We hope you got your popcorn, ‘cuz here’s the recap of the September 17, 2019 North Miami 2nd Budget Hearing you’ve been waiting for!

As soon as City Clerk Vanessa Joseph took the roll call and announced a quorum, Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime opened the meeting with, “This is our second thing about the budget for the year 2019-2020.”

Followed immediately by, “And we’re gonna take a quick break and we are coming back in 15 minutes.”

What could possibly go wrong?

This is, after all, a City of North Miami Council meeting, where Robert’s Rules of Order are ignored, decorum is non-existent, and intelligence is in short supply.

As soon as the meeting was back in session, the first item up for discussion was the millage rate.

Or as Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime put it, the milage rate.

While on the campaign trail, mayoral candidate Philippe Bien-Aime promised to lower the millage to the rolled-back rate of 7.2193 mills.  Now that the election’s over, the Mayor and Council unanimously voted to approve keeping the rate at 7.5000, which is the ninth highest of Miami-Dade County’s 38 taxing districts.

It all went downhill from there.

Budget Director Rosalind Ray Morgan read from a document which allegedly included all the changes made to the budget since the first preliminary Fiscal Year 2020 budget was published for the first Budget Hearing on September 9, 2019.

In typical North Miami “transparency” fashion, city officials didn’t publish these changes for review by residents prior the second Budget Hearing.

As a result, it was extremely difficult to follow the Mayor and Council’s discussion about line item expenditures during the meeting.

Then again, the Mayor and Council were even more confused by all the math, so no one was on the same page anyway.

But first, the Mayor announced it was time for the one thing every North Miami elected official dreads … Public Comment.

Barely concealing his disdain for the working class peasants in the audience, the Mayor tried to soften the blow by warning, “No one’s gonna leave here 100% happy.  But I think you should leave [apparently wishing they would do just that], at least everyone should have something and be happy and move the city forward.”

Nervously wringing his hands, licking his lips, and stalling for as much time as humanly possible, Bien-Aime mumbled something about citizens needing to treat their Great and Glorious Leaders with respect if they wanted to be respected in return so they could “pass the budget for your benefit.”

In other words, “We know what’s best for you.  You may come kiss our rings, then sit down and shut up!”

Since the real stars of the show were the residents who stepped up to the podium to petition their local government, we’re going to give them the spotlight here that they deserve.

You can follow along on the meeting video beginning at minute 19:45.

Setting the tone for what was to come, Resident Bob Pechon was the first brave soul to address the political elite.  He began by respectfully chastising, “We people sit at home and try to understand this budget so we can come discuss it and ask intelligent questions.  We don’t stand a chance.  At best this budget lacks transparency and at worst it’s deceptive.”

Ya think?

Mr. Pechon went on to ask why the Mayor and Council budget increases by 50% year after year, and “has increased a million dollars in just four years.”  He also brought up the fact that the Mayor and Council salaries are concealed in “outside wages,” and their discretionary funds are buried in “miscellaneous expenses.”  Throughout the 160 pages of the budget there is “not one line item identifying the salaries of the elected officials.”

He continued, “I’m told that the Ms. North Miami Scholarship Pageant really isn’t that, but are large contributions to two Chambers of Commerce.”

Mr. Pechon also asked why the City Manager’s budget has doubled in four years, and as for the discretionary funds, “It appears that you not only spend our money as you please but you spend as much as you please.”

“The priorities are wrong, and this budget attempts to legitimize the mismanagement,” Mr. Pechon implored. “I ask you to cut this budget down to something that makes fiscal sense for North Miami.”

Outspoken activist Laura Hill came up to the podium next and respectfully asked why the members of North Miami’s ruling class completely ignored the wishes of a coalition of all eight North Miami Homeowners Associations calling for the “immediate elimination of discretionary funding,” reminding the Mayor and Council that their spending doesn’t “necessarily reflect the generosity of the people whose money that is.”

She continued, “Instead of honoring that request you added to the discretionary funds.”  She went on to point out that it isn’t “the job our government to be funding churches and parties,” but that “the money needs to be spent on things that improves the lives of the residents.”

