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Bal Harbour, Miami Beach voters will decide on sales tax for homeless services

A man sleeps on a sidewalk
Lynne Sladky
/
AP
A person sleeps on the sidewalk on the first day of a statute that took effect, making it illegal in Florida to sleep on sidewalks, in parks, on beaches or in other public spaces — one of the country's strictest anti-homelessness laws, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

All but three of Miami-Dade’s 34 municipalities levy a 1% sales tax on food and beverages for the county’s homelessness and domestic abuse support services. But that could change.

This 1% tax gets collected by businesses licensed to sell on-premise alcoholic beverages. But only those that annually make more than $400,000 in revenue. Hotels and motels are exempt. 
 
The same kind of tax is on the ballot next month for voters in Bal Harbour and Miami Beach.
 
If approved in both, the town of Surfside will be the only municipality that does not participate. 
 
Miami-Dade County says 85% of the tax revenue goes toward housing and providing care for homeless residents. Fifteen percent is for domestic violence centers. 
 
Supporters say Miami Beach and Bal Harbour would help generate money for these services. While opponents say higher costs for customers will hurt local businesses. 

READ MORE: If the Watson Island deals pass, what will Miami do with the money?

This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.

Verónica Zaragovia was born in Cali, Colombia, and grew up in South Florida. She’s been a lifelong WLRN listener and is proud to cover health care, as well as Surfside and Miami Beach politics for the station. Contact Verónica at vzaragovia@wlrnnews.org
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