Taxpayers Cut the Cords to Village Manager’s Golden Parachute
CBS4 ITEAM and Eye on Palmetto Bay Challenge Village Manager’s Perk-Filled Contract
Palmetto Bay investigated by CBS4 ITEAM for Village Manager golden parachute contract
Just days after the City of Miami was exposed for offering expensive sweetheart deals to city employees, the Mayor of Palmetto Bay tried to implement a similar policy.
Fortunately, the Eye on Palmetto Bay and a handful of angry taxpayers joined forces with CBS4 News to pressure the Mayor to reconsider.
With one business day’s notice prior to Monday’s council meeting, Mayor Eugene Flinn sponsored a resolution to further extend the employment contract for Mr. Ron Williams, the Village Manager. The new agreement called for numerous benefits and perks, far and above those found in the current contract.
The 5 year extended contract would reach into 2014, well beyond the the Mayor’s tenure, which ends in 2010 due to term limits. Two other council seats are up for election in 2010 as well.
Of special concern to the Eye was the fact the manager would be eligible to bank unused vacation and sick time, up to 2 months per year, to be redeemed for a future cash payout. In addition, the new contract called for a $1000 monthly car allowance, although the manager lives less than 2 miles from village hall.
The Eye contacted the CBS4 ITEAM late Sunday evening. In September, CBS4 exposed the costly banking of unused time by City of Miami employees.
Investigative reporter David Sutta wasted no time. By 11am Monday morning, Sutta was inside Palmetto Bay’s village hall, confronting Flinn and Williams.
The primary question asked: How do you justify such expensive perks in light of the current economic climate?
The story hit the South Florida TV airwaves at 6pm on the CBS4 local news, at 10pm on WBFS – Channel 33, and on 11pm on CBS4.
Apparently, Flinn recognized the unwanted media scrutiny might harm his future political ambitions – he is running as a Democrat for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives. By the conclusion of Monday night’s Palmetto Bay council meeting, the manager’s contract extension was passed, but the car allowance was reduced and the banking of unused personal time was capped.
In the long run, Palmetto Bay taxpayers will save thousands of dollars in payouts to the Village Manager.
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