MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A newly formed Miami-Dade County task force held its inaugural meeting Tuesday morning to begin streamlining the county’s notoriously complex procurement system.
The 14-member board — officially titled the Streamlining Procurement and Improving Processes task force (STRIP) — was created to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in how the county acquires goods and services.
Members will review existing laws, codes, and procedures and present recommendations to the Miami-Dade County Commission.
The task force’s launch comes as the county faces a budget shortfall exceeding $400 million, and as Gov. Ron DeSantis signals plans to increase state oversight in the region.
“Our current procurement process is bogged down by over 200 pieces of legislation and an average of 100 individual steps per request,” Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Anthony Rodriguez, who represents District 10, said in a May news release. “For contracts exceeding $1 million, it takes over 349 days to procure. This inefficiency not only drives up costs but also creates an uneven playing field, favoring only those who can afford to navigate the delays.”
Rodriguez announced the task force appointments on X, including Bilzin Sumberg’s Public-Private Partnerships Partner Diana C. Mendez and Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner Albert E. Dotson Jr., as well as LSN Partners’ Erin Hendrix.
In a recent Miami Herald op-ed, Rodriguez posed a central question behind STRIP’s creation.
“How can we remove burdensome regulations and red tape? How can we save taxpayers money, all while ensuring that Miami-Dade remains a sought-after place to live and do business?” he asked.
Meanwhile, DeSantis continues to hint at broader intervention across South Florida.
“So Miami-Dade, we have had some cooperation,” DeSantis said. “I guess you’d say some cooperation, but not good enough. And so I think it’s very possible that you see an announcement on Miami-Dade within the next couple of weeks. I think it’s also possible you can see an announcement on Palm Beach. And then there’s also municipalities in South Florida as well. But I think it’s going be probably 10 to 15 counties, municipalities, split that are going get the on-site DOGE inspections.”
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava released a statement in response on Tuesday.
“Our priorities remain focused on delivering for residents: investing in infrastructure, public safety, affordable housing, and economic opportunity — not playing into staged political theater.”
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