Lastly, Ms. Hill brought up once again for the umpteenth time, “If we [already] used the $2 million to balance the budget from Costco, there’s still a line item saying that there is a $20,000 payment in revenue coming in.  I’m confused on how that works.  If someone could clear that up I’d appreciate it.  I’ve been on this Costco kick for about a year now.  I’d like to move on.  So if someone could clarify how if we can still get revenue even though we spent the $2 million balancing last year’s budget it would be appreciated.”

Resident Robert Husted said that because the city had a “budget deficit last year of $8 that was unaccounted for,” he wanted the elected officials to have a “serious judiciary oversight” over this year’s budget.  He respectfully added that if “we make this budget, we stick to the budget.”

Mr. Husted was also concerned about the possibility of the sale of the water utility as well as the ongoing sewage problems.  Finally, he expressed hope that the Mayor and Council would take into consideration what the residents had asked for.

Next up, resident Judy Brown was most concerned about the budget increases, respectfully stating, “When you sit down and listen to increase after increase after increase,” and especially the increase in the water bill.  She expressed hope that “you guys will be able to do something about it.”  Ms. Brown then asked the Mayor and Council to cut down on the entertainment and special events.  She explained, “All holidays are important, all cultures are important, but we cannot continuously give everybody a plaque … but we have to think about the bottom line and the citizens of our community.  We cannot continue to party like it’s 1999.”

Ms. Brown followed that line with, “We talk about it, but you don’t listen to us.  And I find that very disturbing.”  She asked the Mayor and Council to give up a piece of their pie, cut out some of the entertainment, and shift some of those funds to the library.

“We are in an $8 million deficit,” she continued.  “I know people get increases in their raises and their step raises and things like that, when you’re in a deficit it doesn’t seem like you get a raise.  I worked for 41 years and when there was no money and the budget was sort of tight, we didn’t get any money.  So you don’t want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg.  This budget is sorta out of whack.  People made promises during the campaign and they have not kept those promises.”  She asked the Mayor and Council to “do a little bit better.”

William “Fireman Bill” Simpson spoke next.  He respectfully mentioned that at a meeting he and resident Jim Garrett had with Councilman Scott Galvin and City Manager Larry Spring, he “was told that at the end of the year everything would balance.”  He said he had looked at the transparency portal and the city is still “$8 million in the hole,” and wanted to know “how in the next two weeks it’s gonna all balance, where the $8 million is coming from.  Maybe someone can explain that to all of us tonight.”

Mr. Simpson also brought up the discretionary funds and that he wants them eliminated.  He said, “I think it’s a problem.  I would like to see some kind of legal ruling as far as separation of church and state.  I don’t think there’s any way that this money can be given to different religious organizations and be distributed in a fair way.  There’s no way it can be done.  I’d like to see legal ruling on it by somebody.”

Mr. Simpson ended his comments by saying that the library is way underfunded.

Resident Ilyana Albarran respectfully expressed concerned about the part-time Parks & Rec employees being laid off for lack of funding when the City Manager makes close to a quarter of a million dollars a year.  “If we’re going to be austere, shouldn’t our leadership be looking at the money that’s allocated to those salaries so that we don’t have to lay off people?”

Ms. Albarran suggested reducing the City Manager’s pay by $100,000, which would still be $100,000 more than the median household income in North Miami.

She closed with, “So if we’re going to be austere, our leadership should be demonstrating that in the budget of the salary of our leadership in that demonstration, and the city council members who are deciding where to spend the funds.”

Jim Garrett was up next at the podium and respectfully advised the Mayor and Council they could cut the budget by $405,000 by eliminating their discretionary funds.

He also suggested paring down the number and cost of special events and repeated the plea made by several former speakers to increase funding to the library.

Mr. Garrett also expressed concern about the need to improve the water and sewer system.  “We don’t have our fiscal house in order.  Even if we cut the budget by 10%, Mr. Mayor, you can achieve your promise of rolling back the millage rate from 7.500 to 6.500.  That was one of your promises that you made on the trail.  Thank you.”

