Council approves tentative $238.9M budget; general fund projected at $101.9M

The North Miami mayor and council approved a tentative fiscal year 2026–27 budget of approximately $238.9 million on a 5–0 vote during the city's first public budget hearing.

CFO Angela Reyes Santana summarized the plan: the citywide total is approximately $238.9 million; the general fund is about $101.9 million; public safety accounts for roughly $40.7 million (about 40% of the general fund); parks and recreation about $15.1 million; and the budget includes a combined 5% merit and cost-of-living adjustment for certain bargaining units. The CFO said the budget anticipates adding 18 full-time and 22 part-time positions, driven in part by the upcoming Cagney Park pool and expanded hours at the Galvin Center.

The presentation noted cost pressures: personnel and benefit increases, and wholesale utility costs that staff project will rise by about $3.25 million (from $17.76M to $21.01M). The CFO also set a sample residential utility-rate increase in the materials at 8.5% to reflect these pressures.

Council members asked for change memos to reflect any directed cuts or reallocations before the final hearing. Members signaled interest in shifting discretionary event dollars toward resurfacing, drainage and other infrastructure if consensus can be reached.