The Town Hall Meeting held on September 8, 2025, in Coral Gables focused on the city's budget and the contributions of commercial properties to property tax revenue. Commissioner Melissa Castro addressed concerns regarding the visibility of commercial property contributions in the budget book, clarifying that while detailed information is not explicitly listed, it is presented during budget hearings.

The estimated total property tax revenue for the city is projected at $137 million, with commercial properties contributing just under $25 million. This represents approximately 25% of the total tax revenue, despite commercial properties making up only 8.8% of the total property count in Coral Gables, which is nearly 20,000 properties. The discussion highlighted the significant role commercial properties play in the city's revenue generation.

Commissioner Castro also responded to inquiries about the costs associated with servicing these commercial properties, noting that while they provide their own trash services, the city incurs costs for police, fire, and road maintenance. However, she indicated that the city does not currently budget in a way that breaks down these costs by property type.

Additionally, the topic of impact fees was raised, with questions about how much of these fees collected by the county are returned to Coral Gables. Castro acknowledged the difficulty in obtaining clear answers regarding the return of impact fees to the city, indicating a need for further transparency in this area.

The meeting underscored the importance of commercial properties in the city's financial landscape and highlighted ongoing questions about the equitable distribution of costs and revenues associated with these properties. As the city prepares for future budget discussions, these issues will likely remain a focal point for both city officials and residents.