SERVING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SINCE 1958
Community Newspapers JANUARY 26, 2009
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE SPECIAL OLYMPICS
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• • • • • • • MEMBERS OF 3 CITY COMMITTEES HONORED
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• • • • • • • MITZVAH PROJECT AT JOE DIMAGGIO HOSPITAL
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SUN
S unny I sles B each
VOL. 27, NO. 4
State of the City Address BY MAYOR NORMAN S. EDELCUP Dear Citizens of Sunny Isles Beach The Charter of our City provides that the Mayor presents a “State of the City” message on an annual basis in January. The state of the City message provides me with an opportunity to pass on important information to the citizens of our City, and an explanation of issues that came before your City Commission during the past year. It is my pleasure and privilege as Mayor of Sunny Isles Beach to report to you, the Citizens of this wonderful City, that the state of the City’s financial condition is very secure and strong. We have been able to maintain our funding on scheduled capital improvements this past year; and at the same time maintaining a healthy general fund reserve balance of 17 million dollars. During the past year, the financial well
being of our City held steady. Over 350 million dollars of new construction was added while existing property values decreased by 350 million. This left our total property values in the City at 6.3 billion dollars. As a result of the tax reform mandate from the State Legislature, since 2006, we dropped our millage rate from 2.95 per $1000.00 to 2.48 per $1000.00 of assessed value, a reduction of nearly 16%. Simply put, property tax rates were reduced significantly. In February of 2008, the City of Sunny Isles Beach and Shopping Center Developer Raanan Katz agreed to settle an eminent domain case for $7 million dollars. This settlement finalized the taking of property located at 18080 Collins Avenue, just north of the Government Center. The City is currently using half of the property as a municipal parking lot for vehicles owned by the city and leasing the other half to Alamo Rental Car. The City made a commitment to create more open space and parks on the Westside of the City. The City purchased two
properties on Sunny Isles Boulevard. They were formally owned by Joseph Milton and Associates and Phyllis Goldman. The City is also in the process of creating a parking area for the Samson Oceanfront Park. We have closed on a contract to purchase a vacant lot located behind Walgreens owned by the Avila North Condo Association. On Sunday June 22, the City of Sunny Isles Beach celebrated the 11th Anniversary of Incorporation. Over 3,000 citizens attended the fun filled festivities in Samson Oceanfront Park. In addition to our Birthday Celebration, Sunny Isles Beach sponsored the first annual Don Aronow Memorial offshore Boat Races off the coast of Sunny Isles Beach with over 30 turbine and super-charged speed boats participating. This event generated world wide attention and attracted many visitors from across the nation. We look forward to the sponsorship of these races as an annual presentation in
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