Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly included several initiatives not found in Mayor Vince Lago’s official 2025–2027 Strategic Priorities Plan. While some of these topics have been discussed in past commission meetings or other planning contexts, they do not appear in the published Strategic Priorities Plan currently under commission review. The Gazette regrets the error. We have reviewed the official document in full and are publishing a corrected article that reflects only those items verifiably included in the plan. We are also reviewing our editorial workflow to ensure greater alignment between source documents and published content going forward. For transparency, a copy of the mayor’s official plan can be accessed via the City of Coral Gables here.
By Coral Gables Gazette staff
The Coral Gables City Commission on Thursday will consider whether to formally adopt Mayor Vince Lago’s 2025–2027 Strategic Priorities Plan, a document outlining his vision for the city over the next two fiscal years. The 11-page plan identifies eight broad priorities, ranging from environmental stewardship and mobility to ethics reform and civic engagement.
If approved, this would be the first time since 2021 that the Commission formally adopts a strategic priorities plan sponsored by the mayor. The resolution is intended to align city departments, budgeting processes, and policy initiatives with the mayor’s stated goals through the end of his current term.
Eight priority areas shape the document
Rather than organizing projects into departments or issue silos, Lago’s plan is structured around eight thematic priorities:
- Transparency & Ethical Conduct
- Accountability & Customer Service
- Community Outreach
- Enhance Quality of Life
- Environmental Stewardship
- Beautification, Historic Preservation & Responsible Development
- A Safe and Healthy City
- Trailblazing with Technology
Each section includes a mix of prior accomplishments and next steps for 2025–2027. The plan does not create new policy or allocate funding but serves as a roadmap for administrative alignment and public accountability.
Transparency, ballot reforms and oversight
Under “Transparency & Ethical Conduct,” Lago proposes a ballot question in April 2026 to create a city Inspector General office focused on oversight of public spending. He also calls for increased financial disclosures, long-term budget forecasting, and posting mayoral memos and expenditures online. Other proposed charter amendments would require voter approval before altering elected officials’ compensation or accessing city reserve funds.
Ethics reforms include continuing the prohibition on commissioners serving as campaign consultants and stricter lobbying disclosures.
Mobility, green space and quality of life
Lago’s quality-of-life section focuses on mobility upgrades, improved parks access, and strengthened ties with schools and businesses. Highlights include:
- Expanded trolley service (including Saturdays and new routes)
- ADA upgrades to trolley stops
- Implementation of sidewalks and crosswalks near Coral Gables High School
- Completion of Parking Garage 7 and Mobility Hub at Garage 1
- Traffic calming with resident engagement and speed studies
- Goal: Every resident within a 10-minute walk of a park
- Improved kayak and paddleboard access to waterways (under staff review)
- Public art also gets attention. The mayor proposes updating the Art in Public Places Program to operate more efficiently and encourages acquisition of “world-class art” to foster cultural vibrancy.
Environmental stewardship and carbon reduction
The plan includes an expansive section on environmental sustainability, though it stops short of major infrastructure commitments. Core goals include:
- Septic-to-sewer conversion planning (survey and financing strategy)
- Plastic reduction: bans on Styrofoam, plastic straws, and single-use bags
- Expansion of recycling programs (including NexTrex and electronics drop-offs)
- Educational campaigns for swale care and sustainable upgrades
- Transition to EVs and solar-friendly zoning updates
- Creation of a 5-year goal for solar home adoption
The plan proposes no new LEED mandates for buildings and does not include tree inventory completion or composting initiatives—contrary to prior reporting.
Beautification and historic preservation
The section on beautification and development includes:
- Undergrounding utility lines (FPL, telecom)
- Review of signage and gateway locations
- Enforcement of construction noise/code rules
- Concierge-style assistance for owners of historic homes
- Reevaluation of the Mediterranean Bonus Program
- Restoration of City Hall, Venetian Pool, Whiteway streetlights, and the Gondola Building
Rather than proposing new housing programs or zoning studies, the mayor calls for stronger coordination with county zoning (RTZ) sites to “protect the city’s interests.”
