ABOUT THE 2018 BOND REFERENDUM

Referendum Ballot Questions:

In November 2018, Miami Beach residents voted to approve the $439 million General Obligation (G.O.) Bond Program, passing all 3 related ballot questions with an outstanding support rate of approximately 70%.

2018 Ballot Question #4:

$169,000,000 General Obligation Bond issue to improve city's parks, recreational facilities and cultural facilities.

To improve the City’s parks, recreational facilities, and cultural facilities, including playgrounds, baywalks, beachwalks, waterways, landscaping, equipment, lighting, security, and parking related to such facilities, shall the City be authorized to issue general obligation bonds, from time to time, not exceeding $169,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, payable from unlimited ad valorem taxes, bearing interest not exceeding the maximum legal interest rate, and maturing no later than 30 years from issuance date?

2018 Ballot Question #5:

$198,000,000 General Obligation Bond issue to improve city's neighborhoods and infrastructure.

To improve the City’s neighborhoods and infrastructure, including stormwater and flooding mitigation projects, sidewalk and street renovation and repairs, protected bicycle lanes, pedestrian paths, landscaping, and lighting, shall the City be authorized to issue general obligation bonds, from time to time, not exceeding $198,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, payable from unlimited ad valorem taxes, bearing interest not exceeding the maximum legal interest rate, and maturing no later than 30 years from issuance date?

2018 Ballot Question #6:

$72,000,000 General Obligation Bond issue for city police, fire, public safety, and security improvements.

To improve the City’s police, fire, and public safety facilities, equipment, and technology, and to improve lighting and security throughout the City, shall the City be authorized to issue general obligation bonds, from time to time, not exceeding $72,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, payable from unlimited ad valorem taxes, bearing interest not exceeding the maximum legal interest rate, and maturing no later than 30 years from issuance date?

Pre-Referendum Program History:

The series of events that led up to the approval of the Miami Beach G.O. Bond include:

February & March, 2018: With resident feedback, city master plans, neighborhood assessments, and life quality studies in mind, a long initial project wish list was produced, which had an estimated budget of $1.1 billion.

April, 2018: A City Commission workshop was held to prioritize and reduce the initial project wish list. By the end of the workshop, the proposed total G.O. Bond Program budget was reduced from $1.1 billion to $700 million.

May, 2018: The formation of a 'Mayor’s G.O. Bond Advisory Panel' was announced and enacted, which involved the appointment of 11 Miami Beach residents that would continue to prioritize projects in order to reduce the total program budget to an even more affordable cost. Ultimately, the Mayor's Panel recommended a final list of proposed G.O. Bond projects.

May & June, 2018: A series of community meetings were held across the city to discuss the final list of proposed projects that the Mayor's Panel had recommended. Residents discussed the opportunities and challenges that were associated with municipal bond programs, and city staff and elected officials were present to answer questions.

July, 2018: The City Commission held a second workshop to review the final recommendations of the Mayor's G.O. Bond Advisory Panel and to discuss the community feedback that was received from public meetings and charrettes. There, the Mayor and Commission approved a final list of 57 projects with a total budget of $439 million.

August, September & October, 2018: City staff produced and delivered educational materials to every Miami Beach resident household. Each of the 57 proposed G.O. Bond projects were detailed in an informational booklet, and official ballot question language was provided.

November 6, 2018: On Election Day, all three of the G.O. Bond referendum items passed with a voter support rate of 70%. With those results, the $439 million Miami Beach G.O. Bond Program was formally approved.

CLICK HERE to see the G.O. Bond project descriptions that were included in the 2018 Voter Information Guide.

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