The Miami Springs City Council held a special summer meeting on Thursday, July 23, 2026, to address key budgetary decisions for the upcoming fiscal year. Below is a comprehensive summary of the major discussions, legislative actions, and outcomes from the meeting.
1. Establishing the Maximum Millage Rate Cap (Item 5A)
The primary order of business was Item 5A, a resolution declaring the city’s proposed millage rate, rolled-back rate, and establishing the dates and times for the public budget hearings for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
- Proposed Rate Cap: The Council voted unanimously to establish the maximum millage rate cap at 6.81, which is flat compared to the current rate.
- Resident Tax Impact: Setting the cap at 6.81 guarantees that the property tax rate will not increase for Miami Springs residents. During the final budget hearings in September, the Council can vote to lower this rate, but they are legally barred from raising it above this 6.81 cap.
- Budget Philosophy: City Manager JC Jimenez noted that while the city has faced tight budgets in past years (borrowing from reserves two years ago), he saw no need to set a higher cap this year. The city will “hunker down” and balance the budget within the current rate.
2. The Looming Impact of Amendment 3
A major point of discussion was the impending vote on Amendment 3 on the Florida state ballot this November, which proposes significant property tax relief. If passed, it will lead to substantial municipal revenue cuts.
- Proactive Planning: The City Manager explained that instead of proactively raising the tax rate on residents to cushion the blow, the administration is preparing to “tighten its own belt” first.
- Phased Impact: The real financial impact of Amendment 3 would be felt in FY 2027-2028, followed by a second hit in FY 2028-2029, with subsequent adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
- Upcoming Budget Workshop: A detailed briefing and strategic planning session regarding Amendment 3 and the long-term budget will be held during the Budget Workshop on Monday, August 17th.
3. Council Discussion & Remote Attendance
- Elderly Protection: Participating remotely via Zoom from a family vacation, Councilman Joseph Dion thanked the City Manager and staff for putting residents first. He highlighted that Miami Springs has a large elderly population on fixed incomes who would be severely affected by any tax rate hikes.
- Skyrocketing Values: Vice Mayor Lamas, also participating remotely via Zoom, agreed that keeping the rate flat was the best course of action given skyrocketing property values and the tax burden already felt by residents.
- Rollback Rate Correction: The City Attorney noted a minor scribner’s error correction on the resolution to amend the rollback rate from 5.8 to 6.2 on the record.
Following public comments (where no residents stepped forward to speak), the resolution to set the millage rate cap at 6.81 passed unanimously with a 5-0 vote.
4. Deferral of Item 6A
- Item 6A (a separate resolution) was officially deferred to the next regular City Council meeting.
- The meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 10th, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
- The motion to defer passed unanimously with a 5-0 vote.
Meeting Adjournment
The meeting was brief, starting at 5:01 p.m. and officially adjourning at 5:16 p.m.
The next budget workshop is August 17th.
