County Ambassador Program would earn ex-Miami-Dade commissioners $25,000

MIAMI – Tucked away within the proposed Miami-Dade County Commission finances is the creation of the County Ambassador Program.

It permits former county commissioners to earn as much as $25,000 per fiscal yr, representing the county in occasions like a ribbon-cutting, assembly with dignitaries, and even offering marketing consultant companies to the chairperson and board. 

“Their former elected officials, what exactly is the ambassador explaining to people, sharing with people, or promising people,” requested Commissioner Raquel Regalado. “Are they quasi-lobbyists? Are they going to lobby us? They could be perceived as agents of the county commission without the authority of the county commission.”

Commissioner Raquel Regalado prefers to desk the merchandise. She shares her shock even to see it listed within the proposed mayor’s finances within the first place. Believing it is best fitted to the common agenda course of.

Her considerations concerning the proposed County Ambassador Program are wide-ranging.

“No disrespect to former county commissioners, but we already have 13 commissioners,” stated Regalado.

In Thursday’s First Budget Hearing, Commissioner Eileen Higgins voiced displeasure. She opposes the concept that the Chairman has the only authority to handpick County Ambassadors.  

“I’m very uncomfortable with that,” stated Higgins throughout the listening to. “Make sure previous commissioners aren’t roaming around District 5.”

CBS4 requested Regalado if the proposed program distracts commissioners from the problems when placing collectively a $10 billion-plus finances for the county for the subsequent fiscal yr.  

“Definitely,” stated Regalado.

This proposed ordinance performed a component in Regalado rejecting the mayor’s proposed finances.

“I think this budget needs a lot of work,” talked about Regalado.

Regalado has two chief considerations, total spending on applications whereas searching for to decrease the millage charge by a couple of %, as at the moment proposed within the finances.

“One percent is not enough,” emphasised Regalado. “This is the year to lower the millage and give people back money. The reality is that this is the most that residents of Miami-Dade County have paid for taxes in the history of Miami-Dade County because of the tremendous property value growth that we have had this year at the worst possible time.”

Regalado provides that the county would create a particular program to rent former commissioners as “odd.” Regalado mentions county commissioners might use a part of their allotted finances to rent former commissioners for occasions or consulting companies. She seems to handle considerations concerning the proposed program within the second finances listening to on September twentieth.

We contacted 12 of the 13 commissioners to touch upon the proposed ambassador program. Only Regalado agreed to talk.