Miami Beach commissioners and the mayor once again found themselves navigating the politically sensitive topic of their own compensation on Wednesday, as an agenda item revived a long‑running debate over salaries, stipends and office allowances.
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Commissioner Laura Dominguez acknowledged how infrequently the issue is addressed, saying she had not reviewed the matter “in about two years.”
The discussion comes as a proposed resolution outlines significant increases to the operating budgets for the mayor’s and commissioners’ offices. In 2024, those budgets totaled $2.879 million. The proposal for 2026 raises that figure to $4.374 million, an approximate 50% increase and a jump that has drawn scrutiny.
Commissioner Alex Fernandez defended the workload associated with the job, noting that although the role is officially part‑time, “it is really a full‑time job.”
Commissioner David Suarez, who sponsored the item, offered a different perspective. He estimated that commissioners earn between $6,000 and $8,000 in base pay, but ultimately “clear roughly $70,000 to $80,000” after allowances and benefits are factored in.
The resolution Suarez introduced calls for eliminating car and cellphone allowances, arguing the savings could help fund infrastructure and other priorities that “may otherwise go unfunded.”
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Suarez said the current compensation structure sends the wrong message.
“It sets a bad example,” he said. “It is a public service… it is not a full‑time position and should not be treated as such.”
Fernandez emphasized that he has never voted to increase his own compensation, saying such decisions “belong in the hands of the voters of our city.”
Suarez also pointed to the fact that commissioners could receive a pension — another benefit he believes is out of line with the nature of the job.
The issue has appeared on multiple agendas in the past but has consistently failed to gain traction. Commissioners expect the same outcome this time.
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