HomeMy WebLinkAboutVeto Memo-Mayor Francis SuarezTag
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FRANCIS SUAREZ
MAYOR
3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33133
(305) 250-5300
FAX (305) 854-4001
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TO: Honorable Members of the Miami City Commission -.... w i;.T:
Office of the Mayor
Miami, Florida
Veto and Veto Message
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FROM: , Mayor Francis X. Suarez
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Miami, Florida
Date: October 23, 2024
Pursuant to the authority vested in me under the provisions of Sections 4(g)(5) of the Charter of the
City of Miami, Florida, I hereby veto:
Ordinance 14321/File Number 16177
Veto Message:
As Mayor and a former City Commissioner, I have historically been opposed to a publicly funded
pension system for elected officials. Elected officials' salaries essentially have remained the same
since a new form of government was introduced in 1997. This compensation is by many measures
outdated and it is understandable that some of my colleagues have strong feelings about the need
for reform.
In this intervening veto period, the City Attorney advised me that if I signed the legislation and took
the pension, it would create a vested right that could not be undone by any subsequent
commission action or reconsideration. This would have guaranteed me a benefit of over four million
dollars. As I approach 16 years of public service, I never expected or sought such a benefit, and I do
not believe it is fair for the hardworking, taxpaying residents of this city to bear it.
Additionally, based on recent comments made in the press, there does not currently appear to be a
clear consensus on the Commission that the elected officials' pension as passed on October 15th
should move forward in its present form. That lack of agreement alone provides sufficient basis to
veto the measure.
16177 Veto Memo -Mayor Francis Suarez
For the foregoing reasons, I believe it is in the best interests of Miami's residents that I veto the
elected officials' October 15th pension item.
Respttfully S ,�•mitted,
Francis X. Suarez
Mayor
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