Hello everyone. Good afternoon. Today is Wednesday, July 28th, 2026. The time is now 6:00 p.m. And we are about to start a proposed millage rate of um this school year meeting. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
>> Councilwoman Corina Sosa >> Present. >> Councilwoman Maureen Porras >> Here. >> Councilman Rafael Piñeiro >> Present. >> Vice Mayor Gina Cabral >> Present. >> Mayor Christi Fraga >> Present. >> Mayor have quorum. >> Thank you. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Piñeiro. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay, I don't believe there's any changes to the agenda order of business.
So, we'll go ahead and move into public comments. We will now open the public comments portion of this meeting. Anyone would like to speak on anything germane to this council or on this agenda, please approach the podium. I will start with those who have pre-filled um a registration, and then I will go
ahead and open it to anyone who would like to speak for their reasonable opportunity. We ask that you please, in compliance with the city code, keep a respectful manner in your comments um and address the entire body. We'll go ahead and start with Mr. Jose Dones.
Name and address for the record, please. >> Good afternoon, Madam Mayor and council members. For the record, my name is Jose Dones, d o n e s. My address is 3861 Alcantera Avenue.
Uh you all look like Pavarotti, Carrera, and Placido Domingo on this stage. >> Mhm. >> Look nice. >> Mhm. Keep singing nice together. Very important. After January 1st, you all have a very
important matters related to the funding of projected of city government property tax cut. That will be in the ballot next November. And that's music to my ears.
But it will be approved. So, when you wake up on January 1st, 2027, you have less money. Probably. But I doubt I doubt. You need to check again
the property tax millage and make the appropriate adjustment. I'm not talking about don't say. I'm not talking about don't say, but serious adjustment will
have to be made. And you all need to make consensus. Consensus. Work together. That's very important. That's what I said, Pavarotti, Carrera,
and Placido Domingo. When they found that they could sing better together, they looked better. You will have less revenue. You have to cut either service or raise taxes. Either one or both.
As a matter of fact, I'm going to take the opportunity the opportunity right now. I propose to make establish a city sales tax. Thank you. The city will have to tighten
the belt. City employees, all the city departments. This population is growing up. We'll have more people. So, we need more services. We need better roads,
better street lining, public safety, parks, recreation, and that's money. There's no free lunch. I've been here a few years. I've been looking for free lunch. I haven't found
free lunch yet. So, I ask you to leave the egos out, talk to each other, listen to each other, make a consensus,
and make the best decision. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Dunn. Would anyone like to speak in public comments at this time? As Mr. Dunn is the only one that has registered to speak for this item. You can take a seat. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Being no more public comments at this time,
we will now close the public hearing portion of this meeting. Madam Clerk, I'd like to verify if no one else has chosen to speak. And we'll move into our discussion items. Discussion item 5A, resolution of the mayor and the city council of the City of Doral, Florida, establishing the proposed operating millage rate for fiscal year 2026-2027, the current year rollback rate, and the
date, time, and place of the first and second public budget hearings as required by law. Accepting a proposed debt service millage rate for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the general obligation bonds, parks and recreation project series 2019 and 2021, directing the city clerk and city manager to file said resolution with property appraiser of Miami-Dade County pursuant to the
requirements of Florida statutes and the rules and regulations of the Department of Revenue in the State of Florida, and providing for an effective date. >> All right, thank you very much, Madam City Manager. The floor is yours. >> Yes, good evening, Mayor and council members. On July 1st, 2026, Miami-Dade
County Property Appraiser, Tomas Regalado, certified the City of Doral's preliminary taxable value. Pursuant to section 200.065 of the Florida Statutes, the city must, within 35 days of that certification,
advise the property appraiser of its proposed millage rates, the current year rollback rate, the date, time, and place of the public hearings at which the tentative millage rates and tentative budget will be considered. At tonight's meeting, the city administration is
recommending a proposed operating millage rate of 1.5994 mills, which is equal to the current year rollback rate, together with a proposed debt service millage rate of 0.3600
mills. These rates are proposed for use in the truth in millage or TRIM notice process. Tonight's City Council vote does not constitute final adoption of the city's millage rates. Final adoption will occur
at the second and final budget public hearing scheduled for September 22nd, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The administration arrived at this millage rate recommendation after months of careful analysis and collaboration
among city departments. During this process, city staff evaluated projected revenues, operational needs, capital priorities, and the city's short- and long-term financial obligations. The recommended millage rates reflect
the administration's continued commitment to responsible stewardship. Throughout this budget development process, city staff have focused not only on identifying and implementing operational efficiencies, but also on developing alternative sources of
recurring revenue to reduce the city's reliance on ad valorem tax revenues. These initiatives have already begun to strengthen the city's financial position. As a result, the proposed millage rates will allow the city to minimize the
property tax burden on our residents and businesses while maintaining the lowest operating millage rate among Miami-Dade County municipalities. At the same time, the proposed rates will enable the city to continue prioritizing public safety, maintaining
essential services, advancing its most important priorities, and protecting the quality of life and level of service that our community has come to expect. It is a recommendation that reflects a balanced and responsible approach and that protects Doral's taxpayers while
preserving the city's long-term financial strength and its ability to continue to provide strong public safety and high-quality municipal services. At this time, I will turn the presentation over to Finance Director
Solangel Perez, who will present the proposed millage rates for the City Council's consideration. >> Thank you, Madam Manager. >> Through the mayor. >> Yes. >> Uh I just want to make a quick comment before we hear the presentation. Uh I want to thank the administration.
