‘Political theater’ says Pardo of Miami Downtown Development’s budget flap | Opinion
Since being elected to the Miami city commission representing District 2, I have been a strong proponent of lowering taxes. Just a few weeks after being sworn in, I proposed and voted for a $25 million tax reduction in last year’s budget — one of Miami’s most significant tax cuts.
Unfortunately, some vocal activists in my district aim to deceive and ignore the facts to further their political aspirations.
False controversy
The fabricated controversy in Miami’s District 2 over the Miami Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) draft budget is a perfect example of dishonesty in our politics.
The DDA proposed a lower millage (tax) rate for the upcoming fiscal year.
Still, in the face of climbing real estate values, downtown residents would have to pay nominally more this year over last year’s dollar value.
For those who don’t know, the DDA is the economic agency for the city of Miami’s urban core and maintains several concentrations, including advocacy, quality of life issues, urban planning/resiliency, marketing and business development. The agency’s mission is “to grow, strengthen and promote the economic health and vitality of Downtown Miami.”
Proposed budget
The DDA’s latest draft budget would fund an expansion of services the downtown community has long demanded, including additional assistance for homelessness, parking relief, more police presence and cleaner streets. The DDA also intends to expand more services to Brickell and Edgewater.
Yet, if the DDA were to reduce proposed taxes, all that would mean is that for a savings of $2-$6 a year (the approximate price of a cup of coffee) per household, the needs demanded by residents will once again go unaddressed.
As part of the normal budgeting process, the DDA seeks public input before finalizing its draft budget, which will be presented at Thursday’s final budget hearing at 5 p.m. at Miami City Hall. As always, we encourage residents to attend and engage with their elected representatives and city leaders.
To be clear, I never supported a tax increase in the draft DDA budget, and what the DDA proposed is actually a tax decrease in the rate.
I am well aware and deeply concerned about the burden of higher taxes, insurance costs, and special assessments faced by families in the city, and I will continue listening to and advocating for our residents. From the beginning of my term in office and in alignment with our values, I have promoted and supported broad community input and engagement as the DDA and the city of Miami developed their draft budgets. I have been a champion for more transparency from our government.
Vocal activists
Vocal activists who claim to represent thousands but speak for a small group of residents and personal friends are exclusively motivated by a desire for relevance mounted on falsehoods.
The only way to work through staged political theater is to have resident voices armed with accurate information, clarify the record, and help us separate fact from fiction.
We are currently conducting a resident survey and we will carefully review the feedback we receive prior to Thursday’s meeting.
I was elected to represent residents, not the vocal minorities. I have learned that, over my many years of public service, the residents, if included, usually get it right.
Damian Pardo is the Miami city commissioner representing District 2.
