The Palmetto Bay Village Council introduced an ordinance July 6 to create a dedicated Public Safety District, a move that would establish a formal framework for the village's police and fire services.
Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer sponsored the measure, which appeared as Item 11.B on the council's regular meeting agenda at Village Hall, 9705 E. Hibiscus St. The ordinance would establish the Palmetto Bay Public Safety District as a dependent special district under Section 189.02 of Florida Statutes and amend Chapter 26 of the village code by adding Section 26-1.
What a Dependent Special District Means
Under Florida law, a dependent special district is governed by the same body that creates it. In this case, the five-member Village Council — Mayor Karyn Cunningham, Vice Mayor Merwitzer and council members Patrick Fiore, Steve Cody and Marsha Matson — would oversee the district. The district's budget would be contained within the village's general budget but listed separately.
The state requires that such a district's charter spell out its purpose, powers, geographic boundaries, financing methods and why the district is the best alternative for delivering services.
How Palmetto Bay Handles Public Safety Now
Palmetto Bay contracts with the Miami-Dade Police Department for law enforcement and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue for emergency services. The village's dedicated policing unit is commanded by Maj. Antonio Rodriguez. At the same meeting Monday, the council recognized Rodriguez and the policing unit during a "Freedom Grows Through Service" ceremony.
The full text of the proposed ordinance — including specifics on the district's exact powers, boundaries and funding mechanisms — has not been made publicly available beyond the agenda cover page.
Because this was a first reading, the ordinance must come back for a second reading and public hearing before the council can adopt it. The date of that hearing has not been announced. Palmetto Bay holds regular council meetings monthly.
Residents who want to weigh in can speak during the public hearing at the second reading or contact the village clerk's office at 305-259-1234.
