Resolution 2022-31995RESOLUTION NO. 2022-31995
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA
LEGISLATURE TO INCREASE THE FUNDING FOR THE MIAMI-
DADE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, INCLUDING, AMONG OTHER
OPTIONS, A LOCALITY PAY SALARY SUPPLEMENT TO SUPPORT
THE HIRING AND RETENTION OF EXPERIENCED ASSISTANT
STATE ATTORNEYS, DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY RELATIVE TO THE REST OF THE STATE OF
FLORIDA; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO SEND A COPY OF
THIS RESOLUTION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA SENATE,
THE SPEAKER OF THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
AND MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI-DADE STATE LEGISLATIVE
DELEGATION.
WHEREAS, the Miami -Dade State Attorney's Office is the largest prosecutor's
office in the State of Florida and one of the largest in the United States; and
WHEREAS, a 2021 study released by Investopedia found that Miami is one of the
top 10 most expensive cities to live in the United States, and the only southern U.S. city
on the list; and
WHEREAS, a law school graduate from Florida State University can expect tuition
debt alone of over $67,000, and a University of Miami School of Law graduate can expect
tuition debt exceeding $154,000; and
WHEREAS, home values in Miami -Dade County rose by 17% over the past year,
while the average price for the rental of a one -bedroom apartment in Miami is up to an
average of $2,170 a month; and
WHEREAS, while the estimated starting salaries for a clinical Nurse 1 ($51,175),
and a Miami -Beach Police Officer ($56,902) are in excess of $50,000, with educational
requirements ranging from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degrees, the starting
annual salary of $50,000 for a Miami -Dade County Assistant State Attorney, with a juris
doctorate degree, is lower than all of the above -referenced positions; and
WHEREAS, when compared to the starting salaries of other local public service
attorneys in Miami -Dade County, which range from $51,355 for an Assistant Statewide
Prosecutor to $80,000 for an Assistant County Attorney, the pay disparity for Assistant
State Attorneys is even more pronounced; and
WHEREAS, with the high cost of housing, and the extraordinary amount of debt
for the average law school graduate, it is increasingly difficult for the Miami -Dade State
Attorney's Office to retain prosecutors; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, The Florida Tax Watch released a research paper
recommending targeted salary increases for prosecutors and public defenders to reduce
turnover, which was, at 11 % at the time of the research, and noting that the cost of
replacing attorneys, due to inadequate pay, was higher than it would be to increase
starting salaries; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, Florida Tax Watch released another report entitled "When It
Costs More to Pay Less" which stressed that low pay contributes to high turnover and
delays in judicial processing, costing tax payers more than $15 million annually versus
$5.2 million if starting salaries were increased to $50,000, which they subsequently have;
and
WHEREAS, despite the increase to $50,000, salaries have not kept pace with the
cost of living in Miami -Dade County and in 2021, the Miami -Dade State Attorney's Office
reported a loss of at least 70 attorneys while only replacing 17 of those attorneys at the
time of reporting; and
WHEREAS, the high cost of housing and high law school debt for Assistant State
Attorneys in Miami -Dade County makes it difficult to retain starting attorneys at a starting
salary of $50,000 and the loss of experience due to significant attrition rates is a serious
impediment in the administration of justice in Miami -Dade County; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby urge the Florida Legislature to increase the funding for the Miami -
Dade State Attorney's Office, including, among other options, a locality pay salary
supplement to support the hiring and retention of experienced Assistant State Attorneys,
due to the high cost of living in Miami -Dade county relative to the rest of the state of
Florida; and direct the City Clerk to send a copy of this Resolution to the president of the
Florida Senate, the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and members of
the Miami -Dade State Legislative Delegation.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this o�b
ATTEST:
RAF EL E. GRANADO, CITY CLERK
JAN 2 5 2022
(sponsored by Commissioner Alex Fernandez)
iE!cocri;oanrr
h'1L•" 3
day of J444 "-r 2022
DAN GELBER, MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
City ASomey
Date
C7 -Resolutions AC
MIAMIBEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Commissioner Alex Femandez
DATE: January 20, 2022
SUBJECT. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO
INCREASE THE FUNDING FOR THE MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY'S
OFFICE, INCLUDING, AMONG OTHER OPTIONS, A LOCALITY PAY
SALARY SUPPLEMENT TO SUPPORT THE HIRING AND RETENTION OF
EXPERIENCED ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEYS, DUE TO THE HIGH
COST OF LIVING IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY RELATIVE TO THE REST OF
THE STATE OF FLORIDA; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO SEND A
COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA
SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AND MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI-DADE STATE
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.
ANALYSIS
Above referenced resolution is submitted for consideration to January 20 Commission
meeting.
Applicable Area
Not Applicable
Is this a "Residents Right
to Know" item, pursuant to
City Code Section 2-14?
No
Strategic Connection
Non -Applicable
Legislative Tracking
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
M
Page 473 of 1313
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
❑ Resolution
Page 474 of 1313