Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sen. René García appointed Miami Lakes Mayor Josh Dieguez to the county’s 2025 Charter Review Task Force, which began meeting in June.
Dieguez represents District 13 and joins 14 other members, chaired by Asst. County Attorney Dennis A. Kerbel.
They are studying sources of local power through the home rule aspect of the constitution, as well as the county’s power over municipalities, Dieguez said of activities in the first two meetings.
“Members will be able to offer their own potential amendments to the charter,” Dieguez said. “In theory, they could propose that we go back to at large districts, they can reduce the number of county commissioners, expand it, etc. Being that the county charter is our local constitution, that’s what sets up the framework of government.”
The county Charter Review Task Force is formed at least once every five years to review the charter and determine if revisions are needed. Dieguez is an attorney who previously served on a town charter review commission.
Other members include Stephanie Daniels, retired director, Miami P.D.; former North Miami Mayor Andre D. Pierre; former Miami Shores Mayor Crystal Wagar; Miami Beach City Clerk Rafael E. Granado; Rebecca Wakefield, executive vice president, Partnership for Miami; attorney Robert H. Fernandez; Greenberg Traurig attorney Iris Escarra; former County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss; Fla. Rep. Mike Redondo (vice chairman), R-Miami; Fla. Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami; attorney Jose Jimenez; Eric Eikenberg, chief executive officer, The Everglades Foundation and Homestead Mayor Steven D. Losner, the county said.
“From what I’ve gathered in the past … some people want to include an amendment that every unincorporated area has to join a city, essentially taking it off the county’s books,” Dieguez said.
He said he’d “bet against” Miami Lakers wanting to expand the town, to perhaps annex Palm Springs North or Country Club.
“I think a lot of Miami Lakers pride themselves in being a smaller community,” Dieguez said.
Town council members will appoint residents to the next charter review commission later this year; they will work until the November, 2026 election, Dieguez said.