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Miami Gardens is in really good shape. Financially, the City continues to grow, and businesses continue to show interest in relocating here, which will make more jobs available to our residents.
We’re opening up new UPS and DHL Centers in Miami Gardens. We’re making progress on the 35 acres site where we want to put a few hotels to enhance the NW 27th Avenue corridor further. And, Calder Race Course is preparing to do some renovations.
In the last quarter, we passed the FY2021-2022 budget, and for the ninth year in a row, we did not have to raise the millage rate, which keeps our tax rate down to around 6.9%.
We passed the first phase of our annexation of the eastern side of Miami Gardens. If that passes entirely, we’ll get some of the industrial areas on the northeast side, further expanding our tax base.
We’re trying to attract more global events to Miami Gardens, so this part of Dade-County shines. We are preparing for Jazz in the Gardens in March 2022; Formula One in May, and we’re in the running for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—the sky’s the limit for our City.
I’m looking forward to 2022. Everybody is excited to get out and about again, and the COVID-19 numbers in Miami Gardens are going down. Still, we are asking people to get their vaccinations, continue wearing their masks, and wash and sanitize their hands. We’ve got to continue to be safe around this virus.
Next year, the Orange Bowl will be here, and the Miami and U.S. Tennis Opens will be back.
These events provide economic opportunities so we can offer the best services for our residents.
The previous administration did a great job, and they left us in good shape. The current administration is hard-working as well. I think we have one of the best Councils in the whole of Miami-Dade County. Our staff is great, and I love being their Mayor, working with them hand in hand. Our Charter Officers do a tremendous job.
This Council is a younger group, and we work well together. I think all of us care about the City, and we care about each other. We are probably in a better position right now than any other City in Miami-Dade County, if not the state of Florida. We just need to continue down that path, making sure that we stay fiscally sound and doing the things required of us to ensure that Miami Gardens remains a great City to live, work, and play.
We haven’t had the opportunity to come together as a family and really enjoy each other for the past two years. So, my message to our residents for the holidays is to enjoy the people that you love. Many of us have lost loved ones during the pandemic, so take the time to show love to the people you care about. Always remember to stay safe because the pandemic is still around, and the City of Miami Gardens really cares about you.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a great Kwanzaa, Happy New Year, and for those of other faiths, Happy Holidays to all!
