Coral Gables elected officials getting raises of 53% and up
A resolution to remove from Coral Gables’ 2023-2024 budget planned salary increases of 53% or more for five elected officials in order to consider them further was shot down by a 3-2 city commission vote Tuesday.
The resolution was geared to provide an opportunity for commissioners to remove the raises from the budget and to be able to decide whether they become a commission discussion item, a sunshine meeting, an ordinance with first and second readings, or to put them on the ballot, said Rhonda Anderson, Coral Gables’ vice mayor.
“I put together for you what I had learned the different proposals were and an analysis of them because sometimes when you do an analysis of something, we’ll see what the true impact was,” she said, “and historically, we had this issue raised in October of 2022.”
The current proposed salary increases in the budget include going from $44,905 to $69,000 for the mayor; a 53.66% increase. The vice mayor’s salary will go from $39,285 to $67,000; a 70.55% increase, and commissioners’ salaries will jump from $36,488 to $65,000, which is a 78.14 % increase.
Currently, the mayor gets a $6,000 expense allowance and the vice mayor and commissioners get $4,800. The proposed new allowance will go up to $9,600, along with a new car allowance of $8,446 for each. Once all are tallied, the mayor will get 71%, the vice mayor 92.91%, and commissioners 101.34 % increases in salaries and allowances.
“I am not in favor of any salary increase outside of CPI [the Consumer Price Index percentage increase], and that’s a conversation I had with the manager. I said, you don’t need to speak to me any further,” said Mayor Vince Lago. “I don’t need to know anything else in regard to the numbers because I’m not in support of raising my salary.”
“I’m more than willing to have a conversation about it, but this was not my idea,” he continued. “I think that this is something that should be handled on the commission floor. It shouldn’t be handled tucked away in the budget, which is like 250 to 300 pages. I would have done it a little bit differently.
I would have put it on the agenda to have a conversation about compensation. I would have done an analysis of what other municipalities were paying and I would have looked into it.”
“You’re absolutely right we can disagree on this issue,” Commissioner Ariel Fernandez responded to the mayor. “I am in support of the compensation, and I’ll explain why. The last major change in compensation for the commission was in the 1980s, according to [past] Mayor Dorothy Thomson. I had a resident approach me and say, ‘Have you realized that the compensation that you’re asking for is really below a 1% year-over-year from that moment?’”
All five city officials are devoting full-timers to the city commission, he added.
“We are all dedicated to making sure that Coral Gables is functioning at 100%. I think everybody up here has elevated the role of commissioner, vice mayor and mayor in the city of Coral Gables over the last two years. We put in probably 30 hours a week here at City Hall, then we go around the community.”
Commissioners work from resident events to Sunshine meetings or even driving around to see an issue and calling the proper department to make sure that it’s addressed, Mr. Fernandez continued.
“I don’t really have to tell that to you all because you all do it too,” he said. “So, based on the response that I’ve gotten from the community, I don’t think that we’re taking a step in the wrong direction. I think we’re taking a step in the right direction.”
George Montalvan
September 27, 2023 at 4:53 pm
I believe there should be strict limits to any increase in the budget or budget-related items the Commission considers and can approve without sufficient prior public discussion. This should apply to the entire budget and to all salaries, but especially to salaries of members of the City Commission.
Pepi Cancio
September 30, 2023 at 10:52 am
Kinda sad to see that the new elected commissioners first order of business is give themselves a raise in a manner in which they themselves claimed that they were running for transparency.
Magaly Fernandez
September 30, 2023 at 10:55 am
Where can we complain about this?? Can we signed
Maria
September 30, 2023 at 11:08 am
There was a very modest increase in the pay to the Commission in the early 2000s, not the 1980s. That one was a Commission item discussed in the Sunshine. I know this because I was there — Former Commissioner Maria Anderson
Elizabeth
September 30, 2023 at 11:28 am
I disagree with the depicted salary increases as proposed. It is too much of increase all at once and they don’t explain where the money is going to come from. Certainly hoping is not coming from additional taxes to residents.
David yoblick
September 30, 2023 at 2:30 pm
When the candidate ran for office they new what the compensation was. If they thought they were underpaid they should not have not run or at lease said
Something about seeking a increase in the future the issue should have been on a commission agenda and debated openly
Sara
September 30, 2023 at 5:02 pm
We need to pay commissioners a reasonable amount so anyone can take the job, not just the those who don’t need the money like the wealthy or those bought and paid for by developers. The increased amounts are very modest. The commissioners are hardly fleecing the city.
Tharion
September 30, 2023 at 5:59 pm
Shame on them . I will remember this the time I vote. This is greed. Half my social security was taken away because i sold two house I had for 30 years . What is this then these guys get such a greedy raise. Awful!!!!!!
Bob
September 30, 2023 at 10:18 pm
I thought the salary compensation was a joke or typo or just “ fake news”. After talking to the director of finance she did confirm this outrageous money grab.
I jokingly said I bet they have personal parking spaces at city hall she responded yes they do. The problem here is they think they are in private business and deserve this . The co oensation should be 15 k mayor 10 k council period nothing else.
Shame on them. Does anyone know if the city has a recall provision.!If so RECALL these fools now !
Amelia
October 1, 2023 at 9:01 am
Menendez, Fernández and Castro must resign. If not, a recall must be started. Or a Petition to rollback the raises and car allowance must be put on the ballot.
These three are not public servants – they are 100% grifters taking money from Coral Gables residents.
RESIGN NOW
Peter K.
October 1, 2023 at 12:16 pm
I agree with the Mayor and Vice-Mayor’s position. While a pay/benefit increase is not problematic per se,it should not be handled in a manner which creates the appearance of impropriety.
Raise the issue in the Sunshine, on the Commission floor,full disclosure about funding, and public input.
George
October 3, 2023 at 3:39 pm
What a disaster
Jose cancio
October 3, 2023 at 4:23 pm
I agree with Peter, add that they voted agains lowering property taxes but yet gave themselves an increase in a shady way.
David
October 3, 2023 at 4:24 pm
I think action should be taken to turn back the increase, this should be voted on by the citizens and tax payers of Coral Gables. They should investigate the matter and take appropriate action, I can tell one true fact, none of then will receive my future vote and I will make sure everyone one I know in Coral Gables does the same. Its a complete disrespect to voters that put their trust and hard earned money to elect them for them to turn around and stab all of us in the back.
Betty
October 3, 2023 at 5:18 pm
There is another issue: the commissioner ‘s raises were not on the 1st Draft of the Budget. Doesn’t this show malicious intent on part of the 3 commissioners? Is this legal????
We the Tax Payer Must pay for your car, lunch, salary increases not discussed in the Sunshine!!!!
If u don’t want a job don’t apply! If you do don’t be dishonest!!!!
Gables Man
October 4, 2023 at 5:37 am
The bigger question is, why did the City Manager bury this item in the budget and not bring it up for discussion prior to adding it to the budget?
Who requested that the City Manager put this item in the budget?
This issue stinks on many levels and who instigated it should be exposed.
Gloria M
October 5, 2023 at 4:11 pm
This is so disgusting and confirms all the fake declarations of transparency in the government. Corruption and deceit and greed. I am appalled at the sneaky way this was put in the budget. It’s a sham. They are greedy selfish individuals that should be held accountable and removed. Is this even legal ?? We the taxpayers are paying for all this. This needs to be investigated.
Aa
October 19, 2023 at 8:10 pm
Agree with Amelia
I’ll join you you on this one
They are low uneducated, no principals or morals.
Recall or fire them, petitions?