Over the years, Miami-Dade County has discussed the need to expand mental health services. Anyone who has watched a loved one struggle with mental illness, waited hours in an emergency room, or witnessed law enforcement intervene during a mental health crisis knows that our community needs more options.
That is why I support the opening of the Miami-Dade County Mental Health Center.
But supporting this Center does not mean writing a blank check.
As a Miami-Dade County Commissioner, I believe we have a responsibility to ensure this facility succeeds not just on opening day, but five, ten, and twenty years down the road.
The discussion before the Commission should not focus on whether we support mental health care. We all do.
The real question is whether we are establishing the proper safeguards to ensure this facility delivers results, remains financially sustainable, and operates with the transparency taxpayers deserve.
My proposal to Miami-Dade County
My proposal, which I will present to the Miami-Dade County Commission on June 16, does exactly that.
The Mental Health Center represents a significant public investment. Residents have every right to expect accountability. That is why this proposal establishes formal oversight through the Behavioral Health Advisory Board and mandates annual independent evaluations conducted by health and research professionals.
Simply put, we need to know what is working, what isn't, and where improvements are needed.
The proposal also requires semi-annual reports on patient outcomes, continuity of care, diversion from the criminal justice system, financial sustainability, and the Center's overall effectiveness. Success must be measured by results, not intentions.
If we are reducing recurring crises, helping people access treatment, and easing the burden on emergency rooms and law enforcement, residents should be able to see that progress. And if improvements are needed, we need to know that, too.
The proposal also creates a process to review major operational changes before they happen. Important decisions should not be made behind closed doors; they require independent review and public discussion prior to implementation.
Beyond day-to-day operations, the proposal also focuses on the facility's long-term future
It mandates the development of a comprehensive strategic plan for the future use of the Center’s seventh floor. The plan will explore opportunities to expand behavioral health services, establish public-private partnerships, increase treatment capacity, support workforce development initiatives, and identify innovative uses that can generate revenue while strengthening the facility's long-term sustainability and success.
Planning for the future is especially important as the State of Florida begins a broader conversation about property taxes. State leaders have pushed for initiatives to put a property tax cut to a vote. If approved, Miami-Dade County could face an estimated annual revenue loss of more than $460 million.
No one knows exactly what the future holds, but responsible governance means planning ahead. As local governments face growing demands and revenue uncertainty, accountability is more important than ever.
That is why my proposal also establishes a simple principle: funding for the Mental Health Center must complement—not replace—essential County services. Residents should never be forced to choose between investments in behavioral health and the fundamental services they rely on every day.
Mental health care and fiscal responsibility are not opposing goals; in fact, they go hand in hand
We have an obligation to expand access to treatment. We also have an obligation to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.
I believe we can achieve both.
The Mental Health Center has the potential to transform lives, strengthen public safety, and provide help to individuals who too often fall through the cracks of the system. By establishing robust oversight, transparency, and accountability from the start, we can give this facility the best possible chance of success.
That is not delaying progress. It is ensuring we get it right.
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