And I want to hear the presentation, but before we do that, I would like to uh make a motion to approve based on the recommendations. >> Thank you, Councilman. Is there a second? >> Yes, second. >> Councilwoman Noso. Okay, go ahead, uh
Finance Director Solange. Thank you. >> Good evening, Mayor, city council members, Madam City Manager, City Attorney, Madam City Clerk. Solangel Perez, Finance Director. We have prepared a presentation for Council on the City of Doral's 2026 tax roll.
As stated by the City Manager, the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser certified City of Doral's taxable value for the current fiscal year 2026 at approximately 22.6 billion. An increase of 780 million or 4% over the
prior year 2025. Here in this slide we show the historical millage rates adopted by the city for the last 14 years. This proposed budget for 2026-2027 was prepared with a millage rate of
1.5994, which is the proposed rolled-back rate. For the current fiscal year 2025-2026, Doral is the lowest operating millage rate in Miami-Dade County with 1.6912
mills. Using the 2026 tax roll, in this example we illustrate that the current fiscal year 2025-2026 millage rate of 1.6912 would generate 36.4
million in ad valorem tax revenues. That would represent an increase of approximately 4% over the current fiscal year 2026 revenues. Using the average Doral homestead
residential value of 356,893 and a millage rate of 1.6912, the average Doral homeowner would pay $603 in property taxes to the city. This millage would be 5.74%
higher than the rolled-back rate. The current proposed rollback rate millage of 1.5994 would generate 34.4 million in ad valorem tax revenues, which represents a decrease in revenues of approximately
1.9 million compared to the revenues of levying a millage rate of 1.6912. Using the same average Terrell homestead residential value of 356,893 and a millage rate of 1.5994,
the average Terrell homeowner would pay $570 in property taxes to the city. That represents a decrease of $32.77 when compared to the current millage rate of 1.6912.
It is important to note that the rollback rate is the rate that generates the same amount of ad valorem tax revenues as what was generated the year before. In addition to the proposed millage rate, the city also has to levy a debt
service millage to pay for the debt service of the two general obligation bonds series 2019 and 2021. To cover the annual debt service of 7.6 million, the city must levy a debt
service millage of 0.3600. Using the average Terrell homestead residential value of 356,893, a debt service millage rate of 0.3600, the average Terrell homeowner would pay approximately $128
to the city. A decrease of $43 in property taxes when compared to the current fiscal year 2026 debt service military of 4810. The recommended operating and debt service military would result in the
average Durham homeowner experiencing a total reduction of $75 in property taxes when compared to the current fiscal year 2026. Thank you and please advise of any questions at this time.
>> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much, Madam City Manager. >> Manager Mayor, that is our presentation. If you have any questions regarding the rates.
Like I said, this is not going to be we are setting the ceiling today. We are starting the process that we have carried out since the city's been a city and that will be this will be decided. We will be doing two additional
budget meetings and a budget workshop, which is a very important part of this. And the budget workshops are scheduled for September 8th and September 22nd, like I said in my presentation. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Do we have any questions? We have a motion by Councilman Bynum and a second by
Councilwoman Reynoso. Do we have any comments, questions? >> I have a quick question. >> Yes, Councilwoman Porras. >> This is a question that I I got asked if I don't know if I can answer or the city manager can answer. So adopting the rollback rate as
mentioned is going to generate the same revenue as the previous year, correct? >> That is correct. >> So where does the $2 million figure come from? The >> It comes if the rate would have stayed flat because it would come from the assessed values.
