Miami-Dade Commissioners approved a $12.9 billion budget for the coming fiscal year early Friday morning after a grueling meeting that stretched into the pre-dawn hours, ending months of negotiations over how to close a massive shortfall while keeping core services intact.

The marathon session, which began Thursday evening and lasted until nearly 4 a.m., came after nearly 200 residents and nonprofit leaders signed up to speak, voicing concerns about service cuts, higher fees and funding for community programs.

The adopted budget leaves property tax rates unchanged, but raises water rates by 3.5% and increases the county’s annual trash fee by about $5.

Despite the disagreements on the dais, the County Commission approved all measures necessary to implement the county’s new fiscal

See Full Page