OUTSOURCING OR SELLING COUNTY DEBT

Board of County Commissioners · 2026-07-21 · report

This legislative report, File Number 261102, addresses the feasibility of outsourcing or selling Miami-Dade County debt. As of July 29, 2025, the County had approximately $525 million in outstanding debt, excluding Jackson Health System. The report identifies about $41 million (8%) of this debt as potentially suitable for sale to third-party collection agencies or receivables buyers. The remaining 92% is not recommended for sale due to compliance requirements, data privacy concerns (HIPAA), and the need for personalized constituent assistance. The report notes that selling debt could lead to legal risks under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and potentially jeopardize funding streams for departments. The County Mayor's office recommends considering the sale of a portion of the debt to generate cash flow, with specific criteria to minimize risk. The report references past experiences with outside collection agencies and legal precedents regarding the assignment of liens. The matter is pending Board of County Commissioners (BCC) assignment and was introduced on June 15, 2026, with an agenda date of July 21, 2026.