From the City Manager's Desk...

On November 7, 1995, the citizens of Aventura overwhelmingly voted to approve the City's Charter and officially incorporate as Miami-Dade County's twenty-eighth municipality. Incorporation afforded residents the opportunity to improve the quality of government services they receive and take control of the city's destiny. Since incorporation, a great deal of progress has been made to accomplish the goals of incorporation with the creation of our own charter school, Community Recreation Center, Award-Winning Government Center, police force, new and expanded parks and recreation opportunities and citywide beautification projects. Aventura is governed by a commission-manager form of government, combining the political leadership of its elected officials with the executive experience of its City Manager. This structure is vastly different from that of other local governments, emulating the private sector by privatizing services and emphasizing customer service based on the following principles:

• Prompt response to citizen requests.
• One-stop service for permits and business licenses.
• Commitment to public involvement.
• Utilization of "Electronic Government" to provide service and information.
• Commitment to hiring only the most qualified and highly motivated employees.
• Limiting the number of employees by privatizing or contracting with the private sector for many services.
• A professional, businesslike manner at all times.
• An emphasis on quality not quantity.
• A high quality of life for citizens, businesses and visitors.
• A safe and secure environment to live and work.
• Establishing a small number of operating departments that work closely with the community.
• Low taxes.