Government

Government Members Only

City Defers Meridian Place Transfer After Clash Over Who Affordable Housing Serves

Commissioners deferred the 530 Meridian Avenue transfer to Oct. 14 after a 53-minute argument over housing-first placements, missing wraparound services, and whether the city still holds any leverage over the building's future.

Journal Staff Jul 24, 2026

Government

Miami Beach Names Debbie Tackett as New Planning Director

Debbie Tackett, a 20-year veteran of Miami Beach city government and former chief historic preservation officer, has been unanimously confirmed as the city's new planning director.

Journal Staff Jul 24, 2026

Government Members Only

City Will Raise Water and Sewer Rates After Rejecting Two Bond Plans

On the last day it could have placed a question on the November 3 ballot, the Commission rejected both general obligation bond options and voted 5-2 to fund roughly $450 million of water, sewer and stormwater work through utility rates alone — a program about half the size of the one staff brought in. How much bills will actually rise won't be known until September.

Journal Staff Jul 24, 2026

Government Members Only

What's on the Agenda: Miami Beach City Commission, July 22 — Flood Bonds and Big Zoning Votes Before the Recess

The last Commission meeting before the August recess is stacked: resolutions calling a November 3 special election on hundreds of millions in flood-infrastructure bonds, a voter question on a decades-long city-land lease, first readings on two major residential upzonings for Lincoln Road West and Washington Avenue, a final vote on the 1250 West Avenue tower, and a possible legal challenge to the state's Live Local Act.

Journal Staff Jul 21, 2026

Government

Miami Beach City Meetings Scheduled for Week of July 27–31

A reference of the week's public city meetings

Journal Staff Jul 22, 2026

Government

Commissioner Fernandez Pushes "Truth in Transparency" Resolution on City Pay Portal and Personnel Costs

A resolution headed to Miami Beach commissioners would overhaul the city's employee salary portal, cap long-term personnel cost growth, and launch a new compensation study — all under the banner of fiscal accountability.

Journal Staff Jul 16, 2026

Government Members Only

Commission Set to Vote on Redrawn Boucher Brothers Deal for One Ocean Drive

Miami Beach commissioners will consider an amended concession agreement with Boucher Brothers Pier Park that raises the required investment to $35 million, extends the potential deal term to 18 years, and closes out years of litigation over the prime South Beach property.

Journal Staff Jul 16, 2026

Government Members Only

Miami Beach Puts GMCVB Contract Overhaul on Hold, Extends Existing Deal Through December

Miami Beach's finance committee deferred final negotiations on a new tourism marketing contract with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, approving a month-to-month extension of the current deal through December 31, 2026, while flagging structural concerns about the proposed incentive model.

Journal Staff Jul 16, 2026

Government Members Only

City's Flood Code Is Blocking EV Chargers Across Miami Beach — Not Just Normandy Isle

A Normandy Isle EV charging item closed without a vote, but the discussion exposed a citywide problem: the flood elevation code is stalling fast chargers everywhere except one lot that squeaked by on a technicality.

Journal Staff Jul 16, 2026

Government Members Only

Miami Beach Panel Backs Committee Cuts — Then Floats Scrapping Itself Too

The Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee unanimously endorsed a sweeping overhaul of Miami Beach's advisory board system — sunsetting some panels, sparing others the administration wanted gone, and leaving one committee's fate up in the air. Then a committee member turned the question on the body itself.

Journal Staff Jul 16, 2026

Government Members Only

5th Street Pedestrian Bridge Hits Another Wall as Committee Defers Decision to September

Miami Beach's troubled 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge remains stalled by an undocumented FPL power line, with a city committee deferring action until September while the developer awaits findings from an independent consultant.

Journal Staff Jul 16, 2026

Government

Miami Beach City Meetings Scheduled for Week of July 20–24

A reference of the week's public city meetings

Journal Staff Jul 15, 2026