Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava sent formal written notice Thursday to Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz that the county’s budget for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is the largest in the agency’s history. Commission Chair Anthony Rodriguez signed the notice with her.
The budget totals $1.2 billion. That is about $186.3 million more than the $1 billion Cordero-Stutz requested. Commissioners approved the spending plan on Sept. 18, and it includes about $11.37 million for general law enforcement personnel services and adjustments tied to the Florida Retirement System, according to the notice.
Cordero-Stutz can appeal budget disputes to the Florida Cabinet, which includes Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. In a Sept. 22 statement, Cordero-Stutz said voters should not have to choose between lower property taxes and public safety.
The dispute comes ahead of the Nov. 3 vote on Amendment 3, which would provide property tax relief. Local governments that pay for police and fire rescue could face budget shortfalls if it passes. Levine Cava opposes the amendment. In an Oct. 5 editorial, she warned that renters and small businesses could end up paying more if cities and counties raise fees to replace lost revenue.