Willam Welsh blasted the Mayor and Council, respectfully of course, by saying, “I’m gonna keep this kinda simple.  Every one of you are spending the taxpayers’ money.  This is not city money, this belongs to the people who voted you in and who live in this community.  I think too many politicians and city officials look at it as the city’s money.  It is not.  It is the people’s money.  And the people will hold everybody accountable at some stage for the gluttony that is being perceived in this budget.  This budget is a travesty.”

He continued, “I actually remember one council person saying that ‘the party is over, we’re going to be austere’ at the CAFR meeting.  But yet it seems like that has gone out the window.  This budget should be voted down, lock, stock and barrel, and redone.  And I know time is of the essence because of the taxes.  But this is a travesty.  And, Mr. Mayor, this will fall on your head and it lays at your doorstep.”

Mr. Welshe wrapped up his comment with, “This is a fiduciary responsibility to spend the people’s money wisely and correctly.  And if you can’t, there are remedies outside this city chamber.  And people will eventually become so fed up with the mismanagement of our funds after losing eight million dollars that they’re not gonna take it anymore.  And they will look at other remedies to stop this drunken spending of their money.  Please, think about that this is the people’s money.  How hard some of these people work.  And if you don’t, you have no fiduciary responsibility and you should not be sitting up there.  Thank you.

Resident Carmela Carmen came up to the podium to address the Mayor and Council’s “20% raises and increase in discretionary funds.”  She respectfully admonished, “Just because you can give yourselves a 20% raise doesn’t mean you should.  The discretionary funds should be zero.  I think this would be in order to prevent from being used to gain favor, praise or votes from your constituents.  I also believe your job is not to enrich yourselves but to work in our best interests.  It’s really kind of frustrating and upsetting to know and to hear what everyone else has said before me.”

Ms. Carmen again expressed her dismay with the Mayor and Council giving themselves raises and said, “I’m lucky if I get a 2% raise every year from my job, so 20% seem a bit astronomical.”

At which point, she got a round of applause.

Finally, Jessica Alston came up to the podium and began her slightly less than respectful and biting impeachment of the Mayor and Council by reminding them of their campaign promises to eliminate the discretionary fund.  She was especially critical of Philippe Bien-Aime saying, “To our surprise, Mayor, you not only said it should be raised, but that yours should be more since you represent five – all the districts.  What an about face from your campaign promise.”

Ms. Alston continued, “We are in a time where we have a budget crisis, and the only people being taxed are we the citizens.”

Becoming even more indignant, and rightfully so, Ms. Alston shot angry barbs at the Mayor and Council, all of them worth repeating here.

“We are the people being penalized for the shortcomings in the budget.”

“We were hoping that this would be a time of transparency and unfortunately it’s not.”

“We the citizens are the most important part of the city and you don’t have consideration for us at all!  It’s time to make a change in thought and concern.”

“Who’s gonna be penalized for the eight million dollar deficit?”  WHO?  WHO?  WHO’S GONNA ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY?  WHO, WHO?  WHO’S GONNA ANSWER AND BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT?”

The audience erupted in applause.

“Answer that question in the budget.  Thank you.”

We aren’t going to bore you here with a play by play account of the rest of the budget hearing, because nothing that was said after the residents spoke was worth listening to.

Besides, despite the protestations of the taxpaying residents of North Miami, the Mayor and Council refused to address any of their concerns or give up even one dime of their 20% raises.

In the interest of the same “transparency” that city officials pretend exists in North Miami, here is a brief synopsis of the pearls of wisdom dripping out the mouths of the Anointed Ones on the dais:

Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime:  Election’s over.  I’m the Mayor.  I get the most toys!

Vice Mayor Carol Keys:  Let’s stop spending money!

Councilman Alix Desume:  No one can tell me how to spend my money!

Councilman Scott Galvin:  Motion to adjourn!

Councilwoman Mary Estimé-Irvin:  What was the question?

