Over the past several weeks, we've held a number of community meetings to get public feedback and answer questions about the proposed budget. We've read and replied to hundreds of letters, e-mails and phone calls. To everyone who attended a community meeting, called or wrote to us, thank you for your input.

I appreciate hearing from so many people who genuinely want to improve government. We are taking a closer look at many of your recommendations to see how we might find further savings and preserve some very worthwhile programs and services.

The process will continue this month with two public budget hearings where our Board of County Commissioners will adopt a final budget. Public hearings are scheduled for September 3rd and September 17th, at 5:01pm, in Commission Chambers at the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1st Street in downtown Miami.

I am committed to working with County Commissioners to finalize a County budget that reflects the type of government residents want and are willing to pay for.

Sincerely,

Mayor Carlos Alvarez