Public safety and technology
The “Safe and Healthy City” section highlights completed investments: Fire Stations No. 2 and No. 4, the Public Safety Building, and use of Smart City Poles and Everbridge alerts. Lago also proposes new rules for e-scooters and e-bikes, and collaboration with Miami-Dade on policing and bridge safety.
In technology, the mayor introduces two ambitious feasibility studies:
- Accepting cryptocurrency payments for city services
- Partnering to launch a telecommunications satellite for backup internet and space research
Oversight, accountability and context
The plan emphasizes mechanisms for follow-up and public engagement. The mayor proposes:
- Biannual town halls
- A resident survey and customer service report
- Creation of a Building Permit Advisory Committee
- Tracking environmental goals through an online dashboard
- Continued use of the Mayor’s Citizens Advisory Council to monitor progress
While many initiatives are already underway, adoption by the commission would tie the document more directly to department work plans and future budget alignment.
This Post Has 8 Comments
The question I have had his office began developing the plans is this: what truly governs the city?
On one hand, we have the City’s Strategic Plan which is adopted by ordinance, tied directly to the budget, and theoretically meant to guide decision-making and resource allocation. On the other hand, we have Lago’s office plan which is adopted by resolution, aspirational in tone, but with no funding mechanism attached. In fact, why does he need any resolution passed at all? It’s a great internal document – I think this is for show – to give impression of strong Mayor.
Strategic plans can be worthy endeavors. They set direction, clarify priorities, and offer benchmarks for progress. When two competing plans exist, one with the force of law and money behind it, and another with political momentum but no budget, what happens? Which one drives the choices city staff makes?
This tension isn’t just procedural. It matters in practice. If the city operates under competing blueprints, accountability becomes murky. The risk is that neither plan truly governs, leaving residents to wonder whether priorities are being set by policy, politics, or personality.
Until the question is clarified — ordinance or resolution, budgeted plan or unfunded vision — we are left with uncertainty about what guides the city’s path forward.
I don’t see anything about preparing for water rise levels and storm surges.
I’m told 300 homes are on canals with bridges too low for boats to traverse and will thus will reduce property values of these home owners.
Last week I couldn’t park and see my doctor at 475 Biltmore Way, just across from City Hall.
The roads need some work (street signs are moldy/in bad condition/out of place/chipped and cracked), road lines need re-painting in many places, road surfaces are in bad condition, for e.g. the stretch just past City Hall as you approach the hideous fountain (Segovia) circle has been ragged for like a decade now.
In addition to the comment from Helen Gaynell many main roads need resurface like Ponce de Leon, I thought that after the constructions between 8 st and Alhambra the road was going to be fix but I see it was only mended in certain areas, that is not acceptable for such a transit and important road.
I would like to see more services for South Gables. We pay the same taxes as the people in North Gables. I would use the freebee as I have severe arthritis and parking in the Gables is almost impossible There was a survey several years ago mentioning if anyone in this area would be interested in some of these services.. I look at it like this, why a survey if I want any of these services I pay for them like every Gables resident.
Thank You
At the December 12, 2023 City Commission Meeting, the Coral Gables School Community Relations Committee presented a Resolution—passed unanimously (5-0)—requesting a statistically valid survey of residents about education and the inclusion of education in the 2026–2029 Strategic Plan.
Despite this clear directive, education is notably absent from the current strategic priorities, and no such survey appears to have been conducted. The Mayor’s plan includes only one concrete item related to schools: pedestrian and traffic safety improvements around Coral Gables High School. While helpful, this is a narrow focus.
Other references to education—such as partnering with public schools and reviewing the Hopkins/Cooper Scholarship Program—are vague and lack measurable actions or financial commitments.
With ongoing state-level budget constraints and a growing teacher shortage, it is more important than ever for Coral Gables to support its schools proactively. Other cities like Miami Beach and Pinecrest provide practical and financial assistance to help sustain strong local education systems.
Small, well-supported public schools are known to strengthen communities. They foster close-knit neighborhoods, support local identity, attract families and businesses, and raise property values. In a city like Coral Gables, where quality of life is a core value, supporting education should be a clear strategic priority—not an afterthought.
what concerned parent said!
I would not support anything Lago proposes. It is what he wants, not the citizens of this city. Of course his plan will pass. Anderson and Lara are in his pocket and bow down to the boss.