Miami-Dade Sheriff reaches $31 million budget deal with the county – NBC 6 South Florida

Miami-Dade County is making progress on some fronts for next fiscal year’s budget.

Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz announced on Friday that her department has reached an agreement with the county on her request for an additional approximate $31 million.

“This is a victory for every resident, family and neighborhood in our county,” the sheriff wrote in a statement. “With these resources secured, the Sheriff’s Office can continue to meet the needs of a growing community…”

“We were not going to allow anything to jeopardize the safety of our residents, of our community, and our neighbors, and our families,” said Anthony Rodriguez, the chairman of the county commission. “Something that people often forget is we are elected officials, but I am also raising my family in this community.

The budget process started with an approximate $400 million deficit. County officials have found tens of millions in newly identified and recovered funds. The state requires all cities and counties to pass a balanced budget.

The sheriff’s office may have settled its budget matter, but not Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

Union leaders have complained about funding, some $28 million, for the department’s four rescue helicopters. Those monies have come out of the county’s general fund.

Now the mayor is insisting the Fire Rescue department foot that bill. Fire officials say that the added expense could impact rescue services and 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.”

County officials are still crunching numbers. Taxpayers will have several opportunities coming up to chime in on how their dollars are spent.

Commissioners are set for a final vote on the budget next month.