In the wake of the general election and runoff, Coral Gables Commissioner Ariel Fernandez says he has heard the public and has announced a series of sweeping proposals that mark a departure from positions he once held. Fernandez, who took office in 2023 and was part of a three-member majority that voted to increase commission compensation, now calls for the reversal of those changes. Similarly, his past opposition to moving municipal elections from April to November has evolved, and he now wants the voters to have a say in that decision. Fernandez is advocating for the creation of an Office of Inspector General.
Commission Compensation: Reverse 2023 raises
Fernandez’s shift in position is particularly notable considering his previous opposition to key issues. Commission compensation, municipal election dates, and the creation of an Inspector General are now central to his agenda.
Fernandez is reversing his previous opposition to moving elections to November as he’s introduced a proposal to place a charter amendment on the ballot asking voters if they support the change. Additionally, Fernandez’s support for an Inspector General’s office, signals growing voter desire for government accountability and transparency.
The commissioner has acknowledged the need to adapt and listen to the city’s evolving political climate, saying, “I’ve heard you, and now we must put politics aside and work together for the good of Coral Gables.” His proposals reflect a recalibration of his political priorities, and it’s clear that he intends to embrace certain reforms that have gained increasing public support. Fernandez’s proposals focus on key policy shifts. The following proposal could significantly affect both city operations and taxpayer finances.
Lowering Taxes: Fiscal responsibility, economic relief
Fernandez plans to introduce a series of tax reduction initiatives, beginning with a resolution that directs the City Manager to submit the municipal budget to the Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) for a comprehensive review. The goal of this review is to identify areas of government waste that could be cut, enabling the city to streamline its operations and reduce unnecessary spending. This move reflects Fernandez’s commitment to fiscal discipline and a resident-focused approach to governance.
Additionally, Fernandez is calling for the elimination of the $550 garbage fee, which has long been a point of contention among residents, and Fernandez’s push for its removal signals his understanding of the public’s desire for reduced taxes and more efficient government spending.
Fernandez also is advocating for a 1-2% reduction in the millage rate for the FY24-25 budget. This tax cut proposal, which will be discussed before the budget workshop in July, is aimed at providing immediate financial relief to residents and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently. These initiatives reflect Fernandez’s commitment to reducing the financial burden on local families and individuals while maintaining the quality of city services.
Hiring/Firing of City manager, attorney and clerk: Super majority
Another significant aspect of Fernandez’s agenda is his push to reform the process by which the commission hires and fires the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk. Fernandez wants to introduce a resolution that would establish a formalized process for these key positions. Under his proposal, the hiring and firing of these positions would require a national search to ensure that the most qualified individuals are chosen for these critical roles.
To ensure greater accountability and prevent any undue influence, Fernandez is advocating for a 4/5th majority vote by the City Commission for their hiring or firing. This supermajority requirement ensures that the decision is not made unilaterally by a simple majority, but rather reflects broad support across the commission. Additionally, Fernandez’s proposal sets a formal timeline for the hiring process, ensuring that the city does not operate in a prolonged state of uncertainty when vacancies occur in these important offices.
New political dynamics
Fernandez’s agenda also raises questions about the evolving political dynamics within the City Commission. Historically, he has been at odds with Mayor Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, especially on issues like municipal elections and commission compensation. However, with these new proposals, Fernandez may be signaling a willingness to work with his political foes on certain issues, particularly when it comes to fiscal responsibility and government accountability.
Despite his previous stance on many of these issues, Fernandez says his goal is to build a “Residents First” government that reflects the priorities and needs of the local community, not political interests.
This Post Has 17 Comments
Residents beware. Ariel, the champion of self approved compensation, no due process firing, hiring of cronies on the spot, absolute power with 3 votes in the commission; now he is the champion of exactly the opposite. The reason ? He is listening to the residents.
Well, he had 2 years as a Commissioner to hear us. But instead, he chose to scream and to bully to his fellow commissioners, enabled by the 3 votes majority given by his cronies. Ariel’s time to be ‘resident first’ is past due. His time was when he was in control. Now, it is time for those who has been always ‘resident first’ to lead the commission.
Guess who’s worried about his reelection in two years. To paraphase that old Starfish Tuna commerical “Sorry Ariel.”
he is a liar and opportunist who saw he is now in trouble and wants to milk the cow to keep job
Money buys elections -looking forward to the annexation of Little Gables, more traffic clogging high rises in the Crafts Section, Downtown, and North Gables–Brickell here we come. Would love to see the net worth of our elected candidates and in their immediate family including siblings when they take office and when they leave office-looks like the ghost of Miami Dade County Mayor Clark is back-for those old enough to remember-these elected positions should have zero compensation because the developer goody bag is now open-and who said Coral Gables is not for sale- more like Corrupt Gables.
