Miami Beach commissioners have made a decision to pay $10 million to Miami-Dade County for the county’s homeless trust fund. The agreement was reached during a two-hour meeting at Miami Beach City Hall, where commissioners came up with a plan to provide the funds despite their initial opposition. This decision comes after Miami Beach officials withdrew a proposal from the November general election ballot that would have implemented a 1% food and beverage tax to support the homeless and victims of domestic violence. Following this withdrawal, Miami-Dade County commissioners urged Miami Beach officials to find a way to come up with the millions of dollars that would have been generated by the tax.
Throughout the meeting, Miami Beach commissioners expressed frustration, feeling like they were being pressured by the county to provide the funds. Despite their concerns, the Miami Beach officials ultimately voted in favor of transferring the money to the county. They clarified that the funds will be sourced from a tourist tax, rather than impacting small businesses or residents. Commissioner Joe Magazine, who introduced the proposal, commended the commission for their decision, highlighting that the burden of the payment will fall on convention and convention center hotels, rather than local businesses and patrons.
The next step for this proposal is to be approved by Miami-Dade Commissioners, with the vote scheduled for the following week. This decision marks a collaborative effort between Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County to address the issue of homelessness and support those in need within the community. Stay updated with the latest news by subscribing to our newsletter for regular updates delivered straight to your inbox.