The rate the height and the rest and assessed values. >> Okay, so it would have been an additional 2 million if we would have kept the same rate. That's Okay, so we're so we're essentially getting the same revenue as last year. We're not I mean and and again, correct me if I'm
wrong, but we're not losing I mean, we're losing out on 2 million, but it wasn't 2 million that was already uh something that we had because I've heard it be mentioned as the the city is cutting 2 million dollars from the budget, but it's
actually we're losing out on 2 million by not keeping the same military. >> Well, that doesn't necessarily translate into what you just said. Remember that ad valorem is only a portion of our revenue. >> Right. >> So, we our our revenue our ad valorem
revenue is going down by $2 million. It doesn't mean that our other revenues are going down by that amount. So, there could be compensation on that and you will be able to see that once the budget is turned over to your offices at the beginning of August. Or Monday.
>> Yeah, no, I just wanted to clarify that because someone did ask and again, I just wanted to make sure that we're still getting essentially we're operating within the same revenue that we received the past year moving on to this year. >> For ad valorem, yes.
>> Yes, for ad valorem, yes. Um you know, and I'll just mention obviously I'm happy to see that the rollback rate is the rate that's proposed. Albeit, I think it's the highest rate that we can adopt with a simple majority. But and I mentioned this to your office,
I would like to see lower rates so that we can compare. Obviously, I would have liked to have seen them before this meeting. I know traditionally we haven't submitted military rates lower than the rollback rate, but we have compared and we've had
something to compare with whatever was recommended. So, like we we always had the rollback rate, which hasn't been adopted, right? To my understanding, in a couple years. And so, we always had to compare whatever was recommended with a lower rate, which
was the rollback rate. So, for me personally, I I would like to see, and I know this is only the first hearing, I would like to see other alternatives that are lower than the rollback rate. So, if the council is open to having the city manager's office
bring forward one, two, as many, you know, alternatives as feasible for us to evaluate before the next opportunity for us to make a decision. I don't know if that's something that I should make a motion on, or if it's
something that, you know, the council, again, is in agreement for the city manager to bring back to us. >> A motion's on the table already, so we need to entertain the motion that we currently have. Um if you're done with your comments, I think we can hear from the rest of the council, and if there's
consensus, then then the then the administration can proceed. If there's not, then uh then we'll just continue with the the motion that is currently on the table, and what we're here to do today, which is set a ceiling. Um I do have some comments on that once everyone has spoken. So, uh does that conclude your comments?
>> So, yes. I I'm going to support the rollback rate, because obviously it's the the lowest rollback rate that's on the table for us right now. Again, I wish there were other alternatives lower than the rollback rate, but I would like to ask now, and also
after we take a vote, for the council to consider having the city manager's office provide us with lower rates than the rollback rate, because right now what's on the table is the highest, to my understanding,
that can be passed with three votes. So, again, all supported, but I would like to hear from my colleagues to see if they're also on board with with getting something from the city manager's office with lower rates. That's it. >> You find me?
>> Yes, Vice Mayor Bracy Knight. >> I will definitely support your advice. I really think that there should be room to show different scenarios from the city manager's office to give different alternative for us to
evaluate and make the right decision for our residents and for us too, because we are residents here as well. So, we pay taxes like everybody else. One thing is that I would like the the city attorney if you could please explain a little bit
about Florida statute 200.71 and also a little bit about Florida statute 200.065. I think that it's important that our residents understand a little bit more about the maximum millage rate that is up to when you have when you
don't have the majority. So, the residents will be educated because I have received a overwhelm um text calls about that and they are really
eager to understand. >> The both statutes are one governs the the first one that you mentioned 71 governs the setting of the millage rate and the other the the budget. Um the final uh setting of the millage rate uh the way that the law is today and that's not
what you're doing today, you're setting the ceiling. So, at the at the end result, which will be I think September 21st. >> 22nd. >> 22nd. Uh at that date, the in order to pass the um the millage, if you want to pass it as a a rollback
rate, then it just needs a a majority. If you want to do anything higher then it may require additional votes. Currently the way that the the statute is uh set uh the millage has to be passed before the budget is set. And that's just the way that that it works. Now um
at this point in time which all you're trying to do is trying to set that ceiling because what you can't do is once you have the first formal budget hearing is you can't set anything above that ceiling. So the ceiling is set there so that that way that's the your
worst case scenario and then you work down from that. Does that answer your question? >> No, I mean it's not a question. Just to to educate the our residents. Um this is also what is right now the maximum cap if it doesn't reach the
supermajority within the vote. >> That's not >> Right now the rate that is capped in the on the state if doesn't reach the majority on the vote. >> I'm not understanding your question, ma'am. What >> I know that there's not a cap or I guess
that that will be my question then when we get together again on the next on the next meeting. >> But ask your question again. I'm I'm like what is it that you're >> I know that if it doesn't get to a a certain amount of the majority to approve the millage rate
the cap what will be? What what is it set by the by the uh >> There's no cap. >> There's no cap. >> What is the the amount I mean the the millage rate that that it's already set if it doesn't reach a supermajority that the that the state has.
