Bay Harbor Islands Council Considers Parking, Micromobility, and Vessel Noise Ordinances; Budget Workshops Continue
Bay Harbor Islands residents saw a busy stretch of Town Council activity in late July, with three ordinances scheduled for second reading on July 29 and a pair of budget workshops. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so outcomes and vote tallies are not yet available in the public record.
Ordinances on Second Reading (July 29)
The Town Council agenda for July 29 listed three ordinances for second reading:
- **Worker vehicle parking:** An ordinance amending Section 12-26 of the town code to remove designated parking authority and prohibit on-site worker vehicle congregation before 9:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.
- **Micromobility devices:** An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1100 to prohibit micromobility device use by individuals under age 16.
- **Vessel noise:** An ordinance amending and adding provisions to Chapter 12, Article II of the town code regarding vessel noise.
Because minutes are not yet published, the council's actions on these ordinances — including any votes — cannot be confirmed from the available record. Residents should consult the official minutes once posted for the final outcomes.
Budget Workshop on Tentative Millage Rate (July 29)
Also on July 29, the council held a budget workshop to discuss the tentative millage rate to be advertised for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The agenda indicates no final decisions were made at this workshop. Items listed for discussion included:
- The tentative millage rate for the Notice of Proposed Taxes to be mailed by the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser.
- Review of the proposed Town of Bay Harbor Islands budget for FY 2026-2027.
- Tentative scheduling of the first Budget Public Hearing on September 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
- Tentative scheduling of the second Budget Public Hearing on September 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
August 1 Budget Workshop
A second budget workshop was held on August 1. The agenda contained only standard procedural items — call to order, public comment, consent agenda, and similar business — with no specific ordinances, resolutions, or financial details listed for discussion or decision.
What This Means for Residents
The millage rate discussion directly affects property tax bills for the upcoming fiscal year. The proposed hearing dates — September 8 and September 24, both at 6:00 p.m. — are the opportunities for residents to weigh in on the budget and tax rate before adoption. The parking ordinance, if adopted, would set new restrictions on where and when workers may park or congregate on-site, which could affect construction activity and contractor schedules in town. The micromobility ordinance would establish a minimum age of 16 for users of devices such as scooters or similar equipment on public streets. The vessel noise ordinance would add or amend rules governing noise from watercraft.
Coming Up
Town Council Special Budget Meeting — Monday, August 3, 2026 (today): The council will consider a resolution adopting the proposed millage rate for FY 2026-2027 and setting the dates for the first and final budget public hearings (tentatively September 8 and September 24). The agenda also notes public comment rules: a 3-minute limit per speaker, with Zoom participation available.
Residents who wish to speak on the millage rate or budget are encouraged to attend or join via Zoom. Official minutes from the July 29 and August 1 meetings, once published, will confirm what was decided on the three ordinances and the budget discussions.