Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez recently announced a new partnership with Ygrene to strengthen consumer protections, prevent contractor fraud, and promote greater accountability within Property Assessed Clean Energy programs throughout Miami-Dade County.

Through this partnership, the Tax Collector’s Office and Ygrene will work together to improve communication, share information regarding contractor complaints, identify potentially fraudulent or deceptive practices, and ensure that contractors participating in PACE programs comply with all applicable laws, licensing requirements, and consumer-protection standards.

PACE programs allow property owners to finance qualifying improvements, including roofs, impact windows, air-conditioning systems, generators, solar installations, and other energy-efficiency or hurricane-resilience projects. These obligations are generally repaid through a non-ad valorem assessment appearing on the property owner’s annual property-tax bill.

“PACE programs can help homeowners make critical improvements to their properties, but residents must be fully protected from fraud, deception, and abuse,” Fernandez said. “By partnering with Ygrene, we are creating a stronger system to identify bad actors, respond to complaints, and protect the residents of Miami-Dade County.”

The partnership will focus on identifying contractors who use deceptive sales practices, provide inaccurate information, obtain authorization improperly, misrepresent the cost of financing, fail to complete contracted work, or otherwise violate applicable laws and program requirements.

The Tax Collector’s Office also will evaluate every lawful enforcement option available against contractors who commit fraud or repeatedly fail to comply with the law. This includes examining whether a contractor’s Local Business Tax Receipt may be suspended, denied renewal, or revoked when legally authorized and after all required due-process procedures have been followed.

“We are not in the business of closing businesses. We are in the business of opening businesses, supporting responsible entrepreneurs, and helping honest companies succeed,” Fernandez said. “But if you commit fraud against the residents of Miami-Dade County, we will find you, and we will work with the appropriate agencies to hold you accountable.”

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