>> I I don't understand what you mean. >> I will I will I will I will um explain uh my question on the next meeting so you will be able to understand. No, I will ask you the or I will get that information so I can share it with you. >> and there's [clears throat] there's no
there's no cap and there's no cap for a supermajority. I I I will get that information. >> Okay. >> And I will share it. I will get that information. I will share it. >> Any other questions? Comments? Okay, I just want to clarify a couple
things real quick. So, just to clarify the question or a question that's been asked in very simple terms. Today, can we adopt our current millage rate with a simple majority? >> You just said the question, Madam Mayor. Yes. >> So, with three votes, we can adopt today
the ceiling rate of our current millage rate. We don't have to go to the rollback rate. >> Not today. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. That was one question that I had to make sure. Um and to address some other comments. So, I think that first I want to congratulate the administration in the work that the finance department has
done, our CFO, and our city manager, and the entire staff. I know that every single department really did sharpen their pencils this year. And we talked about this during strategic planning. It's unfortunate that not every council member was able to be a part of our strategic planning this year for the entire session. But one of the things we talked about during the strategic
planning session was doing providing the maximum amount of reductions we possibly could in preparation for what may happen at the state with the conversation of reduced um property taxes, which would impact our collection and our revenues. And so, in preparation for that, by the way,
we've been preparing for this for probably 3 years now. Um one of the main reasons that uh we brought on uh our our city manager was because one of our main priorities or at least I I I can speak for myself and I know two other members of this council was to create revenue generating assets. Why? Because we need
to find new revenue to supplement the burden that we have on our taxpayers. And uh over and over again, and at least I again, I can speak for myself, sitting on this dais four times, I voted to reduce our millage rate. And so, we have actively made a conscious effort to
reduce our millage rate when possible in a responsible manner. Because as Mr. Don uh Don so very well pointed out, nothing is free. And so, living in a city like ours where the services are exceptional, our parks are exceptional, and truly something that I think our residents
value highly because of the work that our staff does, all of that requires us to have responsible governance and to have revenue stream that will cover these costs. So,
in one of the statements that was made today was that we are not losing $2 million because we never had that $2 million. Well, we are losing the $2 million because maintaining the millage rate we currently had would have allowed us to recover the property taxes based on
evaluation and everybody who runs a business or runs a household understands that every year your costs go up. And so, it is no different for the city. Our our insurance rates have gone up. Our
our employees are constantly trying to be poached or we are competing with the private sector, so we do provide cola and merit increases. Our FPL bill goes up just like the just like our residents. So, there's a lot of
things that and our residents also as very well have been accustomed to receiving great services. All of those things have a cost. Now, we've been absolutely blessed in the city of Doral with the growth, the organic growth that we've had and that the valuations have
gone up, but just this year we saw a tremendous decrease in that evaluations. Whereas the valuation, the tax valuation of our city has historically gone up between 7 and 10% this year, it only went up about 4.5%. Correct me if I'm
wrong, somebody from finance. >> 3.6 >> 3.6. It went up 3.6. So, we saw a tremendous reduction in that alone, which means we're not seeing those increases as we have historically seen. Now, there's still redevelopment and things happening in the city of Doral. One of the things I want to point out
and I'm very proud of our staff for doing is while we are not receiving those 2 million that we would have received in maintaining the same millage rate, um we have been able to find ways to increase our revenue in other ways, right?
