State of the City 2026
Published on January 27, 2026
By Mayor Larisa Svechin
It is my honor to deliver our State of the City address, as required by our City Charter. As we enter our 29th year, I would like to reflect on the accomplishments of 2025 and look ahead to the progress we look to make in 2026.
As always, we strive to lead with transparency. Our goal is to keep residents informed about the work we’re doing to make Sunny Isles Beach a premier destination to live. We remain committed to maintaining a low tax rate while continuing to deliver the quality services, events, and lifestyle you have come to expect from our city.
Public Safety
The safety of our residents remains our top priority, and the integration of new technology within our police department has already proven successful. In July, the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department became the first law enforcement agency in the state of Florida to implement a fully operational Drone as First Responder (DFR) program. This new Drone Unit, operated by a team of FAA-certified officers, uses Skydio X10 drones to respond to emergencies faster, gain critical information before officers arrive on scene, and ultimately enhance safety for both the public and our officers.
To further improve traffic and pedestrian safety, we have installed two additional red-light cameras at key intersections. We’ve also added security cameras at Pelican Community Park, Gateway Park, Town Center Park and Senator Gwen Margolis Park, with another soon to be installed at our teen center The Spot. These cameras are equipped with advanced technology, including visual firearms detection and linked to our Communications Center Hiperwall.
Sunny Isles Beach has joined cities across Miami-Dade County to offer a Text-to-911 service, making it easier for residents to receive emergency help, especially when calling isn’t safe or possible. Users must simply send a text to “911” with their location and type of emergency.
Our residents shared their concerns over scooter use in the City, and we're taking steps to address them. We launched a survey and held two public events to gather the opinions of residents on potential changes to how scooters are regulated. I'm happy to share that we received the highest participation we have ever seen for a City survey. This unprecedented response will guide the Administration in developing increased regulations for the City Commission's consideration.
Capital Improvements
Our city has taken significant steps to mitigate the risk of flooding. Major upgrades to the Golden Shores Pump station are nearing completion, featuring high-capacity pumps and modern controls to better manage heavy rainfall. We have also deployed portable pumps in two locations and are finalizing the design for bidding of the Central Island Drainage Project, which will convert 10 existing drainage wells to pressurized wells to increase stormwater capacity.
You may notice some improvements to the North Bay Road Pedestrian Bridge. The bridge has been repaired and enhanced with a new ADA-compliant surface and upgraded safety bollards, and a green-striped lane was added for bicyclists and scooter riders.
Our city is moving forward with construction of the Government Center Annex, the future home of the Building Department and Crema Gourmet. This new space will enhance convenience and improve residents’ access to city services.
Fiscal Responsibility
Sunny Isles Beach remains committed to fiscal responsibility, as demonstrated by our decision to lower the millage rate for the 13th year to 1.7 mills. Continuing the streak of excellence, our Finance Department was awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 16th consecutive year, as well as the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 14th straight year. In addition, our Procurement Department was honored with the Agency of the Year Award from the Board of the Southeast Florida Chapter of NIGP. These achievements reflect the hard work of our employees, and the transparency and efficiency of our budgeting process.
Community Engagement & the Arts
Our City Commission approved the first official Keys to the City to be presented to Israeli Consul General Maor Elbaz Starinsky and Global Empowerment Mission Founder Michael Capponi for their invaluable contributions to the community. We look forward to honoring more individuals who make a difference in Sunny Isles Beach with this meaningful recognition.
We continue to celebrate the arts, including talent from right here in Sunny Isles Beach. Our Art Uncorked series returned for another year, spotlighting the creativity of both international artists and a local sculptor. The winning works from the Sunny Spaces Art Contest will be added to the Gateway Artway later this year, and our Poetry in the Park event will also make a comeback.
Over the past year, our City Commission has hosted several town halls, covering topics such as antisemitism, gearing up for college, legislative updates, mind-body practices to release stress and improve mood, and my mentoring circle. We also welcomed visits from the Miami-Dade Sheriff and Property Appraiser.
This year also emphasized bringing essential services directly to our residents. Our DBPR Resident Support Sessions, All-in-One Services and Mobile Driver’s License events all allowed residents to access important resources without leaving Sunny Isles Beach.
In August we celebrated the inaugural Adaptive Beach Day, an event designed to make our beach more welcoming and accessible for everyone. The event was a total success and will return in 2026.
Recreation
2025 brought a year of record attendance at our premier City events. Egg Scramble, City Anniversary, Booogie by the Beach and Winter Fest all drew the largest community participation we have ever seen. With everything planned for 2026, I’m confident we can continue this exciting trend.
Soon, we will be opening our newest park–Intracoastal Sports Park. Residents will enjoy a vibrant outdoor space featuring multi-use courts for tennis and basketball, outdoor exercise equipment, and a pedestrian walkway. We hosted a groundbreaking ceremony last February and are happy to announce the park is expected to open by mid-year.
Our teens now have more ways than ever to enjoy the City through expanded programming at The Spot. Seven new programs and events teach a range of skills – from cooking and baking to entrepreneurship, creating clothes, and e-gaming.
City Services
Our Building Department achieved accreditation from the International Accreditation Service – one of the highest recognitions in the industry. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and expertise of our staff and confirms that our Building Department meets the highest standards in customer service and building safety.
We introduced a new recreation registration platform, CivicRec, which has made signing up for events and programs easier than ever before. Since its launch this past year, we have received more than 34,000 registrations across all programs and events.
On the beach, we installed new lifeguard towers to replace older ones that had served the community for more than 25 years. Constructed from marine grade aluminum, the new towers offer enhanced durability and significantly reduce maintenance needs and long-term costs.
Your opinions are important to us, so we have set up customer service kiosks at the Government Center, Building & Code Compliance, Pelican Community Park, and Gateway Center where you can rate your experience and leave comments. We are here to serve you and welcome any feedback.
New elevators were installed at the Gateway Park Pedestrian Bridge. These upgraded elevators are enhanced with safety features including new glass doors and surveillance cameras with around-the-clock monitoring.
Communication
Keeping residents informed about what’s happening in the City is a top priority for me and the City Commission. This year we launched a new text and voice call service that alerts residents of news and updates including road closures, weather updates, holiday reminders, and event updates -- straight to their phone.
Our Media Division was recognized with an Outstanding Award from the Florida Municipal Communicators Association (FMCA), winning first place in the website category. The City’s new website, sibfl.gov, provides an enhanced digital experience for residents, businesses and visitors, reflecting our commitment to service, transparency, and digital accessibility.
Looking Ahead
Taking a ride on our City Bus will soon be easier with the launch of a new mobile-friendly application. The new app will feature multiple language options, improved route tracking, and a passenger counter for reporting ridership. Other enhancements to the City Bus include ADA-compliant ramps, updated cameras, and infotainment LCD screens.
To further promote safety, Speed Detection Systems will soon be installed within the school zone around Norman S. Edelcup K-8. This new tool will support efforts to reduce speeding and improve public safety in school zones by issuing notices of violations.
I am excited for what 2026 holds for Sunny Isles Beach and look forward to all we will accomplish together as a united community.