One can’t help but think that Coral Gables City Manager Pat Salerno knew he was on his way 
out and that that is why he made the change in his retirement benefits that not only increased the city’s contribution almost threefold, but gave it to him in one lump sum.
Salerno, who abruptly resigned his position earlier this month, not only gets a $210,000 payout — adding up his severance and unpaid annual leave. He also gets to keep the $74,100 the city deposited into his retirement accounts at the beginning of the year.
The city manager does not use the public employee pension system. He has his own retirement — actually two accounts, a 401a and a 457 plan and the $74,100 figure is for both combined. Only the three appointed positions — the city manager, the city clerk and the city attorney — can opt out of the city employee’s retirement plans and go solo.
Salerno used to get $28,500 a year from the city, paid to him every two weeks a
long with his paycheck. But he changed that when he got commissioners to agree to an increase in the city’s contribution from 15% of his $190,000 salary to 39%, which is the maximum allowed by state and may indicate that he could have been bold enough to ask for more.
How on Earth did commissioners approve this — and unanimously, mind you — in the midst of cutting employee positions, freezing salaries and increasing their pension contributions? While employees reportedly lose their homes and retired police officers are forced to live without cost of living increases? Is this the so-called pension reform they seek?
And what did Salerno know in November when he proposed this change?
Pat Salerno upped his retirement benefit before he left added by Ladra on
View all posts by Ladra →