Without burdening our taxpayers. Um but we have looked at fees and things that we could evaluate and continue to um you know, to to utilize in replacing these funds. Um you know, something that
we talked about last year when it was discussed to reduce or to go to the mid to the rollback rate last year was it was the first year of Doral Central Park's full year of operations. Um so that means staffing needed to be done.
We were really going off of um projections that we knew may come from revenue streams and expenditures. We have now been able to see a full year of operations of Central Park. Um thanks to the great work of our new parks director. We've consolidated events. Um
they've really streamlined fees and processes. So there's been cost recovery. And so we have a better understanding of what it'll take to operate and run and generate revenue. Just like any well-balanced minded business owner
would do before making these types of decisions. I think it's extremely irresponsible in the same token in this year, while we are taking the recommendation of staff to go to the rollback rate, which we said we would do regardless of what happened at the state in our strategic planning session, we
would provide relief to taxpayers this year, as we did last year too, by the way, because we did lower the millage rate a percentage. We provided um seniors an automatic grant, uh those who qualified for senior homestead exemptions, and we did the Doral
hardship grant. So, taking all those things into consideration, uh we did Doral seeds, we did a lot of things we had never done before. We knew that there was going to be an opportunity to review and to study giving a high more relief to our residents this year. And so, that was
discussed at that at that uh strategic planning session. And I'm sorry that two members of the council weren't there for that discussion. So, this is something that has been considered and why the staff worked so hard to come to this proposed millage rate and the proposed
budget, which we will see August 1st, which is traditionally how this process has always worked for 20 years, 25 years at the city, 24 years at the city has been doing this. At least for the past 14 that I've been doing it, that's the way it's always done. Um we don't see
the budget until August 1st, then we have independent meetings, then we have our budget workshop, we come to terms, and we agree to disagree or we agree to agree on what the balanced budget will be. But I think today, like last year, was irresponsible to uh to go to a
certain rate without having a full understanding of the city's one of the largest city's assets being in full operation. I think today is irresponsible to go anything under the rollback rate uh because of the ballot measure that's that's going to be taking
effect potentially in November or before voters decide on Amendment 3 in November. Why? We are already analyzing the impacts that that will have to the city, which over 5 years will have about a $9 million impact to our ad valorem.
So, it is irresponsible at this time, in my opinion, and and I hope that I have uh the support of our of our council on this, to really even consider anything less until we know what will happen because then we will be preempted
basically to make that determination based on the numbers provided by the homesteaded exempted properties that will fall under this new law. Reflecting a significant reduction in our ad valorem. So,
the staff will be making a presentation which I asked for at the last council meeting and then deferred to the budget workshop because they were working on everything else. And so, they kindly asked, "Can we do this during the budget workshop?" So, during the budget workshop, it is my understanding, by the way, I haven't seen it either yet.
They are working on a presentation that will show us what would be the impacts should this budget measure uh should this ballot measure pass? What would be the impacts to our budget? That already is an analysis that will have to
take into consideration if that happens. So, I think this year, the responsible thing to do is take the recommendation of the rollback rate, which we had already been working on, providing relief to taxpayers, and then we will review the um
proposal of Amendment 3 and how that will impact. And then the following year, if that is something that does take into effect, we'll have to meet the requirements of that and we'll have to make those adjustments. And then we'll have to sit down and look at the 5-year
effects to the city moving forward. By then, hopefully many of the asset revenue the revenue generating assets that we have already set in motion will come online and the city won't be as impacted as maybe some others will be because we are prepared. Because we have prepared
as a city and as leaders of this community to provide tax relief in a responsible manner. So, at this time, I think that we have really taken um leadership in this uh in this role of providing relief. I
don't know of any other municipality at this time that is, you know, making the significant reduction. We are By the way, it's not just a reduction in our millage rate, there's also a reduction in our bond millage. So, um it is a double reduction. So, it's actually
lower already than than what um our our our rollback rate is if you if you take into consideration as well the bond millage. Uh it is a uh an even lower reduction. So, I'm comfortable with the recommendation. I'm comfortable with the
um motion on the table. I think that the work that we're doing here today of setting the ceiling as a responsible one, and then we can have all other discussions once we see the presentation, which I think is significant enough of what the proposed uh Amendment 3 effects will be to our
city's financial sub- sustainability, to the future, and its impact should it pass this coming year. So, um at this time, if there's no additional questions or comments, I will take uh I I will have the city clerk call the question,
um and then we will adjourn the meeting and come back in in our budget workshops to hear the analysis that staff is already preparing. >> I have some comments. >> Okay, go ahead. You know, we're going to call the question. >> Yes. I I just want to be clear, and I
and I want to clarify a lot of the things that are being said. So, the first question is, and I think we all know by now that the first millage rate hearing or meeting is to set a ceiling. Just because it's to set a ceiling doesn't mean we can't consider
alternative rates right now. Personally, I would like to have that information now to compare it. Does it mean that I'm going to vote to adopt it? Not necessarily, but I would like to see options. The second thing is, and to the attorney
under the new law what is the maximum millage rate that can be adopted by a city with only three votes? >> Currently I mean >> Not today. In general, that it is a statement, a question.
