City of Miami Gardens

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Content created by Creative Lab @McClatchy and paid for by City of Miami Gardens.

What Does Transferring the Street Lighting Taxing District Mean?

Who keeps the lights on in our City? Who even decides where to put lights in the first place?

Tax Allocation Explained: County Level vs City Level

Have you ever wondered how the City of Miami Gardens gets street lights? Who has control? Who decides where the lights go and when they go up?

Do you want safer neighborhoods? Do you want better lighting? Do you want the City of Miami Gardens to control its lights?

Ballot Question and What It Means

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

Golden Glades Street Lighting Improvement Special Taxing District Lakes of Tuscany Phase One Street Lighting Special Taxing District Palmetto Lakes Industrial Park Street Lighting Improvement Project Dolphin Center Multipurpose Special Taxing District

On December 17, 2019, Miami Gardens Residents in the following districts will decide if control of Special Lighting Districts will transfer from the County to the City:

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On December 17th, 2019, Residents of the City of Miami Gardens will vote to decide if control of tax allocation regarding Special Lighting Districts in our area will transfer from the County to the City.

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Shall the City of Miami Gardens become the governing body of the [Your District] Street Lighting Special Taxing District so that the City, instead of Miami-Dade County, exercises ownership and control of the District as set forth in County Resolution [R-No.] and City Resolution City Resolution [No.]?

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

Do you want safer neighborhoods? Do you want better lighting? Do you want the City of Miami Gardens to control its lights?

Ballot Question and What It Means

This question refers to how decisions about public lighting improvements will be made in Miami Gardens. Currently, the County controls the process: from planning and funding to design and execution. In other words, the City has to go through the County to get anything done! If the ballot measure passes, control would transfer to the City of Miami Gardens. This would allow you, our Residents, to have a say in the decision-making process. Taxing districts were created to pay for and control the lights in our neighborhoods. If approved, the City will be the governing body responsible for public lighting improvements within the community. That matters! Illumination of our City matters! Roads and communities that are well-lit create a feeling of warmth and security. Residents will feel safe every day as they go to school, wait at bus stops, commute to and from work, walk at nights, and enjoy our parks. Lighting plays an integral role in building community.

What It Means — And Why Your Vote Matters

On your ballot, you will see the following question:

Ballots will be mailed out on November 27th, 2019 and must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections no later than 7 pm on December 17th, 2019. This election is Vote-by-Mail only, so don’t forget to fill out your ballots and turn them in. To find out more information, visit the Voter Information page on the Miami-Dade County website.

How can you help make this happen?

McClatchy editorial newsrooms were not involved in the creation of this content.

Content created by Creative Lab @McClatchy and paid for by City of Miami Gardens.

Who keeps the lights on in our City? Who even decides where to put lights in the first place?

What Does Transferring the Street Lighting Taxing District Mean?

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

CLICK FOR MORE CONTENT

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

CLICK FOR MORE CONTENT

Have you ever wondered how the City of Miami Gardens gets street lights? Who has control? Who decides where the lights go and when they go up?

Tax Allocation Explained: County Level vs City Level

PAID CONTENT CREATED BY CREATIVE LAB

McClatchy editorial newsrooms were not involved in the creation of this content.

Content created by Creative Lab @McClatchy and paid for by City of Miami Gardens.

Have you ever wondered how the City of Miami Gardens gets street lights? Who has control? Who decides where the lights go and when they go up?

Tax Allocation Explained: County Level vs City Level

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

What Does Transferring the Street Lighting Taxing District Mean?

Who keeps the lights on in our City? Who even decides where to put lights in the first place?

Under our current system, it’s not the City, but the County. That’s right. In order to pay for street lighting, Miami-Dade County designates Assessment Districts. These Districts are essentially a legal way for them to decide what lighting is needed in your neighborhood. But the City of Miami Gardens believes that our Residents should be able to have more of a say in how our neighborhoods are lit. Because of this, the City has requested control of this process, and voters will decide the issue on December 17th. How will that work? What are the benefits? How will you be impacted?

Let there be light!

Tax Allocation Explained: County Level vs City Level

On December 17th, 2019, Miami Gardens Residents in the following districts will decide if control of Special Lighting Districts will transfer from the County to the City:

County-Level

Miami-Dade County has final jurisdiction over all decisions concerning public improvements and special services.

You get to have a say on what you want to see in your community and how your tax money is being spent.

Why it Matters

All designs and plans for district facilities must be approved by Miami-Dade County.

Your vote can lead to direct changes rather than the City needing to wait for approval by the County.

The County is responsible for expenses incurred by the account of the Assessment District.

With City leaders directly answerable to Residents, fiscally responsible decisions are made.

The County controls funds in the Assessment District’s account.

The City can use leftover funds for additional improvements designed to make life better for Residents.

McClatchy editorial newsrooms were not involved in the creation of this content.

Content created by Creative Lab @McClatchy and paid for by City of Miami Gardens.

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SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

The City of Miami Gardens has final jurisdiction over all decisions concerning public improvements and special services.

City-Level

The City can implement improvement projects without County approval.

The City is responsible for expenses incurred.

The City controls any remaining funds in the account.

