On the same day, in the same meeting, in the same room where the Miami-Dade Commission voted Tuesday to keep
taking 5% from 25,000 or so county employees contributing to a group healthcare subsidy fund that they were promised would end in January, the county gave $3 million away to NCL Cruise Lines.
All while Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez says “we have to roll up our sleeves,” and Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa says “everybody has to make a sacrifice.”
Guess she doesn’t really mean everybody.
Not her staff, which got a 3% raise this year.
And not billion-dollar industry giants like NCL Cruises, for whom Sosa actually sponsored the resolution to give $3 million in “marketing incentive payments” for them to increase the number of passengers it brings to Miami-Dade, which it will inevitably do anyway.
Really? Really?
Are we in the business of providing “marketing incentive payments” to local businesses for doing what they should do anyway for their own success?
Or is that a kickback for contributions? Is that a payoff? What the hell is that? Because it makes no sense.
In this gloom and doom scenario the mayor keeps painting where the sky will fall if he has to find $56 million in his obviously bloated $4.4 billion budget — “the County’s expenses are rising faster than its recovery,” he said at the impasse hearing Dec. 5 — can we afford to give $3 million to a profitable cruise company so that they are encouraged to sell more tickets?
Really?
That $3 million would almost take care of the 1,800 employees in the county Water and Sewer Department, which, by the way, is a money-making department that should be able to sustain this cost if the county weren’t using it’s funds to subsidize other things.
Are there more “marketing incentive payments” and could they, possibly, add up to $56 million? I asked the mayor’s office and was referred to the Port of Miami spokeswoman. Do we only give away these “marketing incentives” at the port?
Many of us believe that there is money hidden here and there in the budget. These “marketing incentive payments” (no matter how many times I say it, it still don’t sound right) are not the only waste, says Emilio Azoy, president of the AFSCME local that represents the WASA workers.
His department alone, he says, has spent at least $410 million on consultants since 2007, much of it “on projects that will never be built.” During the same five year span, the department’s engineering staff has reduced by almost half, from 112 to 66 employees.
Really? That is yet to be confirmed — and Ladra has asked for some details from the county staff. But how many times has the commission approved “studies,” for example, that ended up on the shelf or having to be “re-studied” years later when things change?
Azoy cites a recent audit of a professional agreement with Hayzen & Sawyer Professional Service which criticized, among other things, a $1.8 million expenditure for 29,605 hours of “non professional” secretarial and clerical services, averaging at about $62 an hour, after applying a 2.85 multiplier reserved for “professional skills.”
So, at the same time as the county is trying to, rightfully perhaps, do away with “multipliers” among its own workers, this administration seems to embrace them when paying outside vendors, which may or may not be campaign contributors.
“The ‘Summary of Questionable Charges’ on this Agreement alone was $3,538,682, which exceeds the amount necessary for the return of this unit’s health insurance contribution for the fiscal year,” Azoy said in a letter to Gimenez Dec. 14, after he heard of the veto the day before.
The union leader also says that the audit he mentioned above cited the department’s failure to use its multi-million dollar Project Control and Tracking System to monitor, track and record project expenditures, including consultants fees.
Really? Does that smack of the transparency you promised, Mr. Mayor?
No, it does not.
Ladra has also asked the mayor’s office about this tracking system and why it is not working, if that is the case. I was referred to the Water and Sewer Department and will get the answer to you as soon as I get it.
But there is something wrong with this shell game presented as a normal budget by this administration. And Azoy said he is going to ask the Inspector General to investigate some of these “wasteful practices” and seemingly bogus consultant contracts that he says is where the money is being diverted.
Because he has brought these issues to the attention of the mayor during the negotiations, and all the suggestions the union has identified for savings have fallen on deaf ears.
It’s not that the mayor doesn’t want to give back the workers’ 5% — which, by the way, is on top of 11% in other concessions they have been making since 2009. It’s that he doesn’t want to take money away from all the consultants and “professional services” to do it.
Oooohhh. Now I get it.
So do the employees. And you know where.
