The Brief

Miami-Dade County Approves $12.9 Billion Budget Amid $402 Million Deficit

In a marathon session, Miami-Dade commissioners approved a $12.9 billion budget, addressing a $402 million deficit without raising taxes.

In a marathon meeting that stretched into the early hours of Friday, September 19, 2025, the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners approved a $12.9 billion budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026. The approval came after months of deliberations aimed at closing a $402 million deficit without increasing taxes. The budget maintains the historically low property tax rate, a move that Mayor Daniella Levine Cava emphasized as crucial for residents. "I am proud of the work we accomplished together and confident that this budget will help build a stronger Miami-Dade for all," she stated. To address the deficit, the budget includes several key measures: - **Public Transit:** Despite initial proposals for a 50-cent fare increase for Metrorail and Metrobus, public transit fares will remain unchanged. - **Water and Trash Services:** The budget implements a 3.5% increase in water rates and raises the annual suburban trash fee by approximately $5. - **Departmental Consolidations:** To streamline operations, the budget proposes consolidating six county departments, aiming to eliminate duplication and improve efficiency. The budget also includes cuts to certain services and programs. Notably, the Office of New Americans, which provides services for immigrants, is among the agencies facing reductions. The approval of this budget marks a significant achievement for Mayor Levine Cava and the Board of County Commissioners, reflecting a collaborative effort to navigate fiscal challenges while preserving essential services for Miami-Dade residents.

ℹ️ Researched and summarized from public reporting. Check the sources below.

Sources

Miami-Dade County commissioners approve $12.9 billion budget. Here's how you could be impacted. - CBS Miami — cbsnews.com
Miami-Dade County passes 2026 budget - Axios Miami — axios.com
Miami-Dade Mayor Levine Cava seeks to close $402 million revenue gap with her proposed budget | WLRN — wlrn.org
What Miami-Dade residents need to know as county faces $402 million deficit - CBS Miami — cbsnews.com
Miami-Dade School Board member Luisa Santos talks closures on 'This Week in South Florida' — YouTube · WPLG Local 10
Charter Revision Commission Meeting | May 18, 2026 — YouTube · Town of Miami Lakes
04.15.2026 - Infrastructure, Innovation, and Technology Committee Meeting — YouTube · Miami-Dade BCC
City Council Meeting April 14, 2026 — YouTube · City of Cocoa, Florida
03.17.2026 - Board of County Commissioners Meeting