Since OPPAGA's 2012 report, discretionary surtax program administrative costs have met statutory requirements. During the review period, administrative costs comprised less than 10% of the total surtax revenues. However, expenditure requirements for homeownership programs have not been met in recent years. For most of the review period, program expenditures did not meet the statutory requirement that no less than 35% of funds be used for homeownership.
Loan collectability also remains an issue and 37% of loans in repayment are in default or there is lack of payment due to project cash flow. During the review period, $4.9 million in loans were written off as uncollectable. However, the county has recently made several changes to reduce risk and improve collectability of surtax loans.
Performance data is now being collected but is not yet reported to policy makers in a consistent manner. Program officials report that they are revising internal policies and procedures and plan to implement a new reporting procedure that will summarize program performance information.
OPPAGA analysis found that surtax funds have financed affordable rental housing projects in areas of Miami-Dade County where a majority of the renter population is low income and cost burdened. We also found that surtax funds have provided rental housing in low-income areas where over 25% of the renter population is severely cost burdened.

Miami-Dade's Discretionary Surtax Provides Benefits; Accountability Processes Should Be Improved
Report 12-08 June 2012

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.