The budget surplus was a point of discussion, opening up possibilities for various enhancements and initiatives. However, the CFO outlined that after considering funding for small business grants, an additional State lobbyist, and other city positions, the surplus would be reduced to $8.9 million. This prompted a strategic conversation on how to allocate the remaining surplus while also preparing for collective bargaining agreements and capital funding needs.

Among the enhancements considered was the funding for a compacted sand path, a preventative maintenance program for aquatic facilities, and the transfer of interest income for the budget. The committee recommended funding for approximately $4.25 million of over $30 million in enhancement requests, underlining the need for prudent financial management.

The committee also debated the creation of area manager positions to oversee North Beach, South Beach, and Mid Beach. The debate included considerations on whether these area managers should be residents of the city and the extent of their community engagement.

Another major discussion point was the potential requirement for certain city positions to be filled by Miami Beach residents and the improvement of virtual meeting facilities. Additionally, the necessity of monthly meetings with city representatives for residents was brought up.

Public safety was also a priority, as the committee debated adding two detention officers to the police force, allowing officers to focus more on community safety. Moreover, the committee considered the economic impact of the MXE district and a mini version of the Paycheck Protection Program for non-salaried employees during spring break.

Cultural initiatives sparked a lengthy debate. The committee discussed a management agreement with Miami New Drama, with the organization requesting an increase in funding from $420,000 to $620,000 to cover rising labor costs and operations. The impact of the governor’s veto on arts funding was also addressed, with a proposal to allocate resort tax funds to support affected arts organizations. However, concerns were raised about the city’s budget constraints and the need to prioritize essential services.

The committee proposed postponing the implementation of a Fitness Festival until 2026 to allow for better planning and to potentially rebrand the city. Meanwhile, a $1.4 million allocation for events in 2026 was acknowledged as necessary for community engagement and tourism.

Furthermore, the committee addressed the structural imbalance in the sanitation fund, considering enhancements like a residential area sidewalk pressure washing program. The potential rate increases for waste haulers and the program’s impact on the city’s cleanliness were evaluated.

Infrastructure discussions included updates to the water and sewer Master Plan, the need for a cyber security analyst, and capital budget adjustments for neighborhood improvement projects. The committee underscored the necessity of addressing the city’s capital needs, considering finite resources.

Lastly, the committee reviewed potential funding gaps for projects, primarily related to water and sewer renovations and stormwater needs. The CFO suggested that Enterprise funds and geobond dollars could address these gaps. Additionally, the committee considered the public benefits of development projects contributing to unfunded neighborhood improvement projects.