County Commission Approves $6B Budget

$6 Billion Budget Approved in Miami-Dade

Mayor's plan approved, will close $400 million gap

By Julia Bagg

|  Friday, Sep 23, 2011 

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/6-Billion-Budget-Approved-in-Miami-Dade-130412143.html

After a late-night meeting that lasted from Thursday evening to Friday morning, Miami-Dade County commissioners finally approved a $6.12 billion budget for next year.

Commissioners got a late start on their debate, after hearing more than five hours of public comment beginning at 5 p.m., according to the Miami Herald.

Things didn't wrap up until after 3 a.m. Friday.

Under the plan, the county will close a $400 million budget gap in part by cutting more than 1,100 positions, some 500 of which are already vacant.

Mayor Carlos Gimenez's revised plan keeps a slimmer version of a popular "boot camp" alive for young offenders. It also keeps firefighters on water patrol.

Commissioners did get rid of a controversial tax rate hike that passed last year and approved Gimenez's plan to reduce the numbers of county departments from 42 to 25.