Beach manager Jimmy Morales gets 4-year contract, more money

Beach manager Jimmy Morales gets 4-year contract, more money
  • Sumo

Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales will likely get a four-year contract extension at Wednesday’s meeting and a salary increase to $305,736.

In a move that is largely a rubber stamp vote, Morales — who was hired in 2013 for $255,000 a year — will also get an increase in retirement contribution, from $7,000 to what the IRS allows, an increase in car allowance to $800 a month.

But he may also have to deliver on several beach projects since, for the first time, there seem to be goals and objectives attached.

Read related: Jimmy Morales contract extended at ‘secret’ meeting, raise coming

It’s a rubber stamp move because the city commission already discussed this in secret at a committee of the whole meeting last month. The only commissioner to dissent then was Michael Gongora, who did not like the secretive way the contract extension was pushed.

Why this had to be discussed first at a meeting that has no real public notice and no real public participation, at a meeting in the manager’s conference room rather than the public commission chambers, is beyond anyone’s comprehension. As is why this was added to the agenda at the last minute.

Ricky Arriola, who chairs the finance committee and was charged with negotiating the terms, sponsors the resolution, which was added to the agenda late Tuesday in what seems like yet another attempt to get this passed with as little public input as possible.

The contract comes with a goals and objectives that basically amount to a list of deadlines: the Beach Walk, Lincoln Road renovations and the convention center hotel within three years, city automation and electronic filing of permits within two years, and significant progress on Bay Walk and the North Beach Town Center, among other projects.

Some of the deadlines are in four years — which is at the end of the contract.

11 Responses to "Beach manager Jimmy Morales gets 4-year contract, more money"

  1. Perks. What are all the perks included with the latest “pay and benefits package”? Pray tell.

  2. Ladra, From what you admit was legal you draw the worst conclusions and encourage others to do the same without offering a shred of evidence, so I see no “love’ whatsoever in that approach, what I see is prejudicial blindness. And yes, the process albeit legal is opaque and needs change. Still, you assume that you see dirt in the dark…. I am seeking credible testimony and other evidence of wrongdoing, and to that my eyes are wide open. If you want factual reports on Jimmy’s behavior that would give the average person reasonable suspicion that Jimmy Nice Guy has done something wrong, I will supply information to your gossip column. David

  3. Hmmm,Saul,you must know Jimmy Morales well ?from what I’ve been reading about him and my own personal experience dealing with Miami Dade County people which would include Miami Beach people is that if you’re not connected like you are you can’t get anywhere including finding out how business is done when there is no open transparency. If Ladra is misreporting on his private dealing behind closed doors than you should address that to her not Gustavo.People are fed up with all the public corruption and all the pay to play schemes as well.All you have to do is look at the parents of the students who paid thousands of dollars into Ivy league schools in a fraudulent manner.We know that there is corruption all over Goverment and also how corporation’s give millions of Dollars to all the players connected to Government people .Give me a break !Plus not only corporations but individuals that have money to pay to play as well.Greed is Greed !

  4. ‘Ladra’ According to City Attorney Raul Aguila the meeting of the committee on the whole that you reference in your gossip column as secret and not properly noticed was in fact properly noticed and minutes were kept.

    • Dear David,

      According to common sense, the meeting of the committee of the whole was sorta secretive. There was no reason to discuss the city manager contract at a meeting that is not as easily accessible to the public as a regular commission meeting on an item that was not as widely advertised or noticed.

      By the way, this last agenda addendum was ALSO legally properly noticed, as I am sure Mr. Aguila told you. Doesn’t mean they weren’t playing fast and loose by holding it until the last possible minute.

      Open your eyes wider.

      Love, Ladra

  5. Jimmy Morales, a native Miami Beach boy, has options that would pay him much, much more in the private sector. His projected pay is a fraction of what he could get elsewhere. So any inference that the pay is not warranted, is well, just not warranted.

    He has served the City admirably. Raised on the Beach, he has the historical knowledge of the Beach and its politics an therefore remains in a perfect position to steer the City. He is honest, hard working and a consensus builder.

  6. gustavo Chacon ,
    ” The Swamp and the NWO are all In Miami and the Beaches”

    Lol that was fantastic . My uncle and cousin are into the NWO yet they reelect every self serving , corrupt , useless Miami politico .

    They will of course complain but come election time , they reward corruption and / or unethical behavior .

  7. The Swamp and the NWO are all In Miami and the Beaches This Rotating doors on The Politicians and their Dirt ? Who could stop It ? No MDPD , NO FDLE , Maybe The DOJ ?
    Ethics And OIG are Manipulated By The CAO ?

  8. So if this Political Hack Jimmy Morales does this wage increase for himself with our Tax dollars behind closed doors you can bet he’s doing plenty other shady deals ! So much for the sunshine laws in the state of Florida. Again ,no law enforcement agencies in sight to stop this corruption. Miami Dade County Ethics and public trust knows who this Morales guy is !

  9. $305,000 salary?
    And exactly how much will the taxpayers contribute to his pension? And does he get a Defined Benefit Pension? Will the taxpayers be paying him $20,000 per month in retirement? Perks? List please.

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