Mayor Higgins Pushes $450 Million Public Safety Bond
The mayor raised $525,000 for a PAC to support the ballot measure heading to voters on November 3.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Miami voters face a decision on a $450 million public safety bond this November, as Mayor Eileen Higgins ramps up a campaign to secure approval for new police and fire infrastructure. The effort is backed by significant fundraising for local political action committees.
Why it matters
The outcome of Referendum 1 will determine how the city funds critical upgrades to its emergency response facilities. Voters are currently weighing whether to authorize the borrowing to improve safety infrastructure across their neighborhoods.
Mayor Eileen Higgins has raised $525,000 for her PAC to promote the $450 million bond referendum. The committee has already transferred $180,000 to the Safe and Ready Miami PAC to support the upcoming campaign.
The players
Eileen Higgins
The Mayor of Miami who is leading the campaign for the public safety bond referendum.
Ethical Leadership for Miami PAC
A political action committee used by the mayor to solicit donations and support the bond plan.
Safe and Ready Miami PAC
A political committee that received a $180,000 transfer to fund campaigning efforts for the bond.
The details
The Ethical Leadership for Miami PAC, led by Mayor Eileen Higgins, has brought in major donations from groups including The Related Group, The Swerdlow Group, and Airbnb. These funds are financing mailers and campaign efforts to advocate for Referendum 1, which seeks authorization for $450 million in borrowing. The city is proposing these upgrades to modernize police and fire stations and improve emergency response times.
Timeline
December 2025: Eileen Higgins took office as mayor.
September 2026: End of the nine-month donation tally period.
November 3, 2026: Date of the bond referendum vote.
Beyond the 305
Public safety bond referendums are the standard mechanism for Miami municipal infrastructure financing. This campaign continues the pattern of utilizing major donor-backed political action committees to sway the electorate on large-scale borrowing proposals.
The passage of Referendum 1 would authorize $450 million in city borrowing to fund new police and fire infrastructure. Residents should track the proposed station locations in their neighborhoods to understand how the bond could impact local emergency services.
The takeaway
The mayoral-led PAC is aggressively campaigning to ensure the bond measure passes in November. Voters should review the specific infrastructure projects identified in Referendum 1 before heading to the polls on November 3.
What happens next
Voters will cast their ballots on Referendum 1 during the election on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local Philanthropy initiatives and community funding efforts.
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