Miami-Dade County commissioners on Monday rejected a first-reading ordinance that would have changed the name, duties and selection method of community councils and community zoning appeals boards, voting 5-7 on the measure.

The proposal, filed as item 4a on the agenda, drew a string of public speakers urging commissioners to preserve elected community councils rather than move to appointments. “I strongly oppose this ordinance,” resident Alicia Arellano said at the podium, adding that community councils were created to “ensure that local residents, not political appointees, have a direct say in zoning and development decisions.” Other speakers, including current and former community council members, told commissioners the change would undermine local accountability and disenfranchise voters.

Supporters of the ordinance framed it as a technical and ethical update to rules governing conduct, composition and authority of the councils. Opponents said it would allow commissioners to appoint members rather than let local voters choose representatives. During the roll call on the motion to approve 4a as a first reading, the chair recorded repeated “no for now” votes and the motion failed 5 to 7.

Because the item was presented as a first reading, proponents said further work was possible, but the immediate vote ended this draft of the measure. Commissioners and speakers noted concerns about ethics enforcement and vacancies, and several asked staff to pursue narrower fixes rather than the broad restructuring proposed in the ordinance.

The defeat leaves the county’s existing process unchanged. Commissioners and community members said they still expect follow-up work on specific ethics or appointment procedures, but no ordinance rewriting the selection process will move forward in this form.

The commission took up and voted on other, separate ordinances and motions later in the meeting.