On January 30th, 2025, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava delivered the highly anticipated State of the County Address, outlining key initiatives for the upcoming years. With a focus on tackling environmental resilience, enhancing government efficiency, and improving transportation systems, the mayor’s speech provided a roadmap for the county’s future growth and development. The Catalyst sat down with Mayor Cava and Chief Operating Officer of Miami-Dade County Jimmy Morales to discuss their intentions for the future of the county.
Government Efficiency:
As part of her commitment to enhancing government efficiency, the mayor unveiled the WISE 305 initiative which would have the county investing in automation to save dollars. “The W is the workplace contribution, where all the employees are being asked to identify things to bring down costs that could be efficiencies. It could be modernization, technology, different things,” she said.
Additionally, Cava underscored the significance of government efficiency in fostering long-term economic sustainability. “It’s about being accountable with taxpayers’ dollars and making sure we are making strategic investments that will have a lasting impact,” she said. The mayor’s vision for a more efficient government is part of a broader goal to create a county that is not only responsive to the needs of its residents but also a model for innovation in local governance.
Transportation:
To many RE students, getting to and from school is filled with challenges, specifically Miami traffic. The South-Dade Transit Way, a rapid bus transit system set to open this summer, is a crucial step toward reducing traffic congestion. “This is a very important project that I championed as County Commissioner and now as mayor,” Cava said. “It’s, first of all, all electric. So, of course, it’s better for the environment. Also, it’s an express service. So it’s not making local stops.”
Morales echoed the significance of planning for the future, noting that transportation systems need to evolve to meet the demands of a growing population. “As the population grows, we have to ensure our transportation systems are ready to handle the increased demand,” he said.
The electric bus service is designed to improve both speed and efficiency for commuters, with features like traffic light prioritization that allows buses to move more smoothly through traffic. This technology, paired with the express service’s lack of local stops, aims to ensure that travel times are reduced for passengers traveling through South-Dade.
Miami International Airport:
In addition to transportation, Mayor Cava also highlighted the ongoing transformation at Miami International Airport (MIA), which has been a key focus of her administration. The airport, once plagued by outdated facilities, is undergoing a significant $9 billion renovation and expansion project aimed at improving passenger experiences and increasing its global connectivity.
Morales elaborated on these efforts: “The central terminal, for example, is 70 years old. So, one component of it is really redoing the central terminal, a huge facelift, which will certainly change customer experience. It’s almost a two-billion-dollar project just for that.”
Morales also highlighted key upgrades such as the addition of 12 new gates to accommodate large international aircraft and improvements to the smaller D60 terminal, which serves regional flights. He emphasized the importance of renovating outdated amenities, such as the airport’s restrooms, elevators, and escalators, with a focus on minimizing disruptions to travelers. “By the time this process is over, every bathroom should be like brand new,” he stated.
Environmental Resilience:
One of the mayor’s core focuses was environmental resilience, particularly the efforts to combat extreme heat by increasing tree canopy coverage in underserved neighborhoods. “We have a very extensive tree plan, but we are committed to getting to a 30% tree cover,” Cava said, noting that the county is currently at 20%.
“We are targeting the neighborhoods that have the lowest tree cover first, which is usually the lower-income communities,” she explained.
Morales echoed the importance of environmental sustainability. “One of our priorities is focusing on these neighborhoods that don’t have the same resources as others. We’ve got to level the playing field when it comes to the environment.”
Cava further emphasized community engagement, mentioning initiatives like the Adopt-A-Tree program and collaborations with local schools and faith organizations to boost outreach and education about tree care. She added that they are also in talks with the City of Miami regarding a joint effort to incentivize tree planting.
Housing:
Cava also discussed the need for affordable housing, outlining plans to maximize the potential of county-owned properties. “We’ve already been doing this for a long time, but now we’ve been more aggressive to identify underutilized county property,” she explained. “If it’s county-owned property and they’re building something that’s affordable, then they get the land for free or for a very low price.” This initiative will allow the county to develop thousands of affordable housing units, alleviating the housing shortage.
“Affordable housing is a top priority,” said Morales, agreeing with the mayor’s efforts to utilize available land for housing development. “We’re focused on building both long-term sustainable infrastructure and short-term solutions to meet the demand. This is a critical part of maintaining the county’s growth trajectory.”
Public Safety:
The 2025 address also emphasized the importance of public safety as Miami-Dade continues to grow and evolve. With the addition of a newly elected independent sheriff, Morales discussed the need for close collaboration between the county, law enforcement, and municipal police departments to tackle crime and improve community safety. “We need to work closely with them,” he said, referring to the sheriff’s office. “We can only ask them to do things, obviously they have their duties to provide service.”
The county is also focusing on preventive measures, such as mental health initiatives and youth programs aimed at reducing crime. Morales pointed to the “Peace and Prosperity Program,” where revenue from the Kaseya Center sponsorship is reinvested in programs designed to combat crime and support local communities. “We put that money into anti-crime prevention, environmental programs, and youth programs to try to get kids off the street and back into schools,” he explained.
