From Sunshine Review
Miami-Dade County is one of 67 counties in Florida. Miami is the county seat.
Miami-Dade County's population as of 2007 was 2,462,292. It is one of 20 charter counties in the state. It became a charter county in 1957 and was the first Florida county to achieve this status.[1]
[edit] Evaluation of website
- Main article: Evaluation of Florida county websites
[edit] The good
- Budget is published.[2]
- Board meeting schedule[3], agendas[4] and minutes[5] are available.
- County commissioners are listed with contact information.[6]
- Building permits[7] and zoning information is available.[8]
- Audits are available.[9]
- Contracts are available.[10]
- Local tax information is available.[11]
[edit] The bad
[edit] Lobbying
- Main article: Florida taxpayer-funded lobbying
Miami-Dade County has reported $7,985,000 spent on lobbying since 2000 (see table).
Miami-Dade County pays for services of the lobbying firm Alcade & Fay. [13]
Reported lobbying expenditures, 2000-2009 [14]
| Year | Amount spent on lobbying
|
| 2009
| $410,000
|
| 2008
| $875,000
|
| 2007
| $775,000
|
| 2006
| $780,000
|
| 2005
| $1,220,000
|
| 2004
| $1,140,000
|
| 2003
| $1,090,000
|
| 2002
| $680,000
|
| 2001
| $575,000
|
| 2000
| $440,000
|
Line item lobbying expenditures, 2000-2009 [14]
| Year | Department | Amount spent on lobbying
|
| 2005
| Department of Aviation
| Less than $10,000
|
| 2005
| County Office of Government Affairs
| $120,000
|
| 2004
| Department of Aviation
| $160,000
|
| 2004
| County Office of Government Affairs
| $80,000
|
| 2003
| Department of Aviation
| $60,000
|
| 2003
| County Office of Government Affairs
| $100,000
|
| 2002
| Department of Aviation
| Less than $10,000
|
| 2001
| Department of Aviation
| Less than $10,000
|
| 2000
| Dade County Board of Commissioners
| $50,000
|
[edit] Audits
For Miami-Dade County, there are three audit organizations. First, the Commission Auditor reports directly to the Board of County Commissioners. This function was established by Charter change in 2002. Second, the Audit and Management Services Department within the County government reports to the County manager. Third, the Inspector General reports to the Board of County Commissioners.[15]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