>> I'm assuming by three votes you mean by the majority. >> Yes. >> Okay, the majority the the new statute requires that if um for a simple majority it is the the rollback rate. >> Okay. >> at for the final millage.
>> So again, the statement is accurate, has been accurate. The maximum allowable millage rate that we can adopt with a simple majority because even if we let's say adopted the current millage rate today if there's only three votes
at the last hearing the only millage rate that that that can be adopted with those three votes is the rollback rate. So that statement is true. Whether it's today or later, at the end of the day if there's only three votes to support
a the the same millage rate, it's not going to pass because the law now mandates that. That's one thing. Two I was definitely part of strategic planning. I'm not sure who the other two that didn't go are. Just on the record, in fact I'm in one of the photos.
>> Proof. You only showed up for the photo. Actually. >> When I was there, there was only three of us. So I mean at some point I think some of us came in and out too. Not just me. Um let's see. The other thing, the $2 million.
I mean I personally I don't know how you can make a statement that we're losing $2 million when that was never guaranteed. I understand that you know, maybe the expectation was to hopefully keep the same millage rate, but it's not it's never guaranteed. Like
every year we have to set a different millage rate. It could be more, it could be less. I I don't know why we're relying on more revenue than the current year that we have. I think that, you know, we have to start learning on how how to live
or operate within the revenue that we receive, especially if this amendment passes. I think it's a good exercise. Um you know, I think it's also good exercise what the new the new um law is is having us do, which is I believe um
Mr. Attorney, correct me if I'm wrong that [snorts] the city is going to have to come back and show us alternatives of what a budget with 10% with a 10% reduction would look like. >> So, that particular part of the law
doesn't go into effect until January 1st, 2027. So, it would be for next year, not for this year. >> Okay. Yeah. So, you know, I I think it's a good exercise right now to start looking at all these things. Um again, I'm not saying I would have voted for a lower rate, but I'm saying I would like
to see that information before the final hearing. I would have liked to have seen it today. I would like to see it before even the first hearing. It's something that I think we should be able to consider. Um I I honestly don't know what the the real basis for not
giving us that option, alternatives to look at is, but I mean, it doesn't make sense to me. I don't think we should wait. Last year, you know, there was criticism about not preparing early enough. Now we're too proactive. I you
know, we really do Personally, I really do want to take my time and look at all the options, look at the budget, and I wanted to start early this year. There's nowhere in our policies, in our charter that says that we have to wait
until a certain date for us to I mean for my understanding that we have to wait to receive data that's already available. My understanding is the city already has a fiscal analysis of
the potential impact of if this amendment passes, but it's not being shared. Just so you guys know, other municipalities have already done this, already working on it. Personally, I would like to have that information. But I'm not here to fight
that anymore. I think I already made, you know, my opinion on that clear. We the city manager and I had a discussion on that. But again, I just want to be more transparent and truthful to the residents.
Again, I'm going to vote to support it because it's the only rate, the lowest rate that I see here, and I'm hoping that we can see other alternative rates. >> Okay, any other comments, questions? Yes, Councilman Pineda.
>> I'll allow you to make a comment. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh I just want to clarify something especially for for the residents because, you know, every time that we have a discussion about budget or property taxes, uh I know residents get confused between,
you know, when we speak about rollback, the millage rate, property taxes, and so on. So, and I have been at least part of the budget process here at the city of Doral of property taxes discussions since 2014 and for a couple
of years now as a as a council member. And what residents really need to understand is that for the first time in years, or actually, I think it's the first time in Doral history that we're lowering taxes
two consecutive years. If you go to and you can correct me, I think it's the first time in the whole history that we're doing it. Consecutive, yeah. So, we have never done it in 23 years. So, what that means is that
you should feel proud of the administration that you have right now in front of you and the one that we work with. I know something's hard for some of my colleagues to understand how budget works and and how property taxes
are how the impact is when we speak about property taxes because that's another thing that unfortunately we don't do a good job when we speak about elected officials and explain it to the residents. Everything that you hear a resident complaining about how, you know, the how
much I I pay in property taxes, we which I agree is pretty high when it comes to property taxes. Look at the number. This year was out of your property taxes, the city only received an average $600.
