The council encountered debate over the proposed cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for city employees. The city manager presented a proposed 7.5% COLA, emphasizing that it was intended to address the 21.1% increase in the cost of living over the past four years, while Doral’s salary adjustments during this period only amounted to 11.8%. He expressed concerns about a non-uniform COLA leading to disparity and low morale among employees.

Council members voiced varying perspectives on the issue. One council member supported the city manager’s position, linking fair compensation to employee retention and service levels. Another council member pointed to the Evergreen report’s recommendation to place salaries at the 75th percentile but noted that current average salaries already exceed the market average, thereby questioning the need for a uniform COLA. They suggested a more targeted approach focusing on essential workers earning between $30,000 and $40,000.

The Vice Mayor echoed concerns regarding the proposed salary increases. The ongoing debate centered on balancing competitive salaries with fiscal responsibility. A council member’s proposal to explore differentiated salary increases underscored the importance of strategically addressing compensation in relation to market standards and the city’s financial health.

The discussion concluded with the council needing further examination of the proposed budget and salary increases. The council ultimately tabled the tentative budget item for further review, with motions passed to continue consideration in subsequent meetings.

In addition to budget discussions, the council also addressed the relocation of the Kavant Waste-to-Energy Plant, operated by Miami-Dade County. A resolution was presented, formalizing the city’s opposition to the incinerator’s continued operation in Doral and urging the county to consider alternative sites, including a newly identified fourth location. The Mayor highlighted the importance of maintaining a stance in discussions with the county and the need for a memorandum of understanding regarding potential financial contributions from Doral if an outside location is selected.

Council members expressed gratitude for the community’s involvement and emphasized the need for continued momentum through community events aimed at informing and engaging residents about the waste facility’s potential impacts. Questions arose concerning the specifics of negotiations with the county, particularly regarding the involvement of lobbyists and ensuring open lines of communication throughout the process. The council moved to approve the resolution.

Public comments further highlighted community concerns. For instance, Gonzalez Pekovic commended the council for prioritizing discussions on relocating the incinerator and emphasized the importance of ongoing negotiations with the county. Another resident, Jim, raised concerns about mobilizing community support for the incinerator issue ahead of the upcoming September 17 meeting. Amando Codina addressed the council, emphasizing the need for the city to maintain control over land use and traffic considerations for a proposed county-owned property development.

The council’s deliberations revealed significant disagreements regarding the budget, the proposed COLA, and the overall process. The differing perspectives underscored a struggle to balance the desire for examination of budgetary details with the need to meet statutory deadlines. The city attorney clarified the legal requirements surrounding budget processes.