The Miami Beach commissioner, David Suárez, introduced a resolution to eliminate thousands of dollars in annual allowances for vehicle, cellphone, and general expenses received by the mayor and commissioners, arguing that politicians should be the first to tighten their belts in light of the fiscal impact that the Amendment 3 on property tax will bring.
The initiative had already been on the municipal agendas since 2025, but it has now gained special significance following the approval of Amendment 3 in the elections on November 3.
The proposal is still set to be voted on at the Municipal Commission session on November 18. It is expected to save approximately 500,000 dollars a year and aims to offset some of the revenue losses projected by a state study: over 11 million dollars in 2027 and more than 22 million in 2028 for the coffers of Miami Beach.
Municipal records reveal a striking gap between the base salaries and the additional benefits of the city's elected officials. Commissioners earn $6,000 annually, while the mayor earns slightly less than $10,000; however, these amounts are supplemented by allowances of up to $2,600 for cell phone expenses and up to $9,500 for vehicle costs.
They also receive another allocation, known as the subsidy for mayors and commissions, which can reach up to 42,000 dollars annually.
Suárez, who claims to have never received a salary or municipal stipend, also questions the lack of control mechanisms over how public money is spent regarding these global allocations. Therefore, he proposes replacing them with a reimbursement system based on receipts for verifiable official expenses, and also reforming the pension system, which currently allows for the consolidation of rights after just one term.
"Before demanding sacrifices and budget cuts to cleaning services and parks, we must lead by example," declared the commissioner. "We are elected officials working part-time. This is not supposed to be our full-time position."
The initiative contrasts with the stance of Mayor Steven Meiner, who responded with a statement defending the city's financial health.
"Miami Beach is prepared for Amendment 3, and we are in a strong financial position. We lowered our tax rate for the second consecutive year, our reserves are the highest in the city's history, and our credit rating was recently upgraded," he stated.
Meiner also recalled that he was the only vote against when the commission approved a package of stipend increases in March 2024, by a vote of six to one, which included an inflation adjustment, an increase in vehicle and cell phone allowances, and retroactive payments. In February 2023, while serving as vice mayor, he also opposed a pension reform that would have benefited the commissioners themselves.
The residents' reactions to the figures were mixed. "It's a very large amount of money per month, per year, to give to someone who is doing something that is a civic duty," commented resident Lisa Aurora Sacco. Another resident, Chaz Lord, believed that the stipends are a fair compensation for the expenses involved in the role.
Miami Beach is not the only city in South Florida looking for ways to balance its budget after the approval of Amendment 3 on November 3rd with 62% of the votes.
Hialeah is considering salary cuts of up to 20% for non-unionized employees, although a spokesperson clarified that a definitive decision has not yet been made. Analysts also warn that if municipalities reduce their fire services to save costs, fire protection ratings could worsen, increasing homeowners' insurance rates for those already expecting to benefit from the tax cut.
For the average homeowner in Miami-Dade with a homestead exemption, the estimated savings are around $1,700 in 2027 and $2,700 in 2028, although this relief will not be reflected on the bills until November of next year.
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