Good afternoon, all. Earlier this week, two important items were heard and approved at various County Commission committees.

At the County’s Appropriations Committee, the County’s proposed fee increase on all development-permit-related approvals (RER-based) was sent to the full Commission for their consideration, without recommendation. Two commissioners were concerned about the fee increase impact on homeowners. On the whole, most items were subject to a small percentage increase, with a few seeing high fee increases.

The full County Commission will likely consider this Implementing Order (IO) at their June 26th, 2025 Meeting. While only a handful of fees are going up by a considerable amount, most of them (about 90%) are going up about 12.5%. They would become effective on permit applications on and after on October 1, 2025, and would apply to Planning, Zoning & Platting, DERM, Building and for the Storm Water Utility fee.

As a refresher, BASF held multiple meetings with members and with RER Director Lourdes Gomez and all department directors. All fee-related issues were discussed in detail. Ultimately, members chose to support the fee increase, based on what they have seen as improved staff accessibility to help problem-solve on permit issues, and continuous improvements and upgrades to computer programming and related technologies. Since I have previously sent this out to all members, I am not attaching it again. However, if you'd like a copy of the item, please email me.

Later the same day, the Seawalls Ordinance was approved - the item proposes more streamlined plan approval which means speedier seawall repair permits! This important item, which passed unanimously in the Port & Resiliency Committee, was sponsored by Commissioner Eileen Higgins. See button below for complete item.

Briefly, the proposed item would fast-track and streamline DERM’s current overly time-consuming seawall repair permit review times. To a person, all ten speakers during the public hearing, including Miami Beach City Commissioner Alex Fernandez, all said that DERM’s sea wall approval time was “unacceptably long”: two years. We completely agreed with them, too! All other counties, including Broward County, typically issue the same permits in six months. This item will go to second reading in another month or so.

Call if you have questions or comments on either issue....and thank you for being great Members! TB

First Reading: Seawall Ordinance