But you paid $7,000 in property taxes and we only received six $600. Next year we're looking at receiving what? 570 average. And probably you're going to be paying
hopefully less because in November as the mayor stated there is going to be there's going to appear on the November's ballot the proposal for property tax reform which I support by the way. And I don't mind saying it
in this council meeting, but I support a property tax reform. I stated in public. I sent a statement to the residents and I hope that it pass. But as the mayor stated we don't know
the impact, well, we kind of know what's going to be the impact, which by the way that's another reason as residents why we should feel proud of the city that we have because right now we're the city that really less
dependent property taxes county wide. Again, we're the city that and I look at Fernando's face. Am I right? Sort of. Close. >> Medley maybe. >> Oh, Medley. There you go. So,
but again, we're we're in a very good position fiscally speaking. That doesn't mean that we can always look for other ways to keep reducing taxes. But again, in 23 years is the first time
that for a second consecutive year we will be reducing taxes to our residents. That's the bottom line. That's where really what residents really need to understand that you have a great government thinking about you,
thinking about the future, and that's why I think it really makes sense to wait until what happens in November. I mean, we can play with numbers all what you want. But it will be very irresponsible right
now to make a decision that is different of the one that we're making today and next time because this is what really makes sense right now. Next year will be a different story. But we have to wait until next year. So,
that's why um I placed a motion right away because I had discussed discussed this with the with the administration and I feel comfortable in something that again, that it makes sense right now. So, uh I'm I'm changing or modi-
changing my emotion. I want to thank the administration, the staff because again for another year you guys have done a great great job. And just for the record, last year we approved I know it was three to two
reducing taxes to you. To us as residents. And I'm very confident that we will do it again. Because we're an administration and a government that makes sense. So
I I yield the floor. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. I have a comment. >> Yes, go ahead, Councilwoman. >> Madam through the chair, Madam Manager could you please explain what why did we have to go back to the roll uh roll back rate last year? That something was vote
and then we had to sit down again and we had to vote again. >> We didn't go to the roll back rate last year. >> Ma'am, we did not go to the roll back rate last year. >> Last year we didn't have the um the super majority and that's why we have to go to the 1.69
And this year I I mean I want to and I know that the Councilwoman um Porras she asked a question that what was uh by the Department of Revenue the maximum millage rate for the City of Doral through this year that can be approved with without requiring the
super majority. What is that number? >> Okay. Last year there was a completely different process in place um for figuring out the 420 um maximum millage that we had to compute.
Um we adopted to remain flat and then we came back because we had misread the form and we had to adopt a lower rate which we did. That was not the roll back rate. >> But that rate was >> um the 1.69 we have now.
>> Yes. So, my what I wanted to make clear is that in my case I did I didn't support it is because I truly believe that there's other ways that we could lower our military rate. Even though that was
lower, we can go even lower. And on this time I still stand for it. >> So, ma'am just just to clarify. So, um the rates are set at the state. They are policy
decisions. They're not administrative decisions. We come up here, we make recommendations and you vote and tell us what you want to see. So, I while I I am very comfortable with that
arrangement. I think it's a wonderful thing and and this is what we do every time. I take the recommendations that I make and my staff and I take the recommendations that we make very seriously. I have done um I think we have done an excellent job
this year at providing tax relief um as we did last year. We found um we found savings. We figured out how to do it and we did again this year. That is what we set out to do. If the council um is comfortable with our
recommendation, then I'm happy to provide it. If I thought that there was a better recommendation at in place that could be made to go lower, I would have made that recommendation. We are not making that recommendation. We feel that the rollback rate is the recommendation
that is correct for the city without putting the city at risk, without putting without doing anything that will jeopardize its future. And that's what I stand by. But again, it isn't my decision. It's yours.
