Miami City Commission Approves Safe and Ready Miami Bond

Miami City Commission Approves Safe and Ready Miami Bond

Published on July 09, 2026

"Our police officers, paramedics, and firefighters serve this city with professionalism, courage, and pride, and they deserve facilities that match the level of service they provide every day," said Mayor Eileen Higgins."The conditions in our police headquarters and fire stations are unacceptable. This bond is about public safety, operational readiness, and dignity, but it is also about saving lives. Response time is critical. When someone suffers a heart attack, every minute without treatment can reduce their chance of survival by approximately 10 percent. I want to thank Commissioner Escalona for co-sponsoring this item, and I thank my colleagues on the City Commission for their leadership and for standing with the men and women who keep Miami safe. Now it is up to Miami voters."

"Our first responders put their lives on the line every day, yet many continue working in facilities that are outdated, overcrowded, and no longer meet the demands of a growing city. That is unacceptable," said Commissioner Rolando Escalona. "I co-sponsored this measure because our city has a responsibility to provide our police officers, firefighters, and paramedics with facilities that allow them to serve our residents safely and effectively. Investing in modern police and fire-rescue facilities is an investment in public safety, emergency preparedness, and the well-being of every resident. Now, Miami voters have the opportunity to decide whether our first responders will have the facilities they need to continue protecting our community for generations to come."

"This is a responsible investment in public safety," said Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela. "Our police officers, firefighters, and paramedics deserve safe, modern facilities that help them do their jobs and respond quickly when residents need them most. We can make these critical investments in a fiscally responsible way, with accountability, transparency, and no increase to the current debt millage rate. Now, Miami voters will have the final say."

Miami's current Police Headquarters opened in 1976 and was designed for approximately 560 officers. Today, it houses roughly 1,390 sworn personnel and 400 additional staff members. The facility is plagued by plumbing failures, flooding, inoperable restrooms, roof leaks, and outdated electrical systems. Of the City's 17 fire-rescue stations, eight are more than 50 years old, and two are more than 60 years old, with some unable to accommodate modern emergency vehicles.

If approved by voters, the Safe and Ready Miami bond will support critical upgrades to City infrastructure, including modernizing fire stations, constructing new stations where needed, addressing severe deferred maintenance, and building a mission-ready Public Safety Headquarters designed to meet the needs of today's police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders.

The bond would be repaid through ad valorem taxes within the current maximum debt millage rate of 0.5935 mills, with no increase to the current debt millage rate for residents. The program would also be subject to independent annual audits to ensure accountability and transparency. Residents will be able to learn more about the projects and follow updates at SafeAndReadyMiami.com.

The Special Bond Referendum will take place on November 3, 2026.