HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.24.2025 - Special City Council MeetingCity of Miami Gardens
Special City Council Meeting - 2nd Budget Hearing Minutes
September 24, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The City Council for the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, met in special session,
Sep 24 2025, beginning at 5:04 PM, in the Council Chambers, 18605 NW 27th
Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida.
The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Rodney Harris,
Councilwoman Katrina Wilson, Councilwoman Katrina L. Baskin, Councilman
Reggie Leon, Councilwoman Michelle C. Powell, D.O., MPH, Councilwoman
Linda Julien, and Vice Mayor Robert Stephens.
Also in attendance were: City Manager Cameron Benson, City Attorney Sonja
Dickens, and City Clerk Mario Bataille.
2. INVOCATION
Vice Mayor Stephens delivered the Invocation.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Recited in unison.
4. RESOLUTION(S)/PUBLIC HEARING(S)
Mayor Harris announced this is the second of two public hearings for the
adoption of the operating millage rate and budget for the City of Miami Gardens
for fiscal year 2025/2026.
4.1. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING A FINAL MILLAGE RATE AT A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE
LEVIED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2025,
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 FOR OPERATING PURPOSES;
ESTABLISHING THE ROLLBACK RATE; ESTABLISHING THE DEBT
MILLAGE RATE APPROVED BY THE ELECTORATE; PROVIDING FOR
DIRECTIONS TO THE CHIEF BUDGET OFFICER THROUGH THE
CITY MANAGER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Harris stated the proposed millage rate for the city for fiscal year
2025/2026 is 6.9363, which is 7.90% over the roll-back rate, and the voted
debt service millage rate is 0.4331. The aggregate millage rate for fiscal
year 2025/2026 is 7.3694.
Deputy City Manager Craig Clay provided an overview of the item and
recommended approval.
Mayor Harris opened the floor for public comment.
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September 24, 2025
Special City Council – 2nd Budget Hearing
Carol Jones, 750 NW 175th Drive, Miami Gardens, FL, appeared before
the City Council referencing the Notice of Proposed Tax Increase
published in the Miami Herald and inquired how the notice affects her
property taxes.
In response to the inquiry, Deputy City Manager Clay clarified that the City
is not raising property taxes. He noted that the City’s millage rate has
remained unchanged for the past thirteen years. However, he explained
that any increase in a homeowner’s tax bill may be due to other taxing
authorities or an increase in the property’s assessed value.
There being no further public comment, Mayor Harris closed the floor.
A motion was made by Councilman Leon, seconded by
Councilwoman Baskin, to approve the Resolution.
Councilwoman Julien applauded staff and the Legislative Body for
maintaining the millage rate for the past thirteen years.
Vice Mayor Stephens commended staff for their work in developing the
proposed budget while maintaining, improving, and expanding City
services. He suggested implementing more public education and
outreach efforts to clearly communicate the details of the budget to
residents, noting that this is not the first time the public has questioned
whether the City intends to raise taxes.
Deputy City Manager Clay stated that the City will prepare and release a
press statement reaffirming that there have been no tax increases, while
also highlighting improvements reflected in the budget.
Councilwoman Wilson recommended that an article addressing the City’s
budget and the water surcharge matter be featured on the front page of
the City’s Community Newspaper.
A motion made by Councilman Leon, seconded by Vice Mayor
Stephens, to defer the Millage Resolution until after a discussion on
the Budget Ordinance passed and carried by a unanimous voice
vote.
A motion made by Councilwoman Wilson, seconded by Vice Mayor
Stephens, to recall the Millage Resolution passed and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
There being no further comments, Mayor Harris called the question.
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September 24, 2025
Special City Council – 2nd Budget Hearing
A motion offered by Councilman Leon, seconded by Councilwoman
Baskin, to approve the Resolution passed and carried by a 7 to 0 roll
call vote of the City Council.
Mayor Harris Yes
Vice Mayor Stephens Yes
Councilwoman Baskin Yes
Councilman Leon Yes
Councilwoman Powell, D.O., MPH Yes
Councilwoman Wilson Yes
Councilwoman Julien Yes
5. ORDINANCES ON FOR SECOND READING/PUBLIC
HEARING(S):
5.1. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
GARDENS, FLORIDA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY’S
BUDGET FOR THE 2026 FISCAL YEAR; PROVIDING FOR THE
EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR CARRYOVER OF
FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR INTERFUND TRANSFERS; PROVIDING
FOR AUTOMATIC AMENDMENT; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF
REPRESENTATIONS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT;
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Harris opened the floor for public comment.
There being no public comment, Mayor Harris closed the floor.
A motion was made by Councilman Leon, seconded by
Councilwoman Baskin, to approve the Ordinance on Second
Reading.
Answering a question posed by Councilwoman Wilson, Deputy City
Manager Clay stated that staff will evaluate the feasibility of increasing
the size of the marquee sign in front of City Hall. He added that this
evaluation will include determining whether a larger sign would be a
distraction to drivers and whether it would comply with the City’s sign
code. He concluded that a report will be provided to the City Council on
staff’s findings and confirmed that funding is available in the budget for
such a project.
Answering a question posed by Vice Mayor Stephens, Deputy City
Manager Clay confirmed that sufficient funding is included in the budget
to support an increase in the size of the marquee sign, should an
adjustment be approved.
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September 24, 2025
Special City Council – 2nd Budget Hearing
A motion made by Councilman Leon, seconded by Councilwoman
Julien, to defer the Budge Ordinance until after approval of the
Millage Resolution passed and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
A motion made by Councilman Leon, seconded by Vice Mayor
Stephens, to recall the Budget Ordinance passed and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
There being no further discussion, Mayor Harris called the question.
A motion offered by Councilman Leon, seconded by Councilwoman
Baskin, to approve the Ordinance on Second Reading passed and
carried by a 7 to 0 roll call vote of the City Council.
Mayor Harris Yes
Vice Mayor Stephens Yes
Councilwoman Baskin Yes
Councilman Leon Yes
Councilwoman Powell, D.O., MPH Yes
Councilwoman Wilson Yes
Councilwoman Julien Yes
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss before this body, the meeting
adjourned without objection at 5:21 p.m.
Rodney Harris, Mayor
Mario Bataille, City Clerk
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