Miami-Dade County is making progress on its budget for the next fiscal year, with a key agreement reached for the Sheriff’s Office but lingering disputes for Fire Rescue.
On May 1, 2025, Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz presented the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO) budget for FY 2025–2026. She returned on August 20 to address the Board of County Commissioners, stressing the urgent need to fully fund public safety.
Her persistence paid off. On Friday, the sheriff announced that her office has secured an additional $30.8 million in the amended county budget.
“I’m pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Miami-Dade County concerning the budget for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office,” Cordero-Stutz said in a statement.
“The County budget will be amended to include an additional $30.8 million required to meet the public safety needs of Miami-Dade. I reiterated multiple times throughout the process that the public safety budget I submitted was a thoughtful and thorough request based on the true needs to protect the residents of Miami-Dade. I appreciate and commend the hard work and dedication of all who helped identify the additionally required funding. My commitment to the residents of Miami-Dade is to govern with utmost transparency and accountability to make certain we secure the needed resources to protect our community. This budget agreement will allow MDSO to fulfill that commitment for this fiscal year. My focus and priority will always be the safety of all Miami-Dade residents.”
The sheriff called the agreement “a victory for every resident, family and neighborhood in our county,” adding that the additional resources will help meet the needs of a growing population.
County Commission Chairman Anthony Rodriguez echoed that sentiment, saying, “We were not going to allow anything to jeopardize the safety of our residents, our community, and our families. Something people often forget is we are elected officials, but I am also raising my family in this community.”
The broader budget process has been complicated by an initial $400 million deficit. County officials say they have offset much of the shortfall by identifying and recovering tens of millions in funds, as state law requires counties to adopt a balanced budget.
But while the sheriff’s funding dispute appears settled, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue remains in limbo. At issue is $28 million in funding for the department’s four rescue helicopters. Those costs have historically come from the county’s general fund, but the mayor is now pushing the department to cover them directly. Fire officials and union leaders warn that the move could strain operations and affect emergency response times.
“We figured it out with the sheriff, for police, and we will figure it out with fire,” Rodriguez said. “Whatever that means, and is still being worked out.”
Commissioners are expected to take a final vote on the budget next month. Before then, residents will have several opportunities to weigh in on how their tax dollars should be spent.
