FYI Miami: May 30, 2024

Below are some of the FYIs in this week’s edition. The entire content of this week’s FYIs and Insider sections is available by subscription only. To subscribe click here.

TRANSPORTATION TAX CHANGES: More properties in Miami-Dade would face Transportation Increment Improvement District taxes under change due for a June 5 hearing before the county’s Chairman’s Policy Council. The legislation would revise district boundaries, change the way the tax increment is calculated and see some community redevelopment agencies lose funds to the improvement district. One change would have district funding based on multiple types of new projects, not just six planned legs of rapid transit. Tax areas could extend further from transit than today’s half-mile limit. Community redevelopment agencies, all now exempt, would be required to contribute at least 25% of their annual tax funding to the transportation district under the legislation by Eileen Higgins that passed the county commission 8-0 on first reading last week. The legislation says the changes would provide a dedicated funding source for transportation growth.

UHEALTH JACKSON STATION: The University of Miami Health System, or UHealth, is seeking to pay Miami-Dade County $2.9 million for 20-year naming rights and sponsorship rights to what is now the county’s Civic Center Metrorail Station. The aim is to rename the station at 1501 NW 12th Ave. as UHealth Jackson Station. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava would ratify an agreement between the Public Health Trust and Jackson Health System to co-brand and rename the civic center. The revenues from the naming rights would be earmarked for the county’s Department of Transportation and Public Works under the agreement, which is to go before county commissioners June 4 for approval.

NO CASHLESS SOCIETY: Nine county-operated facilities could benefit from use of cash-to-card kiosks to convert cash into digital cards that could be used at digital point-of-sale terminals, a study has found, but the terminals would cost $30,000 apiece and the county now has no vendors to supply them. The county prohibits retailers from refusing to accept cash payments, but cash doesn’t work at all county facilities, which could be an impediment to elderly, low-income and disabled persons, hence the study. A report from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava recommends that the county dig into the nine places where cash-to-card kiosks could help and also hunt for vendors of the machines. 

GRADS MAY KEEP PLAYING: The State Board of Education is considering changes to the Florida High School Athletic Association bylaws that would allow student-athletes to continue playing sports if they have graduated early. Any change faces approval by the state education board.