Budget score: County labor 0, NCL/consultants $413 million+ added by Ladra on
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[…] addition to the $3 million commissioners approved (in consent agenda, no less) for the cruise company earlier this month, dozens of airlines have received at least $4.3 million in incentives, including […]
[…] has reduced the library millage rate, creating an artificial fiscal crisis. Meanwhile, as noted by Elaine de Valle (“a.k.a. ‘Ladra’”), a former Miami Herald reporter, writing in a […]
The budget for updating the MDPLS collection in 2013-14 is $800,000. This meager amount is because Mayor Gimenez set the budget so low that there is not enough money to keep the library able to meet the needs of our community. To compare, Broward and Hillsborough Counties each budget over $5 million for purchasing new books, magazines, databases, special collections, digitizing, downloadables, etc. A glaring example of this pathetic budget is the amount allotted to the five MDPLS Regional Libraries for the purchase of new adult fiction. Those five busy locations each have $350.00 for the year. The average cost of one adult hardback book is $27.00.
So we, the residents of Miami-Dade, get no collective IPads, no Kindles, no updated software on existing computers, no Photoshop, no touch screens, no SMART – science, math and reading tutoring program (cancelled in 2011 when Mayor Gimenez slashed the millage in half.)
From the 12/9/2013 Miami Herald “Improving Miami-Dade’s literacy rate would seem to be a difficult task. A 2003 study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that more than half of adults in Miami-Dade — 52 percent —struggled to complete basic skills like reading a menu or a bus schedule. In comparison, the rate in Broward was 22 percent and statewide, it was 20 percent.”
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/09/3808599/miami-dade-community-leaders-fight.html#storylink=cpy
So, imagine what $3 million would buy for you the public to use, if the library were allotted the money and not NCL?
And here’s another thought, why NCL and not Carnival? Carnival should be next in line for $3 million. That meeting will bring a “carnival” atmosphere at County Hall!
So, if you’re discontent with the older collection at the library, and the fact that newspapers and career databases are being dropped, try booking a vacation on an outbound cruise and you may find these thing onboard for use during your vacay.
It is sad. The incompetence starts at the top. A department with 2 directors, 5 assistants to the mayor, consultants charging the County for every thing, and the 13 pretending they care. This is socialism, give away the taxpayer money to all non for profits so they vote for the individual who gave them money when election time comes. You apply for a job, and they never call you for an interview because the job had a name before it was advertised. There is no division of power, they really know how the commission will vote before in any subject before the vote takes place. It is sad, but we better start calling the FEDS will every bit of proof we can collect. We need to vote to pay commissioners a very decent wage so people who are intelligent and able can come and do the job and protect us against thieves like the ones who wear ties and speak nicely, but do something different.
This is highway robbery at its best! It’s time to recall the mayor and all the commissioners who turned there backs on counton county employees.
I am not a county employee nor would I choose to be. I am married to one though. I have been involved in military, federal, county and city governments for the past 45 years. While none of these have been totally honest this county appears to be a standout in dishonesty and disloyalty.
First, the “mayor” claims he took almost a 50% pay cut. While the percentage is somewhat correct, he actually went from approximately $7,000 to $160,000, instead of around $240,000 the previously fired “mayor” was making. Notice I said making, not earning.
Second, the employees are paying this 5% for medical? If the employee has medical coverage through a spouse or partner they are still required to pay the 5% in addition to the 11% already being “donated” to the county coffers. For what? Medical coverage? NOT!
Third, his honor(?) must not be proud to be associated with county employees. NUMEROUS times, employees have greeted the mayor in his palace, oops, Government Center only to be totally ignored. I assume he may have issue facing the people he is hurting so badly.
Fourth, robbing Peter (the employees and citizens) to pay Paul (profitable companies) under the guise of bringing business to Miami Dade is despicable. It may or may not be illegal but it is definitely immoral. Previously people have mentioned fraud and extortion. These are strong charges and difficult to prove. Having said that, a dedicated investigator should attempt to dig through the piles of evidence. By the way, county employees are required to take a course in ethics. Are the politicians?
Fifth, mention was made of the restructuring of the county staff. No mention has been made of the actual cost, estimate in the millions, to do this. Cost including monies spent for mundane things such as letterhead, business card and relocation of staff, offices, furniture and equipment. Cost incurred by loss of productivity of the employees during moves and continual difficulties trying to work through the ever higher levels of management.
