City Manager Rick Fernandez put on the performance of his life last week. And Mayor Gillum and the City Commissioners gave him the equivalent of a “group hug.”
Over the last two weeks, Fernandez has faced criticism in the local media and on the message boards over the 5-digit raises that put some city employees at “breathtaking” levels of annual salaries. However, Fernandez faced no such criticism from the people that hired him a little more than a year ago.
But do not think for a minute this meeting was ever going to be a true question and answer session over a controversial issue. No, this theatrical production was scripted and planned in separate, private meetings between the Commissioners and Mr.Fernandez.
In his presentation, Fernandez disarmed the Commissioners by apologizing for the roll out of raises, not the substance, and then the Commissioners had their say.
The love-fest began with City Commissioner Scott Maddox, who had only days before told the Tallahassee Democrat editorial board he did not agree with the raises and would ask questions at the meeting – he failed to do so. Instead, he said Fernandez gave the raises “based on good information.”
City Commissioner Curtis Richardson, after the City Manager’s presentation, exclaimed “this is good stuff.”
In fact, not one Commissioner asked a probing question. The Commissioners accepted as fact everything the City Manager said, despite obvious inconsistencies.
For example, Fernandez admitted what TR reported last week, the City’s own pay study did not support the $175,000 salary for three assistant City Managers. Despite the numbers, Fernandez told the Commissioners that he gave out the high annual salaries to maintain “organizational equity.”
And the Commissioners offered no resistance.
City Commissioner Ziffer declined any inquiry and stated, “some of our folks were not quite at the level they should have been.”
Commissioner Nancy Miller, who has family on the City’s payroll, provided an incoherent comment that generated laughter among those who understood the insider reference.
Mayor Andrew Gillum said “I support you 1000%!”
In addition to the organizational equity argument, Fernandez talked about the 10 management positions that were “eliminated” and saved $900,000 as support for his decision.
However, earlier reports indicate only four positions were eliminated. Were some of those positions just shifted to other city government jobs? The question was never asked.
Ultimately, this kind of performance – no questions, no concerns – highlights the fact that the City elected officials do not represent the interests of ordinary citizens and have no desire to question the bureaucracy, known as “City staff.”
TR will spend the coming months investigating why City Commissioners so often side with “City staff.”
Stewart’s Blog: Big Raises and the Group Hug at City Hall added by Staff on
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Steve Burkett was hired as the City Manager after Dan Kleman.
Steve, you did an excellent job of undressing these bafoons, who call themselves “commissioners”, especially that blow-hard, Curtis Richardson.
Have these corrupt squirrels offered to return the $20,000 delayed compensation they swindled the taxpayers out of?
No.
BTW, the commissioners are afraid to fire Fernandez because in 1994 they fired Dan Kleman and hired (sorry, I can’t remember his name) who came in and was managing the City as it should be run, the Commissioners couldn’t deal with that kind of integrity, and fired him after less than a year on the job. That’s how we got stuck with Anita Johnson Bellows Smith Keiger Washington Thompson Favors and now we are stuck with her clone, Rick Fernandez.
The commissioners realized they screwed in firing Kleman, so to soothe their collective conscience, they named a downtown plaza after him.
The next two election cycles I am voting against the incumbents in the hope of electing individuals who will think about the good of the community rather than themselves.
Of course the Commissioners aren’t going to criticize someone whom they appointed. That would open the door for others to criticize the appointment of the City Manager and ultimately the decision (a significant appointment and decision) of this Commission. Don’t kid yourself and expect this Commission to acknowledge any wrongdoing of its own (or its family of appointees).
The first few changes were admirable, then the firing of two long time employees was troublesome, and rumors of the hiring of a relative.
Were the raises a well thought out planned event or a greedy self serving robbing of the citizens treasury?
If a credible exercise then, kudos. If not, then perhaps a nationwide search for a new manager is in order.
Citizens have a chance to have their input at the polls soon.
Who is the relative??
Late to the party, but it is her husband. He’s been in the water utility for probably more than 20 years…..long before she was elected.
I wonder how many protective plates capable of stopping rifle rounds could have been purchased for the Police with just the raise given to the new ACM over the Police Department Ms. Barber?
There is not one commissioner that should be reelected. It is obvious they are not in charge!