How about a cut in your salary and car allowance????????
I would add the word hypocrite!! For the last 2 years he ignored good governance protocol ( think pay raises and city manager search/hiring) and brazenly bullied the Commission. Now he professes to have “heard” the voters so he does a 180, abandoning his previous positions like the proverbial hot potatoes! The reality is that his previous positions are untenable and he is worried about keeping his position in the future!
This is really insulting, Mr. Fernandez. You were perfectly happy riding roughshod over a large percentage of residents when you had the votes. Now that you don’t, you seek to claw your way back to relevancy by changing rules on certain issues (supermajorities on certain appointments and voter input on certain items), making populist appeals (eliminate garbage fees), and reversing some of your foot-in-mouth positions (commission compensation and perks), while also ceding local control over our budget to the state to further bureaucratize local government (DOGE ironically is “bureaucracy”). Typical politics by an amateur hack who failed to learn that perception trumps truth. You are what we think you are, not what you claim to be.
As a member of what seems like a shrinking centrist population, I really hope ALL FIVE OF YOU work together for the benefit of our city, our home. If the mayor cannot behave, if Mr. Lara acts the part of bootlick, and if Ms. Anderson does not play her new role of swing vote well, their comeuppances will come in due time. The thrill of victory often causes the victors to overplay their hand, and they end up getting spanked by voters. You, Ms. Castro and Mr. Menendez learned that this time around. The five of you would do well to learn from that lesson, get your acts together and work for all residents, employees and the city as a whole.
This is interesting Commissioner Fernandez. When the commissioners were running for office. I was in on the Zoom. I heard one candidate state that there was a memo from the office of Governor Ron DeSantis and that he wanted to Dodge the City of Coral Gables, as I recall one candidate stated he felt this was not necessary, but also he had not seen the memo. Now all of a sudden you want to do this. Did the memo finally surface ? I encourage the residents of Coral Gables that if you are in favor of Dodge please email the office of Governor Ron DeSantis at Flgov.com/eog. Go to the bottom of the page where it says contact us.
I was also at the meeting when they were raising the cost of some guard gates in Coral Gables. Reason given was the rates had not been raised in Coral Gables and it was necessary to dip into their reserve. The next day the 3 commissioners (including you!) gave themselves a 101% raise.
Sorry DOGE
Wow, the posted comments illustrate you are “damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”
The three newly elected all harped endlessly on these issues during their campaigns, and given the results of the election it would be assumed that what Commissioner Fernandez has asked to be put on the agenda is what the voters want. Now, because Commissioner Fernandez is listening to the residents (in the only election that has taken place after all those issues occurred), and he’s addressing exactly what the majority of the voters and the 3 newly elected have indicated are the crucial problems in our city, he’s being criticized.
Instead of really accepting his positive message of putting politics aside and working together for the good of the city, the hateful comments make it obvious that some residents refuse to accept those good intentions, no matter what.
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
He DIDN’T when he could. It’s political suicide to reverse your positions (literally all of them!) when your back is against the wall. Are you telling us this is a sudden aberration that came about the last 3 days? Are you insinuating that no one voiced their opinion about these topics before April 23rd? Give me a break. I’ll sell you some land in Mars if you believe this guy. He dug his own grave for 2 years. There is no “lifeline” now.
He dug his own grave for the past 2 years. There is no “lifeline” now. FUERA!!!!
Yes, Lynn. Mr. Fernandez wasn’t so conciliatory when in the majority. Now he just wants to remain relevant and protect his seat. I like him and he brings balance to the commission. That said, he’s clearly trying to save his butt in 2027.
So now Ariel you hear the residents after 2 years of pushing your personal agenda of auto-increasing your salary? This is simple back-peddling because it’s a clear sign you made a terrible dictatorial decision, and you underestimated the power of the residents. Only because you lost you are listening to those you say you represent… Shame on you, you are just immoral.
Wow! Could not find a better example for “two-faced, deceitful, janus” than Ariel F. I suppose he’s already starting his re-election campaign and with Kirk out of the way, the mayoral seat is on his cross-hairs. May God protect our City!
Ariel F. is and has been a disgrace for our city. We will all remember to vote against him at the time of his future reelection. What a hipocrite!!
Martin P.
So if writers have a difference of opinion with another one of the authors of a letter, that author immediately labels their comments as “hateful”. That’s disappointing and inappropriate.
As to the substance of that letter, if an elected official has a deeply held belief that his positions are correct, why not stick to and continue to fight for them. What Fernandez has done here is held his finger up to the political winds and immediately abandoned those previous positions. This is not being convinced, after careful reflection, that those positions were wrong, but rather a bald faced attempt to curry favor with the citizens and save his future position on the commission.
This is not high mindedness, but rather political opportunism, which the author of that letter clearly missed.