2025-09-03 First Budget Hearing Minutes
FIRST BUDGET HEARING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 6:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Mayor Neil Cantor called the Tentative Budget Hearing to order 6:03 PM.
2. MOMENT OF SILENCE / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Jerome Charles via Zoom
Vice Mayor Neil Cantor
Councilmember George Burch
Councilmember Patrick B. Devaney
Councilmember Jesse Valinsky
Also Present:
Village Manager Esmond Scott
Village Attorney Chanae Wood
Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS 3-Minute Time Limit
Ms. Cindy Herbst addressed the Council. She stated she has been a resident since 2016 and while she
has been pleased with Village services, she expressed concerns about police coverage and code
enforcement. Ms. Herbst noted the Village has seen significant turnover of homes during the pandemic
with an increase in rental properties at high monthly rates. She questioned how the proposed millage rate
increase would be allocated to support police and code enforcement, expressing concern about having
enough "boots on the ground" to handle safety issues in impacted neighborhoods.
Councilmember Burch informed Ms. Herbst that budget information is available in the library in printed
form and online, where she could compare current and previous years' allocations.
5. RESOLUTIONS- PUBLIC HEARINGS
5.A A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES
VILLAGE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE OF
7.8000 MILLS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026, THE CALCULATED
ROLLED-BACK RATE IS 7.1791 MILLS, OR 8.65% HIGHER THAN THE
ROLLED-BACK RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026; ESTABLISHING
THE DEBT SERVICE MILLAGE RATE AT 0.1331 MILLS, REAFFIRMING
THE SECOND PUBLIC BUDGET TO SET THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE
ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M.; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF: VILLAGE MANAGER).
Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez read the millage rate resolution into the record. The resolution
established a tentative millage rate of 7.8 mills for fiscal year 2025/2026, which is 8.65% higher than the
calculated rollback rate of 7.1791 mills, and set the debt service millage rate at 0.1331 mills.
Vice Mayor Cantor opened the public hearing for comments on the tentative millage rate. With no
speakers coming forward, he closed the hearing.
Following the reading, Council discussion began. Councilmember Burch expressed concern about the
increasing expenses while the Village's population remains stable at around 11,000 residents. He
emphasized the importance of allocating funds for infrastructure projects like a community center, golf
course improvements, and septic-to-sewer conversion while financial conditions are favorable. He
cautioned that property values and income may not always continue their upward trajectory, and urged
fiscal prudence in hiring additional staff.
Councilmember Valinsky acknowledged Councilmember Burch's concerns but noted the budget reflects
necessary catch-up work on infrastructure projects that previous councils couldn't address due to COVID
and financial constraints. He pointed out that staffing had only increased by one position (a code
compliance officer) from 154 to 155 positions. He encouraged residents to review the new budget
summary book available on the Village website.
Councilmember Devaney echoed his colleagues' concerns about recurring costs growing too quickly and
emphasized the importance of long-term budget sustainability.
Mayor Charles, participating via Zoom, stated that the budget reflects aggressive infrastructure investment
while holding the millage rate steady. He noted that revenue growth is primarily from increased property
values, with enterprise services seeing rate increases. He highlighted police technology upgrades, IT
centralization, and professionalized capital planning. The Mayor also mentioned the Village has secured
approximately $28 million in grants, which typically require matching funds, necessitating some of the
budget increases.
Vice Mayor Cantor explained that a tenth of a mill reduction in the rate would save residents only $50-70
on their tax bills while costing the Village a six-figure amount in revenue. He described the budget as
"historic," addressing items that had been "swept under the rug for decades." He assured residents that
the Council has carefully reviewed the budget to ensure responsible allocation of funds.
Councilmember Burch encouraged residents to speak up if they feel taxes are too high or if they desire
additional services.
There being no further discussion, Vice Mayor Cantor asked for a motion:
Vice Mayor Neil Cantor moved to adopt the resolution establishing the tentative millage rate of 7.8 mills for fiscal year 2025/2026, with a calculated rollback rate of 7.1791 mills and a debt service millage of 0.1331 mills and Councilmember Valinsky seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 roll call vote.
Councilmember George Burch- Aye
Councilmember Patrick Devaney- Aye
Councilmember Jesse Valinky- Aye
Vice Mayor Neil Cantor- Aye
Mayor Jerome Charles- Aye
5.B A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF MIAMI SHORES
VILLAGE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE OPERATING AND
CAPITAL OUTLAY BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING
OCTOBER 1, 2025, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2026, PURSUANT TO
SECTION 200.065, FLORIDA STATUTES; AUTHORIZING
EXPENDITURES CONSISTENT THEREWITH AND AUTHORIZING
CERTAIN BUDGET AMENDMENTS WITHIN A DEPARTMENT
PROVIDED THAT THE TOTAL OF THE APPROPRIATIONS IS NOT
CHANGED; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (STAFF:
VILLAGE MANAGER).
Village Clerk Ysabely Rodriguez read the caption of the resolution into the record.
Village Manager Esmond Scott presented the fiscal year 2025/2026 proposed budget totaling
$46,930,873, which is approximately $5 million higher than the current year's budget. He explained that
about $1.3 million comes from increased ad valorem taxes, while approximately $4 million was transferred
from reserves in various funds. The budget includes $6 million for capital improvement projects.
Key budget highlights included:
● 6% increase in FPL costs
● 21% increase in health insurance (reduced from initial 25% projection)
● Stormwater fee increase of 2.75%
● Solid waste overall 20% increase in revenue
● Wastewater maintenance fee increase by 3%
● Fund balance transfers from general fund
Manager Scott emphasized the budget's focus on infrastructure investment, including seawall,
stormwater, septic-to-sewer, fleet, and IT upgrades, while maintaining the millage rate. He noted the
Village has secured approximately $28 million in grants since his arrival, which typically require matching
funds.
Following the presentation, the Council discussed two personnel-related matters requiring decisions:
● Health Insurance Coverage for Dependents:
The Council discussed a proposal to provide some coverage for general employees' family health
insurance plans. Currently, the Village pays 100% for individual employee coverage but 0% for
dependents of general employees, while police department employees receive 60% coverage for
dependents under their collective bargaining agreement. Human Resources Director Yamileth Slate-
McCloud presented three options to help close this gap. After extensive discussion about costs and
potential participation rates, the Council approved Option 2, which provides a $750 monthly employer
contribution toward family coverage, reducing employee weekly payments from $415 to $242.
● Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA):
After brief discussion, the Council approved a 3% cost of living adjustment for Village employees.
There being no further discussion, Vice Mayor Neil Cantor moved to adopt the resolution approving the
tentative operating and capital outlay budget for fiscal year 2025/2026 and Councilmember Burch
seconded the motion which carried a 5-0 roll call vote.
Councilmember George Burch- Aye
Councilmember Patrick Devaney- Aye
Councilmember Jesse Valinky- Aye
Vice Mayor Neil Cantor- Aye
Mayor Jerome Charles- Aye
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council, the hearing adjourned at 7:26 PM.
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