In a significant move regarding the compensation of county officials, Miami-Dade County’s charter may soon mandate the establishment of a small panel tasked with setting the salaries of county commissioners on an annual basis.
This proposal emerged from a recent meeting held by a task force that is currently reviewing the county’s charter, likened to the county’s constitution.
During the meeting, discussions primarily centered on the commissioners’ current salaries of $6,000 and their eight-year term limits.
Recommendations made by the task force will be forwarded to the county commission, which will ultimately determine their fate—either advancing to the ballot for voter approval or being dismissed outright.
Chairman Dennis A. Kerbel, an attorney with Akerman and a former member of the county attorney’s office, suggested that the charter’s salary and term limit questions might present a political challenge if presented together.
He suggested reaching a consensus on each matter before advising the county commission on prioritizing one option or the other.
The meeting revealed strong sentiments among community leaders about the fairness of the current pay structure.
North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre shared feedback from canvassing efforts, noting that 50 out of 50 registered voters he spoke with found the salary of county commissioners unjust.
They expressed disbelief that county leaders could manage public responsibilities while earning only $6,000 annually for what is effectively a full-time job.
Many citizens were further surprised to learn about the recent increase in additional financial benefits for commissioners, including car allowances and expense accounts, which rose from $60,000 to $138,000 three years ago.
In an effort to address this situation, Mr. Kerbel proposed an alternative salary structure for commissioners starting in 2028.
His plan would allow commissioners to maintain the existing $6,000 salary unless they chose to forgo outside employment in exchange for a more substantial state salary formula set at approximately $123,781.
However, task force member Dennis Moss, a seasoned county commissioner, advocated for creating a salary commission composed of five appointees responsible for evaluating and recommending reasonable salaries based on various factors.
Mr. Moss emphasized that this commission would undertake thorough research and make binding decisions informed by comparisons with other elected officials’ salaries at the state and local levels.
He proposed appointing respected individuals, such as the state attorney, chief judge, head of ethics, and inspector general, to enhance the credibility of the commission.
The commission would convene annually, and any alterations to the commissioners’ salaries would take effect in the subsequent fiscal cycle.
Jose Jimenez, principal of the JMZ group, supported the salary commission idea but recommended placing a cap on wages to ensure fiscal responsibility.
Mr. Moss accepted this adjustment, acknowledging that while salaries should be reasonable, they should also consider the implications of economic trends.
Mr. Jimenez further argued that ambiguity surrounding commissioners’ outside employment – a potentially broad definition – could complicate the payment process.
He stressed that a cap on salary determination would facilitate public acceptance of the idea.
Additionally, Rafael E. Granado, Miami Beach’s city clerk, voiced his support for the commission, advocating that any salary adjustments reflect the total compensation package rather than just base pay alone.
He called for transparency, arguing that it would help win over public opinion regarding salary increases.
Mr. Jimenez also proposed that the committee should ensure additional compensations go through a review process to maintain accountability and transparency.
Mr. Moss concurred, appreciating the suggestion as a way of safeguarding the commission from potential overreach.
The debate over commissioners’ compensation comes at a time when the role has evolved significantly since the charter’s adoption in 1957, which treated the commissioner position as part-time.
Mr. Moss reflected on his lengthy tenure, asserting that the role has grown into a full-time commitment, a change that necessitates a discussion about reasonable salaries for elected officials who impact the community profoundly.
Eric Eikenberg, CEO of the Everglades Foundation, raised concerns about removing the voters’ voice from the salary-setting process.
However, Mr. Moss responded by assuring that the voters’ influence is preserved through their support in establishing a salary commission, noting that its members would uphold standards expected by the community.
Mr. Kerbel reinforced the notion that gaining public support for the creation of a salary commission might be more politically favorable than proposing direct salary increases for commissioners.
Mr. Jimenez noted the challenges past pay increase attempts have faced, suggesting that a well-handled commission could allay public skepticism and foster accountability.
The conversation surrounding the commission’s design and operation is viewed as a strategy to assure voters that their interests are being respected.
Attorney Iris Escarra identified the commission’s flexibility and transparency as elements that create a fair approach to compensation adjustments.
Meanwhile, Crystal Wagar, a former mayor of Miami Shores, expressed her concerns regarding voter influence, yet acknowledged that appointing credible members might bolster public trust in the process.
Initially hesitant about the idea of delegating power away from voters, Mr. Granado adjusted his perspective as discussions evolved, now recognizing the commission as a mechanism to add rigor to salary determinations without significant voter disenfranchisement.
As the task force prepares for the next meeting on October 25, the discussions around commissioner salaries and independent oversight continue to unfold, reflecting both community sentiment and the need for structural reform in Miami-Dade County’s governance.
image source from：miamitodaynews