Sixth, no mention was made of staff retiring or terminating employment in the calculations used to “prove” the shortfalls in the budget. I assume that lapse of memory was similar to the reason no mention was made of the payouts (payoffs?) to the companies mention previously. During my college education many years ago I was told statistics can be made to prove or disprove anything. In short statistics lie. Hmm, could that be why the mayor and his staff use them so easily?
Last, and definitely not least, citizens have said that county employees are overpaid anyway. While that may be true for senior management, it is not where the rank and file is concerned. They are, for the most part, dedicated to providing services to the citizens of the county, as most of them reside in Miami Dade. They are, by all studies, under paid. Some of this is made up in retirement and used to be compensated by the benefits. This is no longer the case. Can the employees leave public service? Sure, but after giving years of service and the economy as it is, that probably would not be an option.
Sorry to be so long but this had to be said.
County employees take in the shorts for how many years now? and payments to contractors I bet are increasing every year. Tell me, if WASA paid out $413 MILLION, how much does the Airport, the Seaport, Transit and the like pay to contractors?
I bet it will be staggering.
Check out the transportation “studies” some which are awarded to pre-approved vendors without bids. Pre-approved vendors should be interpreted as political campaign donors.
http://www.miamidade.gov/mpo/studies/m13-studies-completed.htm
I haven’t seen any improvements in traffic resulting from any of these studies. The citizen overview committees are nothing but a farce. Everything is decided beforehand and citizen’s input is just ignored. I have been present at a few of these committee meetings.
[…] telling voters they will have to pay higher taxes or face severe library cutbacks. Meanwhile, as noted by Elaine de Valle (“a.k.a. ‘Ladra’”), a former Miami Herald reporter, writing in a […]
Corruption and greed is afoot. The Mayor and his band of thieves have unwittingly drawn attention to themselves in a way that will surely be their demise. The truth is starting to unravel and I employ the union to seek legal action. And hopefully outside entities will launch investigations into this gross missapropriation of county funds.
We have seen several Mayors arrested and ran out of office this year. I smell another rat. If I were a Dade County Commissioner I would stay away from the cheese. It’s starting to smell.
CORRUPTION AND ROBBERY IN DISGUISE, WE ARREST PEOPLE FOR A LOT LESS. WHERE IS THE ETHICAL DEPT, HOW CAN OFFICIALS GET AWAY WITH THIS CONDUCT, WHERE IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY. GREAT INFO. MORE PEOPLE SHOULD COME FORWARD AND REPORT THESE CRIMES.THIS IS A VIRUS FROM PRIVATE SPECIAL INTERESTS INVOLVING GOVERNMENT WEAK OFFICIALS.WE SHOULD MAKE THIS A REAL WEB SITE TO REPORT CORRUPTION. MY DEPARTMENT DISCIPLINES ME FOR NOT HAVING MY NAME TAG TO SAY THE LEAST….
This mayor thinks that the employees of dade county are not citizens, or home owners or tax payers. He stated in the herald article that he hears the commissioners concern to get this impasse corrected but he doesn’t say that he hear the citizen/employees/taxpayer. He apparently views employees as slave labor subjected to reduction in salary at the discretion of budgetary manipulation. He also has no plans, long term or short term to end the employee give backs. Additionally the citizens should reort bac later to a managerial system again because this mayor shows the inefficient and egotistical and stubborn attitude of one person who has failed time and time again to cooperate with union personnel to faily end such unnecessary taxing of its employees.
Wonderful job… Eliminated 25 departments but continues to need our money to balance the budget on our backs. While the stock market is rocketing, tourism is thriving, housing market is improving, and unemployment is going down, he keeps taking 5% of our salaries and all the furlough days just because of his inability to manage Miami-Dade County. Oh I forgot, we don’t “need” a county manager anymore.
You just nailed it.
And how much longer does the mayor believe he can get away with this?
Well, he only has the remainder of this term, I guess.
Yes he eliminated the departments, but not a single person was laid off or got reclassified. All the people who were in those eliminated departments just moved to a different one. Now the remaining departments have double the managers in an already manager heavy system. So this “streamlining” actually cost instead of saved money. If people were to get laid off, you’d think it would be the superfluous directors and assistant diretors, but no, that’s not the way Giminez thinks. They didn’t even get pay cuts.
So now we know who pays for the cruise trip (with the whole family) Look at the sponsor and the co sponsor and come up with the answer ” THE TAX PAYER AND/OR THE EMPLOYEES ” which by the way is the same thing, they too are tax payers!!!
