The meeting detailed the resolution to adopt the non-ad valorem assessment rate, which is not directly controlled by the village but is a requirement set by Miami-Dade County. This fee, which covers recycling and solid waste services, is annually certified by the county, typically increasing due to rising costs such as gasoline and service fees. The village manager clarified that the non-ad valorem fee is distinct from property taxes and is necessary for budgeting purposes.

Several council members and audience attendees sought clarity on the actual costs and how they compare to previous years. The village manager explained that while the residents will pay a specific fee, the village covers any residual costs. This year, the residents’ fee was set at $446.82, while the village will absorb the remainder, approximately $35,000, for a total of 859 residents. This fiscal strategy was chosen to avoid passing additional costs onto the residents.

An audience member raised concerns about the budgeting process, suggesting that earlier coordination with waste management companies could have potentially aligned resident fees more closely with actual costs, thereby reducing the village’s financial burden. The village manager responded that the fees are determined through a long-standing process with the county and that the village does not have the ability to negotiate the county’s set fees directly.

The resolution was put to a vote and passed unanimously by the council members present. The council emphasized that while they aim to keep residents informed, the non-ad valorem assessments are part of a broader regulatory framework that requires municipal compliance.