-18 fiscal year. I remain committed to "government 'lite'" in Palmetto Bay. And yes, I firmly remain committed to Government Lite and keep the property tax rate the same, and that includes any actions taken on Parks, including the proposed Community Center.

Your Mayor,

Eugene Flinn

Buses Are Not “Rapid” Transit, by: Stephen Zarzecki, Community Newspapers, April 9, 2018

Steve Zarzecki pens a rebuttal to a prior column: “Let’s Get Rapid Transit on the Transitway”

Click the headline to read Stephen Zarzecki's column - Busses Are Not “Rapid” Transit, posted online on the Community Newspapers, April 9, 2018.  Mr. Zarzecki responds to what he terms, 'A recent inaccurate and misleading column in the Community News by James McDonald, “Let’s Get Rapid Transit on the Transitway”, cries out for rebuttal. I would like to simply state some facts that he has ignored.' 

Please click the link to read the entire article. The text in the photo in no way comprises the entire article. 

Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay remain committed to the most effective transit solutions. Participating in a panel before the South Dade Chamber of Commerce

The fight for rail continues. Cutler Bay. I took part in a panel today in Homestead before the South Dade Chamber of Commerce, General Membership Luncheon.

The main guest speaker was Alice Bravo, Director of DTPW.  All the South Dade municipalities were represented - Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, Homestead and Florida City.

This was my turn to address Homestead/Florida Cities - areas undergoing growth and suffering severe traffic woes to get north.  ​There have been several recent Transportation Summits at the municipal and county levels. Director Bravo provided her update regarding the pending environmental studies by our County', as well as the different timelines of anticipated future actions.

We need rail, not a band aid. The ridership is there to serve rail.  The issues are first/last mile, parking and the fact that there is a shortage of buses to transport both those whoare riding as well as those who would ride if the County would deliver on the promises of the half cent penny transportation sales tax.  We have buses that qualify fully as "BRT" based upon what we observed in Los Angeles - known as the "Gold Standard" and aptly names their "Gold Line."  Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay remain concerned that there will be insufficient investment in transit - planning for 30-40 years out, not merely to cover the current County created transportation crisis.

 

Traffic solutions. Continuing the collaboration and implementation. South Dade at work on traffic

Thank you Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava and fellow South Miami Dade Mayors - Joe Corradino, Peggy Bell and Jeff Porter, as we work with consultants, and our County  / municipal partners on updates, timelines on implementation strategies for many of the items vetted at the South Dade Traffic Summit.

County and municipal administrators / staff were preset including the TPO Exec Director, and Miami-Dade County Government DTPW reps.

The South Florida Commuter Service briefed us on van pools that service major businesses, ride share apps, and programs for carpooling to schools.  

We are working to get our schools engaged in this traffic effort.

#SouthDade #TrafficSolutions

Groups working hard to serve a hot meal in this time of need.

Groups working hard to actually serve a hot meal in this time of need.

Thank you Christ Fellowship for yet another community outreach in time on need. 

Hot meals for Friday, 9/15/2017:

11:30 AM and again at 5:30 PM : Christ Fellowship has partnered with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) to provide a fully functional feeding station at the Palmetto Bay campus. Meals will be given out at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m everyday for as long as there is a need. #CFgratitude

Christ Fellowship Palmetto Bay campus
8900 SW 168th St
Palmetto Bay, Florida, FL 33157
(305) 238-1818


11:00 AM at Homestead Senior High School - notification received from Dr. Larry Feldman, Chair, School Board of Miami-Dade County.  Thank you Dr. Feldman and Miami-Dade County Schools.

Homestead Senior High School
2351 SE 12th Ave
Homestead, FL 33035
Phone: (305) 245-7000

I will continue to update this information as it becomes available.

Thank you for all of those who continue to step forward as "Hurricane Heros"!

Your Mayor,

Eugene Flinn

Notes from Participation in South Miami-Dade Municipal EOC call/conference - 1:30 PM 9/7

A conference call was held at 1:30 today

Here are my notes from Participation in South Miami-Dade Municipal EOC call/conference.

Thank you Commissioner Cava for putting this together. 

This storm needs to be taken seriously.  I was present along with representatives from Pinecrest, Cutler Bay, Homestead, Florida City and Office of the County Mayor along with the MDC EOC.

