The most pressing topic of the meeting was the city’s approach to handling financial fraud within HOAs and condominiums. Residents voiced concerns, presenting evidence of potential malfeasance and expressing frustration over a perceived lack of action from law enforcement and the state attorney’s office. One speaker highlighted, “They say that they either go to law enforcement and they’re not getting a response,” underscoring the need for the city to take a more stance, especially given that many victims are elderly.

In response, it was revealed that earlier in the year, the city decided to stop outsourcing fraud investigations, opting instead to develop an internal team capable of addressing these crimes. An official expressed confidence in the detectives’ skills, stating, “We feel that our detectives have the skill set and the training to be able to really investigate these types of crimes.” The chief of police noted ongoing collaboration with the state attorney’s office to ensure proper case reviews.

The meeting also brought up substantial discussions on the general budget for the fiscal year 2025. The city manager presented a balanced budget with a total capital outlay of $12,191,050, maintaining a required reserve amount of 15%. The proposed millage rate remained unchanged at 1.7166 mills, translating to $1.71 per $1,000 of taxable property value. Noteworthy elements included a proposed 7.5% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees and a 3% merit increase for non-bargaining unit employees, with a total proposed headcount of 523 full-time positions.

The finance department detailed the general fund budget, anticipating total proposed revenues of approximately $87.5 million, with tax revenues, particularly from ad valorem taxes at the proposed millage rate, representing 68% of total revenues. Specific allocations were made for police funding, parks, public works, and debt service.

On the topic of employee compensation, the workshop delved into a benchmarking process, revealing that the city’s pay was around the market average, fluctuating by about plus or minus 2%. Questions arose about the survey results, especially regarding the absence of certain job positions in the benchmarking analysis. Clarifications were provided that a representative sampling approach was utilized to capture a wide range of job classifications across various departments.

The police department’s budget was a focal point, proposing a total of just over $40 million. This increase was driven by the addition of 15 new police training positions and the necessity of replacing 28 high-mileage vehicles and 13 police motorcycles, with an expected expenditure of just over $2 million. Additionally, a $2 million technology grant was discussed, aimed at modernizing police communication systems, including improvements to police radios with built-in GPS capabilities to enhance officer safety.

Training initiatives for the police department were highlighted, such as increased bicycle certification for officers to foster community policing, mass casualty training for active shooter responses, and specialized training in areas like crisis intervention and leadership. The chief emphasized maintaining high staffing levels and enhancing patrol visibility to continue the trend of crime reduction, which showed a 32% decrease in overall crime rates year-to-date.

The planning and zoning department presented its budget. Key projects included updates to the comprehensive plan and the water supply plan, the completion of phase one of the Doral Boulevard master plan, and an overhaul of the sign code. The department emphasized the importance of training opportunities for all staff, having previously only been able to train two staff members each year.

Capital projects were a part of the discussion, with updates from the Capital Improvement Division Chief on parks and recreation projects. Five projects were completed, including Doral Golf Course, Doral Cultural Arts Center, and Doral Park Trails. The progress at Doral Central Park was noted, with the first lift of asphalt placed in the west parking area and substantial completion achieved for phases two and three. The upcoming grand opening will feature amenities like an amphitheater, skate park, playgrounds, and a sand volleyball court.

The public works department reported a budget totaling around $23 million, with increases noted in multiple areas. Completed infrastructure projects included upgrades to the government center and various sidewalk and stormwater repairs. Ongoing projects include roadway improvements and the design phase for infrastructure needs.

The parks and recreation department provided updates on their mission and structure, with new positions supporting the community center and the planned aquatic facility at Doral Central Park. The budget comparison for the upcoming fiscal year emphasized the need for additional resources to ensure efficient service delivery across various divisions.