Folks it is simple, individually, lets find a great law firm who wants to make alot of money and go after the county mayor and the commisioners, for fraud and extortion!
Extortion is distinguished from robbery. In robbery, whether armed or not, the offender takes property from the victim by the immediate use of force or fear that force will be immediately used (as in the classic line, “Your money or your life.”) Extortion, which is not limited to the taking of property, involves the verbal or written instillation of fear that something will happen to the victim if he or she does not comply with the extortionist’s will. Another key distinction is that extortion always involves a verbal or written threat, whereas robbery does not. In United States federal law, extortion can be committed with or without the use of force and with or without the use of a weapon.
The threat = County emplyees will be fired! plain and simple! the money is being taken without any reasonable explanation!
Henry
it is about time some light was shed on this matter , me as a citizens never knew the struggles Miami Dade county employees are going thru this is a total mess on behave of the mayor. I wonder what his answer is going to be this time. I understand tough times , but giving away money to company’s that are booming for what? the moral of all departments are at an all time low and its the mayor fault. The unions are doing a great job informing us the public of the realities of this local government.
This is funny how those who are highly educated in feilds that deal with numbers or politics cant see the discrepencies in the information they putting out . The Mayor is just lying through his teeth, the Commissioners are spineless. And this not a new accusation. These are the same Commissioners that approved the Marlin Stadium deal, The American Airlines Arena deal, and the soon to be Soccer Stadium deal. Miamidade County is the new Hialeah (corruption),the Mayor is the head of this long snake . I see fingers being pointed about being in the red ,but I havent heard 1 Commissioner or the Mayor have a resonable solution except for raising taxes, layoffs, and making county workers pay for the mess . Mayor how about you take 75,000 cut in salary, remove all your commissioners vaction salaries . Do not approve any new contracts for 2 years from vendors .Create jobs and services within the county. AND STOP WITH ALL THESE FRIENDLY FEES TO PRIVATE COMPANIES, GROW SOME MORALS ….. Miamidade County has no Ethics ……
The County Comm. has a game plan so they think. the same one’s who voted last week to give back the 5%, could have done the same on Tuesday. I do vote every Election, and my vote wise go WISLEY!!!
My jaw is still dropped after reading this. There is not even the appearance of propriety in this mess. Regarding the current horror of looming cuts to public libraries a famous anti-tax advocate once said “the money is there, they just have to find it.” Aha, NOW I get it! The still unanswered question is why do people holding positions of public trust expect us to think they hold the best interest of the community at heart? Look at how easily they are seduced into thinking that they do the right things for the right reasons. The voices of those of us willing to pay a fair tax for quality services are drowned out by those who (rightly) protest these corruptions. Lawmakers who’s view of the “public good” is this distorted should be voted out of office.
Good work, Ladra!
Great job! and background history…”Talking about unethical practices…what do we call this”??
The incompetent mayor has had plenty of time to fix his budget. He made no provisions and assumed our $56 million dollars would continue to be part of the operational budget.
Let him lay people off and every crime in the county will be blamed on him.
Another question is how much money does the County give away to the Miami Arena,which I understand does not pay taxes because they claim they lose money every year.The opera center in downtown Miami which is a money loser.The Metro-rail from the airport to downtown Miami that no one uses.There is something very wrong at County Hall!!
Hurt the very people that take care of citizens…then you wonder why it takes long to get anything, even police.hmmmmm…don’t blame them, blame the mayor. People get tired of abuse after a while, and BTW..these county employees still pay taxes and insurance anyway. They are getting double dipped.
Do you know that part-time county employees must pay the 5% even though they don’t get health insurance benefits? I agree that there is a lot of waste in government but fair is fair.
Then the firefighters should pay the 5% also even if they do have different insurance. Fair is fair.
Holy cow. I did not know that.
Even though they are paid a FAIR Wage, which means 200% of minimum wage, giving back 5% for nothing is a kick in the cojones
Good Job!!!!!
Civil servants can be inefficient but usually this inefficiency is imposed by “accountability” measures which is a measure to keep transparency.
The real waste, fraud, and abuse come from the private contractors who are seldom held accountable for screwing up or padding their bills.
Indeed, it is not civil servants who rob the county blind, it’s the private contractors.