Miami Beach Commission Sends $789 Million Infrastructure Bond to November Ballot
The Miami Beach City Commission met July 22, 2026, at City Hall for its final regular session before the board's traditional August recess, working through a packed 211-item agenda that included the biggest infrastructure financing decision the city has weighed in years.
Bond referendum headed to November ballot
The commission's most consequential action was calling for a special election this fall on whether to authorize as much as $789.16 million in general obligation bonds, to be repaid through property taxes over as long as 30 years. The money would go toward stormwater, water, and sewer upgrades citywide, including neighborhood improvement projects, replacement of aging critical infrastructure, flood mitigation, seawall work, and other resiliency initiatives aimed at helping the barrier island cope with sea-level rise and chronic flooding.
Miami Beach voters will decide the question at a special election set for November 3, 2026 — the same day as Miami-Dade County's own countywide bond vote. If approved, it would rank among the largest infrastructure bonds in the city's history and would be paid down through unlimited ad valorem (property) taxes, meaning it could affect future tax bills for homeowners and businesses across the city.
Board modernization policy direction
Commissioners also acted on recommendations from the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee's July 15 meeting, approving policy direction on modernizing how the city's boards and committees operate. The item reflects an ongoing effort at City Hall to streamline board structures, appointments, and procedures.
Tennis program extended and expanded to Bayshore Park
On the parks and recreation side, the commission approved a five-year extension — with two additional one-year renewal options — of the city's agreement with Van Daalen Tennis, LLC to continue managing the Neighborhood Tennis Court Reservation Program. The commission made the reservation system permanent and expanded it to Bayshore Park, building on Van Daalen's existing relationship with the tennis program at Miami Beach Senior High School. Approving the contractor without a new competitive bid required a five-sevenths supermajority vote, which the commission granted after finding the waiver in the city's best interest.
What's next
With August off as a scheduled recess month, the City Commission's next regular meeting is set for September 10, 2026, when commissioners are also slated to hold their first budget hearing of the cycle. Residents can review the full July 22 agenda, meeting video, and supporting documents through the City Clerk's office or the city's online agenda portal, and can watch future meetings live on Miami Beach TV (MBTV) or the city's Facebook page.