Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Cutler Bay Mayor & Town Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

9 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Mayor · 1 seat

Robert “B.J.” DuncanCutler Bay Town Council member for Seat 1 since 2018. He directs operations for Florida International University's College of Communication, Architecture and The Arts and chaired the town's Education Advisory Committee before his election.9sourced
Ricardo De Melo GomesLicensed Florida builder who studied architecture in Europe and has lived in Cutler Bay since 2004.4sourced
Suzy LordCutler Bay Town Council member for Seat 2 since 2020. She has worked in the legal community for over 30 years as a paralegal.9sourced
Clint RodriguezCutler Bay resident and University of Miami graduate who has worked as an entrepreneur in tech and entertainment.3sourced

Council Member Seat 1 · 1 seat

Council Member Seat 3 · 1 seat

Three contests are on the ballot: Mayor, Council Seat 1 and Council Seat 3. All are voted town-wide, but Seat 1 and Seat 3 candidates must live in that seat's residential area.

2 notes on these statements

Mayor Tim Meerbott and Council Member Robert “B.J.” Duncan are term-limited and cannot run again for their current seats. Town of Cutler Bay

The Miami Herald candidate guide marked Clint Rodriguez, Ricky Fernandez, James Richie Hawkins and Rene Gomez as awaiting response. Miami Herald

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Michael P. CallahanVice Mayor of Cutler Bay since 2020 and a Council Member for Seat 2 from 2016 to 2020.6sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz6 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesSouthplace and growth, Legacy Park and the municipal complex, Flooding and stormwater Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration deadline

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Southplace and growth

Where it standsThe former Southland Mall site is being redeveloped as Southplace City Center, and the town lists replatting of 98.43 acres as under review.

What's on the tableThe next council will rule on remaining Southplace approvals and other development applications, and on how new growth is paired with roads, transit and drainage.

The Political Cortadito reports the developers describe Southplace as a roughly seven-year, $1.5 billion redevelopment. Political Cortadito · Sep 28, 2026
On Oct. 16, 2024 the council granted final plat approval for Southplace City Center, 5-0 (resolution 24-79). Town of Cutler Bay
On June 17, 2026 the council approved an amendment to the restrictive covenant for 18.52 acres on SW 216 Street, 5-0 (resolution 26-42). Town of Cutler Bay
The Political Cortadito reports the town lists replatting of 98.43 acres of Southplace as under review. Political Cortadito · Sep 28, 2026

Legacy Park and the municipal complex

Where it standsThe town is building a park, new Town Hall and related facilities on a 16-acre site and authorized a bond of up to $17 million in March 2026 to complete it.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee construction, costs and any further borrowing for the project.

The Political Cortadito reports Cutler Bay voters approved up to $37 million in general obligation bonds for the project in 2022, with 66% voting yes. Political Cortadito · Sep 28, 2026
On March 18, 2026 the council adopted an ordinance authorizing a capital improvement revenue bond of up to $17,000,000 to complete Legacy Park and the Municipal Complex, 5-0 (ordinance 26-02). Town of Cutler Bay
On March 18, 2026 the council approved a loan agreement with TD Public Finance LLC for that bond, 5-0 (resolution 26-19). Town of Cutler Bay
The Political Cortadito reports the town named Kaufman Lynn Construction as the builder of a $49.9 million Legacy Park and Municipal Complex project. Political Cortadito · Sep 28, 2026

Flooding and stormwater

Where it standsThe town adopted an updated Stormwater Master Plan in 2024 and began levying a stormwater utility fee on developed property for fiscal year 2025-26.

What's on the tableThe next council will set stormwater fees and choose and fund drainage projects.

On March 20, 2024 the council adopted the updated 2024 Stormwater Master Plan, 5-0 (resolution 24-20). Town of Cutler Bay
On Sept. 11, 2025 the council adopted a resolution levying a stormwater utility fee on developed property for fiscal year 2025-26, 5-0 (resolution 25-60). Town of Cutler Bay
On Sept. 16, 2026 the council authorized an invitation to bid for the Old Cutler Commons UN1 and UN2 sub-basins water quality improvement project, 5-0 (resolution 26-55). Town of Cutler Bay
The Political Cortadito reports the town got nearly 23 inches of rain in seven days in June 2022. Political Cortadito · Sep 28, 2026

State limits on local land-use control

Where it standsThe council voted in September 2025 to join a lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 180's statewide prohibition on exercising home rule authority over land use and zoning.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how the town responds to state limits on local land-use and zoning authority, including the pending lawsuit.

On Sept. 11, 2025 the council adopted a resolution authorizing participation in the Senate Bill 180 lawsuit, 5-0 (resolution 25-61). Town of Cutler Bay
On March 18, 2026 the council adopted a resolution supporting preservation of the Miami-Dade County Urban Development Boundary, 5-0 (resolution 26-15). Town of Cutler Bay

Property taxes and the town budget

Where it standsThe council adopts the millage rate and budget each September; the Fiscal Year 2025-26 final millage rate and budget were adopted Sept. 25, 2025.

What's on the tableThe next council will adopt future budgets and set the millage rate that funds town services.

On Sept. 25, 2025 the council adopted the final millage rate for fiscal year 2025-26, 5-0 (resolution 25-70). Town of Cutler Bay
On Sept. 25, 2025 the council adopted the final operating and capital outlay budget for fiscal year 2025-26, 5-0 (resolution 25-71). Town of Cutler Bay

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. How should Cutler Bay approach new development?
2. What should the town prioritize to move people around?
3. How should the town finish the Legacy Park and Municipal Complex?
4. How should Cutler Bay pay for stormwater and drainage work?
5. How should the town respond to state limits on local land-use authority?
6. What should the town do with its property tax rate?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineTown of Cutler BayOct 5, 2026
Early voting beginsTown of Cutler BayOct 19, 2026
Vote-by-mail ballot request deadlineTown of Cutler BayOct 22, 2026
Early voting endsTown of Cutler BayNov 1, 2026
Election DayTown of Cutler BayNov 3, 2026

The seat math

1 stay (not up this year): Michael P. Callahan3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

Cutler Bay is governed by a five-member Town Council in a council-manager system: the mayor, a vice mayor and three members tied to residential areas (Seats 1, 2 and 3). Town of Cutler Bay
The mayor presides at council meetings and is a voting member of the council. Town of Cutler Bay Charter (November 2024)
The mayor, vice mayor and each council member are elected at large for four-year terms. Town of Cutler Bay Charter (November 2024)
No person may serve more than eight consecutive years as mayor or vice mayor, or more than eight consecutive years on the council. Town of Cutler Bay Charter (November 2024)
The town manager is appointed and removed by a majority vote of the council. Town of Cutler Bay Charter (November 2024)

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →

See something wrong? Report an error

Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.