FIRST BUDGET HEARING – September 10, 2026

The City of Miami held its first budget hearing on September 10, 2026, to discuss the proposed millage rate, tentative budget adoption, and agency budgets for the fiscal year starting October 1, 2026. The city presented a proposed operating budget of approximately $1.862 billion and a six-year capital plan totaling $1.88 billion, including $89 million in new capital appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. Key budget allocations include public safety (56.5% of the budget), salaries and benefits (about 80% of the budget), and capital projects focused on resilience and public works. The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) also presented its budget with a tentative millage rate slightly above the rollback rate. Public comments raised concerns about surveillance expenditures, particularly license plate reader systems, and the high proportion of the budget dedicated to salaries and benefits versus infrastructure. The commission discussed budget amendments and approved several items, including the tentative millage rate of 7.3616 mills for property taxes to fund the general operating budget and debt service. The meeting included motions and unanimous votes on budget items and amendments, with some items taken separately due to their significance.