Miami-Dade commissioners were in their second and final budget meeting Thursday night, capping a months-long effort to close a shortfall that once totaled hundreds of millions of dollars.

The meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center, began two hours late after commissioners first convened on another issue. About 190 people signed up to speak before the hearing wrapped up shortly after 10 p.m.

Miami-Dade mayor says budget is balanced

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said before the meeting that the budget gap has been addressed and insisted the county is ready to move forward.

"There is no gap! The budget has been balanced multiple times," Cava said.

After hosting 20 public meetings across the county and holding multiple budget sessions with commissio

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