The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners will consider a new PortMiami director, a proposed Boater Safety and Bay Education Advisory Board and the county's second-quarter budget report when it meets Tuesday, July 21, at 9:30 a.m. in Commission Chambers.

PortMiami director appointment heads to board

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is asking commissioners to confirm Jonathan Daniels as PortMiami's director and CEO.

Daniels has more than 30 years of port experience and most recently served as executive director of the Maryland Port Administration and Port of Baltimore, where he oversaw recovery operations following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. He previously led Port Everglades in Broward County.

"After a lot of reflection as well as careful thought and consideration, I made a very difficult decision to step down as Maryland Port Administration executive director and take the next step in my career," Daniels said in June when his appointment was announced.

Daniels is scheduled to begin Aug. 10. Deputy Mayor Roy Coley has served as interim port director since July 1.

The appointment follows Levine Cava's removal of the previous PortMiami director after a dispute over acquiring the port's fuel terminal on Fisher Island adjacent to the port. The mayor said the proposed purchase price was too high, and Miami-Dade County is now pursuing eminent domain to acquire the facility.

Commissioners to consider boating advisory board

Commissioner Micky Steinberg is sponsoring a first-reading ordinance to create the Miami-Dade County Boater Safety and Bay Education Advisory Board.

The proposal would add a new article to the county code governing Biscayne Bay. As of Thursday, July 16, the full ordinance text had not been released, and the proposed board's membership, duties and jurisdiction had not been detailed.

Budget report comes as county weighs $14.3 billion proposal

The agenda includes the county's second-quarter budget report for the current fiscal year.

Separately, commissioners are reviewing Levine Cava's proposed $14.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27, presented Wednesday, July 15. The proposal would keep property tax rates unchanged but closes a $173 million revenue gap caused by lower-than-expected property tax collections and the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funding.

The proposed transit budget would eliminate 12 bus routes and use the entire $89 million Transportation Infrastructure Improvement District reserve, funds originally set aside for the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit, or SMART, Plan rail expansion. County officials have also said a change in state law will reduce annual sales tax revenue from commercial leases by about $25 million, adding to the transit funding shortfall.

"We have to come up with a plan. There is a crash coming," Commissioner Oliver Gilbert said during a Transportation Committee meeting on July 15.

Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the fiscal year 2026-27 budget in September after public hearings on Sept. 3 and Sept. 17.

Other agenda items

Commissioners are also scheduled to consider:

• An ordinance sponsored by Commissioner Vicki L. Lopez to amend the Metromover subzone of the Rapid Transit Zone by adding certain private property. Municipal notification was issued July 8.
• A resolution accepting up to $8 million in state Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund grants for paratransit services.
• Acceptance of a $900,000 grant from the Miami Foundation for the Department of Cultural Affairs.
• The Charter Review Task Force's final report.

Public participation

The meeting agenda includes a Citizens' Presentations period, with a five-minute limit per speaker, as well as a Reasonable Opportunity for the Public to Be Heard.

Residents needing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Agenda Coordinator's Office at 305-375-2035 at least five days before the meeting.

The agenda was preliminary as of Thursday, July 16, and items may be added or removed before the meeting. The final agenda will be available on the Miami-Dade County website.