Miami-Dade, giving season is upon us – and I’m filled with gratitude to be Mayor of this incredible community.
This year, I’m thankful to have passed a County budget that protects core government services our residents rely on, invests in community priorities, and doubles down on efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
I’m grateful for every one of our residents, which is why we are laser focused on keeping this community affordable for everyone. We continue to increase the housing supply every day, and we just welcomed a new transit corridor with the launch of Metro Express in South Dade.
As we look ahead together, I'm thankful for the privilege of leading Miami-Dade County – the best place to live, work and play in the country – into a safer and more prosperous future.
Next year, our nation will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and Miami-Dade is proud to join communities across the country in celebrating this milestone. I established the Miami-Dade 250: We Are America Celebration Advisory Committee to plan events, activities, and legacy projects to celebrate in Miami style! Stay tuned.
We just opened the new Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center, a symbol of our commitment to justice that is modern, accessible, and built for the future. This new courthouse, named after a civil rights trailblazer and filled with beautiful installations by local artists, is a testament to Miami-Dade's history and a welcome addition to our skyline.
Metro Express is here! The new bus rapid transit (BRT) system connects Florida City to the Dadeland South Metrorail station in less time than it takes to drive. This modern, train-like system was built with you in mind – easy to pay, board, and ride, with comfortable stations and dedicated lanes. Hop onboard and try it out!
I joined Univision for our annual Hispanic Heritage Month townhall special on Al Punto, where we discussed issues that matter to you. From immigration to public safety, check out the lively conversation.
Investing Your Tax dollars wisely
In September, the Board of County Commissioners passed our fiscally responsible, accountable County budget for the next fiscal year. It was a challenging budget year for us, due to unprecedented fiscal pressures and unfunded state mandates. But we tackled this challenge through hard work with our Board, constitutional offices and community – hosting more than 20 town hall conversations (more than ever before!). We protected critical services, like public safety, transit, and trash pick-up, while maintaining our historically low tax rate.
We've begun construction on and opened the doors of several new projects that increase our county’s affordable housing supply. Some of the latest developments advancing affordability include:
Edison Towers: We marked a milestone in Liberty City with the reopening of Edison Towers — 115 beautifully renovated apartments for seniors and low-income residents.
Villages of Richmond Heights: The Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT), with county surtax funds, partnered with developers to finance and open the Villages of Richmond Heights, a new affordable development in a historic Black neighborhood.
Stadium Village: The former Stadium Hotel, near Hard Rock Stadium, has been converted into apartments by the Healthy Homes Foundation and is now Stadium Village!
Royal Pointe Apartments: Situated on the property of the Martin Memorial AME Church, or the Purple Church, in South Dade, Royal Pointe Apartments opened its doors thanks to a unique partnership between private, public, and faith-based leaders.
Southside Preparatory Academy: This first-of-its-kind project in Miami-Dade brings a new school and more affordable housing under one roof, thanks to our innovative partnership with the school board.
Bold Investments in Infrastructure
Miami-Dade is growing fast and we are working hard to make sure our infrastructure is keeping up – from our ports to our county facilities.
Stretching from SW 19th Avenue to the Dadeland South Metrorail Station, come run, walk, bike, or simply enjoy the newest section of our uniquely Miami linear park.
We announced the winners of the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA) public innovation challenge with our Department of Solid Waste Management, which called on companies to improve recycling and reduce our waste. Winners Clean Earth Innovations, Fertile Earth Worm Farm, and Scrapp are removing contaminants, giving food a second life, and moving us closer to a zero-waste future.
Named North America’s most-improved mega airport by J.D. Power, MIA was recently awarded a combined $94 million in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to accelerate critical improvements as part of our $9 billion Future-Ready Modernization in Action plan.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean. As the region seeks to rebuild, our county has compiled resources where you can donate your time or treasure at miamidade.gov/cares.
Our Community Services Department hosted our county’s first Domestic Violence Awareness Summit, where I had a heart-to-heart conversation with radio icon Supa Cindy. Miami-Dade is building a community where help is always available and every survivor knows they are not alone.
Counting Down to FIFA 2026
Bayfront Park was announced as the location for the FIFA Fan Festival in Miami and I was proud to join local leaders to share this big news. Programming and hours will be shared in the coming months — stay tuned!
In Case You Missed It
This year marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the incredible value and talent that people with disabilities bring to our workforce and community.
MIA is one of the nation’s busiest airports, a major economic engine for our whole region, and the FAA’s decision to reduce flight capacity directly affected Miami-Dade’s economy and prosperity.
What an incredible day at Puptoberfest 2025! Families from across #OurCounty came out this weekend to celebrate fall, enjoy local food, have fun and, most importantly, support @adoptmiamipets to give 76 pets the gift of a forever home.
What a night to close out Hispanic Heritage Month! I was proud to host an inspiring event to celebrate our Hispanic small business owners and connect them with a group of creative Latino content creators that are shaping the future of business and storytelling.
There’s no better way to start the day than with cafecito, pastelitos, and great company! I was so happy to share a special Café con Cava morning with our hardworking Miami-Dade County employees — your dedication and service make #OurCounty shine every day.
