Miami-Dade's 2026 budget: What did, didn't get approved
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In a marathon meeting last week that lasted nearly 10 hours, Miami-Dade County commissioners approved Mayor Daniella Levine Cava's $12.9 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year.
Why it matters: The approval came after months of pushback from community and nonprofit organizations, and Levine Cava walking back most of her initially proposed cuts.
State of play: The final budget nixed the 50-cent increase to Metrorail and bus fares and kept property tax rates flat, the Miami Herald reported.
- It included a 3.5% increase in water rates and raised the yearly suburban trash fee by about $5, per the outlet.
- The budget closed the Office of New Americans, which was included in the initial proposal, and made cuts to some county park services.
- The $21 million cash subsidy for the World Cup, which some elected officials proposed halting, made the final cut.
Catch up quick: In July, Levine Cava proposed cutting between 10% and 35% for some departments, more than $12 million in cultural grant funding and increasing costs for local transit options to offset a more than $400 million deficit for 2026.
- But earlier this month, she walked back those plans, announcing that all arts and charity grant funding had been reinstated, following a partial reallocation in August.
- The final budget also spared MetroConnect, though instead of offering free rides, it will now cost $3.75 per trip.
Between the lines: Community organizations applauded Levine Cava for reinstating many of her proposed cuts.
Yes, but: Activists have called on the county to liquidate its investments in Israeli bonds to offset the deficit by reinvesting the dollars in local initiatives.
- Ahead of Thursday's meeting, the Break the Bonds Miami campaign, led by South Florida Jewish Voices for Peace, released a report highlighting how many Miami-Dade residents are against their taxpayer dollars being invested in Israel.
What's next: Levine Cava's budget estimates the county could face a $94 million deficit in 2027.