FYI Miami: August 14, 2025

NEW TRANSIT APP: Four area transit agencies have linked to launch a mobile app to streamline transit planning and fare payment across South Florida’s major transportation systems. Labeled SoFloGO, the app offers multimodal trip planning, real-time arrival updates, live directions, mobile ticketing and services alerts. Features include alerts when it’s time to leave transit and step-by-step guidance for the entire trip. The app is a partnership of the operator of Tri-Rail plus the Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach transit operations. “This is an important step forward that our partners at the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority are taking to enhance our customers’ experience,” said Stacy Miller, director of the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works. The app is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play.

MILLIONS IN DEBT SAVINGS: A Miami-Dade County bond refunding sold for $239.6 million has generated a debt service saving of $22.88 million – a net present value saving of $17.84 million, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has told commissioners. That results in a true interest cost of 2.98%, her memo said. The bonds were sold by competitive bid to BofA Securities Inc. on July 29. The new bonds paid off bonds issued in 2013 and 2015. Commissioners in June approved the debt swap without discussion. Carladenise Edwards, county chief administrative officer, noted in a memo to commissioners before their vote that the saving estimate was based on market conditions as of April 3 and would save the county 5.03% of the amount of the refunded bonds. The ultimate saving was 6.79%. County policy requires that the saving be at least 5% in order to issue refunding bonds. 

JOBLESS CLAIMS DOWN: The US Department of Labor estimated that 6,129 first-time unemployment claims were filed in Florida, down from 6,347 during the week that ended July 26. Florida has averaged 6,536 claims over the past four weeks. 

FPL RATE CASE PAUSED: State regulators Monday paused a closely watched case about increasing Florida Power & Light’s base electric rates after the utility and numerous parties announced they had reached a “settlement in principle.” Details have not been released, and some parties in the case have not signed on. FPL is expected to file details by Aug. 20, which would lead to the Florida Public Service Commission holding a hearing this fall that would include testimony and arguments about whether the settlement should be approved. New rates could take effect in January.

These are some of the FYIs in this week’s edition. The entire content of this week’s FYIs and Insider sections is available by subscription only. To subscribe click here.