City Manager Larry Spring spent the entire meeting trying to teach the Mayor how a budget works.

City Clerk Vanessa Joseph was most likely wondering why the Mayor, a 6-year veteran on the dais, had never learned Robert’s Rules of Order.

Deputy City Manager Arthur “Duke” Sorey was strangely silent during the four and half hours of hell on earth, and appeared relieved that no one asked him to speak.

City Attorney Jeff Cazeau, the smartest person in the room, quietly sat there trying to avoid attention, and probably wishing he were on a beach somewhere in Jamaica drinking Flaming Bob Marley shots.

After the elected officials amended the budget several times by making even more spending cuts – except to their own 20% raises, of course – the Mayor again opened up public comment for the residents, most of whom were angry that the library was still underfunded.

Once again, King Mayor Philippe sneered at his royal subjects for not being grateful after all the crumbs he’s tossing their way.

At hour 3:07:25, His Highness said, “I don’t understand some residents are talking about a cut for the library.  I’ve been here for a while, uh six years, and every year we increase the budget of the library from $900,000 in 2016, now it’s $1.2 million.  That’s been about $250,000 dollars.  I do understand that we need more money for the library but don’t call me and say we been cutting the library’s budget.  I understand they need more books, they need more computers, we do understand that.  But don’t just come here on the record and say that we are cutting, we are cutting.  The administration make a proposal, we haven’t decided yet on the library.”

In other words, “You have a lot of nerve to publicly criticize us for spending your money!”

Once again, Bob Pechon zinged back with, “Mr. Mayor, you said the library’s budget increased $250,000 since 2016, and the Mayor and Council’s budget increased $200,000 since last Monday.”

At the end of the day, the Mayor and Council kept their approximate 20% increase in salary (despite an attempt to cut it by Councilwoman Keys), while decreasing the budgets for all other departments, except for the library.

They cut Special Events by $300,000 from $700,000 down to $400,000.

They also reluctantly cut their discretionary funds by $100,000 from $370,000 down to $270,000, which is still way too much money in the hands of these reckless big spenders.

To make matters worse, we’re still not sure if the $270,000 will now also include the $7,000 “miscellaneous” discretionary funds they each have at their disposal.  If that’s the case, the real discretionary budget is still $305,000, which is only an $80,000 cut from the current fiscal year.

But here’s the kicker.

Politicians love to say they “cut the budget” to make themselves appear to be responsible public servants looking out for the best interests of their constituents.

But remember, a budget cut is not a reduction of spending in the current year at all, but merely a reduction of the planned increase in spending next year.

Even after all this selfless “cutting,” keep in mind that in Fiscal Year 2020, the North Miami Mayor and Council are still increasing the city’s spending by more than 7%, while cutting salaries across the board by almost $1 million.

Yet, somehow, their own salaries are being increased by 20%.

Seems legit.

(And don’t even get us started on the utterly grotesque amount of money the city contributes to their personal pension funds.  We’ll reserve that outrage for a future column.)

The real irony is that even after getting almost everything they wanted, Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime and Councilman Alix Desulme both voted NO on the FY 2020 budget.

The only reason it finally did pass is because Councilwoman Carol Keys reluctantly changed her mind after the Mayor demanded that the Clerk “recall the vote” (which isn’t even a thing) and asked for a do over.

Once again, however, the political elite ensure that their personal coffers continue to be enriched at the expense of the taxpayers, while North Miami residents get the royal shaft.

UPDATE:  We were just advised that Councilwoman Keys was successful in reducing the discretionary fund budget by an additional $100,000, as well as the $300,000 reduction in the Special Events budget, which is why she finally consented to voting for the FY 2020 budget.  It’s also probably the reason Philippe and Alix voted against it.  The discretionary fund is now a more reasonable (yet still unacceptable) $170,000.  In addition, each of the elected officials will still receive $7,000 for “miscellaneous” discretionary funds, totaling $35,000, bringing their grand total of discretionary funds up to $205,000 to spend any way they want.

Stephanie