>> Thank you, Madam Manager. [clears throat] Okay, so we're going to go ahead and call the question right after. I just want to make one one statement also is that, you know, there's been an incredibly amount of misleading comments that have been made too and happens quite often. So, here's again, the city
followed the process that's followed for 25 for 24 years on how we move forward with setting the ceiling, providing a millage rate that is workable for staff to provide a balanced budget. We all get to see the budget with plenty of time. We get to have
independent meetings. We get to have workshops. It starts with our strategic planning session. So, this is a process that's been taking place for some time now. Information is available to all of us not just online as it is to the public, but through the administration
providing any information that is readily available. Staff does not work for one individual council member. Staff works for the body. So, they provide information that is necessary for us to do our jobs, but we also have staff that does work for us directly. So,
Councilwoman, if you felt that you needed additional millage rates, it's very simple to take a millage rate that you feel you would be comfortable with, plug it into a formula on Excel, take the valuation that was provided to us by the property
appraiser's office, which is I believe your office has. You take it in there and you put in the calculation, you take the revenue, you take the evaluation times the number times the millage rate at 1,000 1,000 of the assessed value and it gives
you pops out a formulation of what your ad valorem revenue for the city would be. To balance a budget, in case you don't know, is you take the revenue of the city, right? Which is provided of that of that ad valorem and then you take the expenditures and then if you have suggested expenditures you would
like to cut so that we could come and get to a balanced budget with your proposed millage rate, you're welcome to do that. Um I believe it's a pretty simple formula that can be done through Excel if your staff um would like to prepare that for you. Here's the thing.
Nobody proposed going to the rollback rate in 2023-2024 when you had the majority. You didn't propose it. Neither did Vice Mayor Cabral. How convenient that we are proposing it. Here's the difference. I wouldn't have
proposed it in a time when I'm in election because I don't play politics with the city's financial stability. >> finished having COVID. >> Excuse me, I have the floor. >> Yeah, we just finished having COVID at that time. >> sorry. I don't have the floor. >> And we gave $1.5 million. We gave
>> floor. >> to our residents and our residents and business at that time. >> You're out of order, Vice Mayor. So, please control yourself. Very coincidentally, there was a no proposal to go to a lower
millage rate in 2023-2024. I won't play politics with the city's financial stability. I won't play politics with the services we provide our residents. We are here to do the responsible thing, not something that you believe is popular, will gain you votes, or will give you talking points
for your campaign. So, I'm very sorry, but I think that we've all been here to do We are here to do the right thing, the responsible thing, but it's very convenient that this is a proposal last year and this year when you don't
control the majority. So, with that, Madam Clerk, please go ahead and call the roll. >> comments. >> Please go ahead and call the roll. >> Motion to approve the proposed operating millage rate for fiscal year 2026-2027, the current year rollback rate, and the two budget hearing dates made by Councilwoman Pineda, seconded by Councilwoman Reynoso. Councilwoman Pineda? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Reynoso?
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Porras? >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Cabral? >> No. >> Mayor Francis? >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Okay, motion passes. Need need to adjourn. Okay, so you're trying to silence me Councilwoman Pineda. this happened last year. You make comments, but you're afraid of a response. Just say it. I mean you make
very accusatory comments and then you don't want anyone to respond. I'm happy to respond to your comments. Hopefully during the budget hearing I won't be limited in silence like I was last year. Hopefully we'll have a real honest discussion, but don't be afraid of a
back and forth. No, no, but this is not a time for a debate. Answer your questions and your recommendation is that you can hopefully we can have a real discussion during the
hearing. Hopefully you won't silence me. I understand your frustrations, but this is silence people because you don't want to hear a response. That's okay. You're clearly speaking right now. You're clearly speaking right now, but if you allow me I can respond to you. Will you allow me to respond to you? Everybody has their two minutes to
speak. We've already made it. Two minutes and you're saying that two rounds of five minutes to speak. Okay, so you are silencing me. Because that's all you can do. When you come prepared to the budget workshop and so you control what gets said and you like to have the last word, make
accusations, but you don't like the responses. I get it. I get it. The only one that's made accusations up here is you with what you're saying about the administration. So I'm never afraid of a response. Happy to do it anytime, but we've made a motion.
It's passed at this time. Anything else would be out of order. My recommendation would be to follow Robert's Rules of Order. We have a motion to adjourn. We have a second. All in favor say I. I. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you very much and we'll see you back for our August Council meeting and budget
workshop. Thank you very much. >> Mhm.