The primary focus of the meeting was the adoption of the final millage rate of 7.4 mills for the fiscal year, a resolution presented in Tab B of the agenda. Mayor Alix Desulme opened a public hearing to comply with the Truth in Millage (TRIM) guidelines. During this hearing, resident Deborah Davies raised concerns about the budget allocation for road infrastructure improvements. She cited a traffic study recommending $5.8 million for safety initiatives such as roundabouts and speed bumps. Davies questioned the high costs of the existing roundabouts and suggested exploring more cost-effective alternatives. She also inquired about the city’s plans to hire a full-time grant writer to secure additional funds for infrastructure projects and asked about provisions for replacing trees removed from Mocha Plaza.

Lucia Gonzales, representing the Friends of the North Miami Public Library and a former library director, emphasized the need for increased investment in the library. Gonzales praised the city’s support but highlighted the importance of maintaining a robust book budget and improving the library’s physical appearance. She noted that the library, which had not been renovated in nearly a decade, required updates to welcome new generations of users.

Following these public comments, the council moved to Tab C, which proposed the second reading of the ordinance to adopt the city budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Budget Manager Roy Brown provided a detailed summary of changes made since the first budget hearing. The adjustments aimed to maintain the current millage rate while addressing community needs. Adjustmentsllocations included $345,000 for hiring five additional police officers and $475,000 for the operation and maintenance of parks facilities. Brown explained that these adjustments were necessary to ensure sound financial practices and address the city’s priorities.

During the subsequent public hearing on the budget, Davies reiterated her concerns about infrastructure funding and the need for clarity on managing matching funds for anticipated grants. The council engaged in discussions about these points, particularly the importance of maintaining Mocha Plaza and ensuring appropriate tree replacements.

The discussion then shifted to the public library’s visibility and resources. Donna Hanley, a representative of the Friends of the Library, expressed surprise at the lack of awareness among residents about the library’s diverse programs. She urged the council to address the seating capacity issue and enhance outreach efforts. Claudia Peso echoed Hanley’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for increased promotion of library events on the city’s social media platforms. Peso praised the library staff for their exceptional customer service and advocated for more proactive publicity of the library’s offerings.

In response to these concerns, it was noted that the library’s budget had been increased by an additional $65,000 compared to the previous proposal, aimed at addressing furniture and carpet issues. The communication budget for the library would also see an increase of $30,000 to bolster outreach efforts, including costs associated with sending messages and boosting social media posts.

Further discussions addressed the funding for additional police officers. A council member inquired about the source of the $345,000 allocated for hiring five additional officers, which was clarified to be part of a three-year grant. The allocation of funds for senior residents in District Four also came under scrutiny. A council member highlighted the difficulties faced by elderly residents without insurance.

The conversation also touched on the funding for the food pantry, with a council member advocating for increased resources to better serve the community’s growing needs. An allocation of $80,000 had been included to address this issue within the existing budget constraints.

After thorough discussion, a motion was made to approve the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Despite concerns about the adequacy of the budget, particularly in relation to senior services, the motion passed with a unanimous vote. The council then moved on to address two additional ordinances concerning adjustments to the minimum fund allocation in the reserve fund account, both of which were approved without opposition.