In a move that is sure to be controversial, all five City Commissioners offered their full support to the executive raises doled out by City Manager Rick Fernandez. Despite the fact that the City’s own pay study did not support the larger raises, not one City Commissioner questioned the increases that reached $50,000 for one position. […]
Tallahassee Reports has learned that the substantial raises given by City Manager Rick Fernandez to executive staff has resulted in annual salaries that are significantly higher than salaries for the same position in comparable Florida cities. These findings contradict the assertion by City Manager Rick Fernandez that the substantial increases in salaries were justified based […]
A review of the FY2017 budget proposal by the City of Tallahassee reveals more revenue for the General Fund through an increase in property values, sales taxes and fees. The total new revenue collected in the General Fund is approximately $5.5 million. The budget also calls for approximately $7-9 million in new spending. Local media […]
Tallahassee Reports has learned that Tallahassee’s City Manager, Rick Fernandez, has requested a permit to complete approximately $23,000 in renovations to his fourth floor office located in City Hall. This finding comes amid criticism from a number of groups about the City’s budget process and spending priorities. The permit, #TBB161064, describes the project as “CITY […]
The Citizens for Responsible Spending (CRS) and members of the Budget Hawks made several presentations at Wednesday’s City Commission meeting. The groups are asking the City Commission to roll back the 13% increase in property taxes that was adopted last year. The presentations addressed the rosy outlook presented by City staff weeks earlier at a […]
It appears that the City of Tallahassee is in the business of driving down golf prices in Tallahassee. At the last Tallahassee City Commission meeting, the new City Manager, Rick Fernandez, assured elected officials that the practice of not allowing businesses to participate in City sponsored events because they compete with a City service, would […]
If critics of City Manager Anita Favors Thompson’s $229,000 salary thought a new City Manager would make less, they were wrong. The City Commission is scheduled to vote on the new contract for recently appointed City Manager Rick Fernandez at their next meeting on December 9th, 2015. The recommended salary is $228,000. At the November […]
On the eve of a crucial budget hearing, high level City of Tallahassee officials requested a meeting with police union members (PBA) to seek their public endorsement of the proposed 27% increase in property taxes. Sources tell TR that the PBA, after the meeting, declined to publicly endorse the tax increase, and instead, will remain […]