Michael Joseph: Robbing Peter to pay Paul — unfair water bill threatens our community

Close up of water meter with rotating digit.

As Mayor of North Miami Beach, it is my duty to set the record straight about the ongoing water dispute between our city and Miami Gardens. There’s been a lot of emotion, plenty of speeches, and even some political theater — but at the end of the day, the truth still matters.

For over 70 years, North Miami Beach has operated the Norwood Water Treatment Plant, which we purchased and maintained long before Miami Gardens was established as a city. Today, that plant serves more than 170,000 residents across the region, including parts of Miami Gardens, Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Golden Beach and unincorporated Miami-Dade areas like Biscayne Gardens.

We charge a 25% surcharge to non-NMB resident customers — including approximately one-third of Miami Gardens — to ensure the cost of maintaining this infrastructure is shared equitably. That’s not exploitation — it’s responsible governance and reflects the reality of how a free-market utility model functions. You use a service, you pay your fair share. It’s simple.

Let’s not forget: when the COVID-19 pandemic froze the economy and families were struggling, North Miami Beach stepped up. We absorbed delinquent payments, halted shutoffs, and kept our utilities running smoothly for every customer — without compromising service or safety. While other systems faltered, not one household went without water on our watch. We didn’t ask for a bailout; we made sacrifices and honored our commitment to the community.

Now, there’s a push in Tallahassee to strip away the surcharge — but only for one city. Let me be clear: you can’t rob Peter to pay Paul. A blessing for one group cannot become a burden for everyone else. If this legislation passes, the loss of roughly $5 million a year — including over $100,000 in annual surcharge revenue from Hard Rock Stadium alone — will have to be covered by every other water customer. That’s not justice. That’s Communism.

And what’s worse, we’re being asked to accept this while Miami Gardens continues charging its own residents a 10% utility tax — on water they don’t even treat or deliver. If this were truly about helping residents save, they could start there. But it’s easier to pass the buck than to cut your own tax.

North Miami Beach has made every attempt to work this out neighbor-to-neighbor. We waived surcharges for government accounts. We invited discussion. We offered options. But instead of negotiation, Miami Gardens went to Tallahassee to flex its political muscle.

Nonetheless, Miami Gardens has real alternatives to choose from:

— Transition fully to Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer, which already serves two-thirds of their city.

— Build and operate their own water utility.

— Or, if they want full control, buy out NMB Water.

What they shouldn’t do is try to legislate a shortcut that punishes an award-winning and successful utility to subsidize inefficiency and sidestep responsibility.

If made into law, SB202/HB11 would set a bad precedent for government overreach. It’s an unnecessary burden — another cost compounded on the backs of working families at the worst possible time. It undermines the principles of local control, free enterprise and personal accountability. If we’re going to talk about fairness, it has to be fairness for everyone — not just those with louder voices or better political connections.

As we say in church, “What’s done in the dark will come to light,” and “The truth shall set you free.” This issue deserves light, not shadows — truth, not politics.

___

Michael Joseph is the Mayor of North Miami Beach.