Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago wants city commissioners — including himself — to take hefty pay cuts or work for just $1 a year, and he’s called a special commission meeting on Tuesday, May 6, at 9 a.m. back in City Hall to make it happen.
The meeting will be the first official session of a new commission following last month’s elections, and it marks a pivotal moment for Lago’s long-blocked agenda. Lago called for the special meeting during the April 25 Induction Ceremony and the mayor is not wasting any time getting to work.
Among the most contentious items slated for first reading is an ordinance to rescind the controversial 101% salary increase and enhanced car allowances approved by the previous commission in 2023. The ordinance, championed by Lago, proposes rolling back the compensation (salary, car allowance and expenses) for the mayor and commissioners to their previous levels – approximately $47,000 for the mayor, $41,000 for the vice mayor and $38,000 for the remaining three commissioners. His alternative is that commissioners work for $1 annually, making being an elected official in Coral Gables essentially a volunteer position. Lago has repeatedly called the original pay hike “unethical,” a view echoed by Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and Commissioner Richard Lara. Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, who initially voted in favor of the raise, has since reversed course in response to public backlash. Commissioner Melissa Castro’s position on the rollback remains unclear, though it is unlikely to change the outcome.
Another major ordinance would move city elections from April to November, beginning with the next cycle in 2026. If approved, this change would cut existing terms (for himself, Castro and Fernandez) short by four months and move runoff elections and swearing-in dates to align with the new schedule. A corresponding resolution calls for a special election to formalize the change and seeks voter approval for this amendment to the City Charter.
Lago did not respond to Gazette queries into whether his actions are intended to punish the two commissioners who have opposed him in the past.
Additional changes up for discussion include:
- Establishing an Inspector General — either by contracting with Miami-Dade County or appointing a city-based alternative — with subpoena power and other oversight functions.
- Requiring a Charter Review Committee every ten years with specified composition guidelines.
- Expanding the existing Charter Review Committee to include two new members, appointed by the city manager and city attorney respectively.
- Codifying a Fund Balance and Reserve Policy that would require a supermajority four-fifths commission vote to spend general fund reserves outside of a declared emergency.
- Public comment shall only be received during the open public comment portion of the agenda, during scheduled public hearings, or when otherwise required by law. Individual speakers shall adhere to a three-minute time limit when speaking on issues scheduled for public hearing.
- A discussion regarding the city manager.
The mayor’s push for swift action has drawn some criticism, with questions raised about whether the special meeting was necessary so soon after the election. Commissioner Fernandez had planned to introduce several of the mayor’s favored items at the next scheduled meeting on May 20 with Fernandez essentially capitulating to the mayor on many of the issues the two butted heads over during the last two years.
However, Lago’s decision to convene the commission earlier suggests a desire to set the tone and momentum for this newly aligned governing body.
With the balance of power shifted, Tuesday’s meeting will signal the beginning of a new era in Coral Gables governance — and all eyes will be on Commissioner Lara to see how closely he aligns with the mayor.
Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff
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I have never had an issue with increasing the salaries, but object into the method used which was very underhanded to get the raises and car allowances. As far as working for $1, a better way would be for the commissioners themselves to say “I will volunteer as a commissioner”, or “donate their salary to a Coral Gables worthy cause that would enhance the lives of others.
As far as the car allowance, pay for the miles used as many in this world get reimbursed for using their personal cars. The alternative, the city would provide the commissioners with a car to drive while serving their term.
And definetely, I would be in favor or the roll back.
A Trabajar por Coral Gables!!!! Jaime /Aida
I suggest that our residents should be more involved in the budget process so they can see how it is done. The raises were done following the procedure and by the way all the elected officials were aware when the budget discussions took place. How come the two who later objected didn’t do so at all the budget hearings, workshops, etc. How come those two didn’t return the money they didn’t want? If in fact their extra money went to charities why have they not disclose what charities and how much? Where is the so called transparency? Is it just a political ploy to smear the ones they consider their enemies and the Mayor publicly threaten to destroy?
It’s asinine to suggest that commissioners work for $1.
If the mayor is so concerned about saving the city money by changing elections to November, that change would trigger a special election in order to formalize the change. How does that make sense???
Worked for 100 years. Leave it alone!
Major Lago does not need the money. He gets more than enough from developers. He should defenitly work for
free!!
I don’t believe in not earning a living wage for these elected positions. No one works for free and if you do, it’s because you’re either wealthy or compensated some other way. So, only the rich would then seek these positions for power. People need to be compensated accordingly so we can have many candidates, not just the wealthy ones.
When someone works for only a dollar a year, it creates an opening for individuals backed by special interest groups—like developers—to run for office and vote in favor of those interests. I’m originally from Mexico, and it’s disheartening to see the U.S. starting to resemble Mexico in the way its politicians operate.