MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade commissioners approved a proposal from the city of Miami Beach Wednesday to fund mandatory initiatives addressing homelessness.
“I think it’s important that every part of the county is contributing to solving the needs of the unhoused,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner.
The plan, first approved by Miami Beach city leaders during a special meeting last week, is part of a cost-sharing approach requested by the county. Miami-Dade officials had initially sought at least $5 million annually from the city.
A previous ballot referendum proposing a 1% food and beverage tax to fund homeless services was rescinded as residents were already voting.
“It doesn’t use the same funding source as we were thinking, but it used a different funding source,” said Commissioner Eileen Higgins.
Instead, the city plans to use money from its redevelopment agency, an idea proposed by Commissioner Joe Magazine, which allocates tourist tax dollars from a yet-to-be-built convention center hotel. The funds will also help establish a mental health clinic.
“Once the convention center hotel is built, we’ll take 4% of the bed tax. But up to $5 million, and it’ll be a 15-year agreement. So basically, we’re contributing $5 million of our funding or convention center funding,” Meiner explained.
The measure passed unanimously at the county commission meeting Tuesday morning.
“I think essentially they stepped forward recognizing they need to make an additional contribution, and that is exactly what they’ve proposed,” Meiner added.