Miami-Dade County is under both a Hurricane and Storm Surge Watch and there is presently a mandatory evacuation order under effect for zones A, mobile homes and barrier Islands. 

The order will likely be extended to B and possibly parts of C – this will be on an address/street by street basis – you may need to call 311 or Miamidade.gov/emergency to view the specific areas where the mandatory evacuations are called.

8 evaluation centers are now open.  There were 670 occupants as of the report at the conference.  Included are special medical needs/02 dependent.  Commissioner Cava has been advocating for additional South Dade shelters.  No transportation? County evacuation buses are circulating.  Busses are picking up – no one is at the stops - it remains available and operation for those who need the transportation. 

3-1-1 has gone to 24/7.  It is busy so be persistent if you need to access a call. Please lave 3-1-1 open for others if you can find the information you need on the county website – MiamiDade.gov/emergency

Medical assisted transport for evacuation – call 311 – special needs should be registered – there is a ongoing database – but make that last minute addition if you need.  Time is running short to do this so, you should have completed your preparations early Friday.

MAKE THAT CALL NOW if you need.  There is a wait for 3-1-1 so be persistent. There will be a time when it is announced that they cannot take on any registrants.

It is time to complete your preparations.  The deadline to be on the road, if evacuating is early Friday evening.  The gale force winds are expected by early Saturday morning. 

Garbage regular pick up is still scheduled for collection on the regular Thursday and Friday Scheduled. 

Please bring in and secure your cans ASAP. 

No NEW PILES – the County Bulky Waste is 2,000 behind.  No new pick up tickets . There is no way to pick up any new debris piles. 

Volunteer network listed on the County Web Site – those who are available and can provide assisted 

Your tax dollars - full millage chart for all municipalities and the unincorporated area (UMSA). Read on to find your Overall Total Millage (combined property taxes)

Every property owner pays a tax for municipal services - regardless of whether that property is situated in an incorporated or unincorporated area (its called "UMSA" and substitutes for the municipality) -  some areas have “Debt Service" and other Miscellaneous Millage tacked on as well. 

I have posted the full mileage chart for all municipalities and the unincorporated area (UMSA). Read on to find your Overall Total Millage (combined property taxes)

       YOUR COMBINED – TOTAL OVERALL PROPERTY MILLAGE RATE:

                   (I selected 6 neighboring municipalities and compared with UMSA)

17.8921     UNINCORPORATED MIAMI-DADE (UMSA)

17.8636    DORAL
18.2638   PINECREST
18.2930   PALMETTO BAY 
18.3545   CUTLER BAY        
20.6293   SOUTH MIAMI
22.4787   HOMESTEAD

ALL COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES:

Every county resident pays into Miami-Dade County School Board

7.1380 operating millage

0.1840 for debt service.

Countywide Property Tax millage

4.6669 for operating
0.4000 debt. 

All municipal (and UMSA) residents, but for those living in only 5 cities pay for

County Fire Service –

2.4207 for operating and

0.0075 for debt service. 

All municipal (and UMSA) residents, but for those living in only 5 cities pay for

County LIBRARY Service –

0.2840 for operating –

ZERO   for debt service.

County special (voter approved Property Tax) –

All property tax payers in Miami-Dade County pay 0.5000 for the Children’s Trust

All properties in Miami-Dade County are assessed the following REGIONAL Millages:

0.1359  South Florida Water Management  
0.0471  Everglades Project
0.1477  Okeechobee Basin
0.0320  FIND

No municipality is left out on the chart (posted as a .JPEG below).  You can also view this same chart of the 2016 Adopted Millage Rates online, Miami-Dade County, : http://www.miamidade.gov/pa/library/2016-proposed-millage-chart.pdf

2016 Adopted Millage Rates

Want more information regarding your taxes?  Regardless of Taxing authority, the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser is your best source for information.  CLICK HERE for main page

SOME IMPORTANT DIRECT LINKS:

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs  (CLICK HERE)

Glossary of terms CLICK HERE - defines terms such as “ad valorem tax”; "Real property"; "Save Our Homes (SOH) - Amendment 10"; "Taxable value"; to "Timeshare period titleholder"

Thank you for reading and preparing for our 2017-2018 budget hearings.