The decision to go ahead with the deal to renovate Sun Life Stadium is now in the hands of Miami-Dade voters, but the deadline to register is quickly approaching.
Residents must register by Monday, April 15th to be eligible to vote in the May 14th Special election, according to the Miami-Dade Elections Department.
“In order to participate in this election, you must be a registered voter, and the deadline of April 15th is quickly approaching,” said Penelope Townsley, Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections, in a statement. “One of our most important missions is to encourage all eligible residents to register and to take advantage of their right to vote.”
According to the deal, the county would increase its mainland hotel tax rate from 6 percent to 7 percent, then give the Miami Dolphins 75 percent of the new revenue up to $7.5 million in the first year. The cap would increase by 3 percent every year thereafter.
After 30 years, the team would refund between $110 million and $120 million to Miami-Dade.
Dolphins Will Pay Back State Money For Sun Life Renovations
The Dolphins have agreed to pay for the election, which is expected to cost about $4.8 million. The team's CEO Mike Dee delivered a check for about that amount to County Hall on Friday.
"I think it's very important to make sure that we get the facts out. We have to inform the public. This can't just be a referendum about soundbites. It has to be about: 'These are the aspects of this partnership that are compelling, this is why it's important to the community.'"
Dee was asked whether the money could help pay for a big-name running back or offensive lineman.
"There are always those thoughts ... but this is a fundamental part of the process and one that we embrace and one that we are happy to make sure that the taxpayers don't pay for, so it is a great day for us," Dee said.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said this deal is much better than the Marlins Park agreement.
To register, Miami-Dade residents can visit the Elections Department website and click on “Register to Vote.” After completing the online form it can be mailed to the Elections Department at Supervisor of Elections, P.O. Box 521550, Miami, FL 33152.
The form must be postmarked by Monday, April 15th to be accepted.
Registration forms can also be delivered in person at the Miami-Dade Elections office at 2700 NW 87 Avenue, Miami, FL 33172.
Other locations that will accept voter registration forms:
- Miami-Dade Elections Department Voter Information Center (Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1 Street) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Monday.
- Public libraries
- Most city, town and village halls
- State public assistance agencies
- Florida Driver License Bureaus
Voters must be citizens of 18 years of age or older that are permanent Miami-Dade County residents to register.
For more information, visit www.miamidade.gov/elections or call 305-499-VOTE (8683).
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Do you support the hotel tax increase for the Sun Life Stadium modernization plan? Let us know by calling or texting 305-600-5161, or vote on NBC 6 South Florida's Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Photo Credit: Miami Dolphins