Ballots will be mailed out on November 27th, 2019 and must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections no later than 7 pm on December 17th, 2019. This election is Vote-by-Mail only. To find out more information, visit the Voter Information page on the Miami-Dade County website.

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

Have you ever wondered how the City of Miami Gardens gets street lights? Who has control? Who decides where the lights go and when they go up?

Tax Allocation Explained: County Level vs City Level

Do you want safer neighborhoods? Do you want better lighting? Do you want the City of Miami Gardens to control its lights?

Ballot Question and What It Means

CLICK FOR MORE CONTENT

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

CLICK FOR MORE CONTENT

The County presently controls public lighting improvements and approves all designs and plans in our community. Under this structure, the County has total control over the Assessment District’s account and all the funds generated from you, our Residents. City control puts the power in our hands. This would allow the City to make needed enhancements through the implementation of more efficient solutions, such as LED lights, creating lighter, brighter, safer areas throughout our neighborhoods. Even better, due to their improved efficiency and lower maintenance cost, LED lighting can save the City money, which can be invested in more public safety tools.

How You Would Benefit from City-Level Control

Golden Glades Street Lighting Improvement Special Taxing District

Lakes of Tuscany Phase One Street Lighting Special Taxing District

Palmetto Lakes Industrial Park Street Lighting Improvement Project

Dolphin Center Multipurpose Special Taxing District

Why would City-level control be better for you?

Do you want safer neighborhoods? Do you want better lighting? Do you want the City of Miami Gardens to control its lights?

Ballot Question and What It Means

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SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

What It Means — And Why Your Vote Matters

You get to have a say on what you want to see in your community and how your tax money is being spent.

The City of Miami Gardens has final jurisdiction over all decisions concerning public improvements and special services.

Miami-Dade County has final jurisdiction over all decisions concerning public improvements and special services.

Why it Matters

City-Level

County-Level

Your vote can lead to direct changes rather than the City needing to wait for approval by the County.

The City can implement improvement projects without County approval.

All designs and plans for district facilities must be approved by Miami-Dade County.

Why it Matters

City-Level

County-Level

The City can use leftover funds for additional improvements designed to make life better for Residents.

The City controls any remaining funds in the account.

The County controls funds in the Assessment District’s account.

Why it Matters

City-Level

County-Level

With City leaders directly answerable to Residents, fiscally responsible decisions are made.

The City is responsible for expenses incurred.

The County is responsible for expenses incurred by the account of the Assessment District.

Why it Matters

City-Level

County-Level

McClatchy editorial newsrooms were not involved in the creation of this content.

Content created by Creative Lab @McClatchy and paid for by City of Miami Gardens.

Who keeps the lights on in our City? Who even decides where to put lights in the first place?

What Does Transferring the Street Lighting Taxing District Mean?

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

CLICK FOR MORE CONTENT

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

CLICK FOR MORE CONTENT

Roads and communities that are well-lit create a feeling of warmth and security. Street lighting provides additional benefits such as streetscape enhancements and reductions in on-street accidents.

A Sense of Safety

The County presently controls public lighting improvements and approves all designs and plans in your district. You pay for it, you should have control. So, the City of Miami Gardens is currently seeking control of our Special Lighting Districts from Miami-Dade County. If approved, the City will become the governing body responsible for public lighting improvements within the community. Why do we have public lighting improvements in the first place? How do they benefit our community?

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Improved lighting modifies an environment and reduces opportunities for offenders to commit crimes.

Lighting enhancements support economic growth by increasing the amount of time that people can spend on dining, entertainment and supporting retail after dark. Increased economic activity results in more money being spent and re-invested in the community.

Potential for Increased Economic Activity

There are many activities involved in creating a lively, safe, and sustainable City. Good roads and accessible amenities are important components of public spaces. So too is lighting. Better lighting makes for safer neighborhoods and plays and integral role in building community.

Enhanced Quality of Life and Desirability of the Community

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

Who keeps the lights on in our City? Who even decides where to put lights in the first place?

What Does Transferring the Street Lighting Taxing District Mean?

Crime Deterrent

McClatchy editorial newsrooms were not involved in the creation of this content.

Content created by Creative Lab @McClatchy and paid for by City of Miami Gardens.

Do you want safer neighborhoods? Do you want better lighting? Do you want the City of Miami Gardens to control its lights?

Ballot Question and What It Means

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

CLICK FOR MORE CONTENT

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

CLICK FOR MORE CONTENT

Have you ever wondered how the City of Miami Gardens gets street lights? Who has control? Who decides where the lights go and when they go up?

Tax Allocation Explained: County Level vs City Level

PAID CONTENT CREATED BY CREATIVE LAB

Do you want safer neighborhoods? Do you want better lighting? Do you want the City of Miami Gardens to control its lights?

Ballot Question and What It Means

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

Do you want safer neighborhoods? Do you want better lighting? Do you want the City of Miami Gardens to control its lights?

Ballot Question and What It Means

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

CLICK FOR MORE CONTENT

SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD. LET THERE BE LIGHT.

CLICK FOR MORE CONTENT

McClatchy editorial newsrooms were not involved in the creation of this content.

Content created by Creative Lab @McClatchy and paid for by City of Miami Gardens.