county budget

Dozens of nonprofit groups gathered at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center with a stern message for Miami-Dade Commissioners: Funding cuts will hurt the most vulnerable and cost taxpayers more money in the future.

Community advocates packed Miami-Dade's government center on Thursday to voice their concerns about the county’s proposed $13.1 billion budget and its impact on thousands of its most vulnerable residents.

The mayor on Tuesday unveiled her proposed budget for the new fiscal year and is recommending eliminating about 350 jobs, including vacancies, to help close a $400 million deficit.

With a projected $387 million deficit looming over next year’s $3.6 billion general fund, Miami-Dade County faces its most severe budget shortfall since the 2008 financial crisis,

Palm Beach commissioners were told the county earned a record $172 million from its nearly $5 billion-dollar portfolio in fiscal year 2023. The investment portfolio includes the controversial purchase of $700 million of Israel Bonds to support the war effort in Gaza.

The Miami-Dade County mayor tells WLRN what she sees as the budget’s more urgent priorities and what lies ahead.