2019-08-06 Ex 17
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
55 SE THIRD AVENUE
OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974
Phone: (863)763-3372
www.cityofokeechobee.com
Okeechobee City Council
Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr.
Wes Abney
Monica Clark
Bob Jarriel
Bobby Keefe
______________________________________________________________________
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Watford and City Council
FROM: Marcos Montes De Oca, P.E., City Administrator
Re: City Administrator Supplemental Salary Comparison Data & Key Points
DATE: June 26, 2019 Revised; July 23, 2019
______________________________________________________________________
Please add the following updated supplemental information for the August 6th, 2019 City
Council Meeting. The corresponding Administration contract will be presented at the meeting as
an exhibit, previously reviewed for Legal sufficiency.
Based upon the 2017 League of Cities data for city administrators I have compiled the following
in support of my salary increase for the upcoming contract. I have sorted the data in sever al
ways to ensure questions are answered in both the local, regional and state levels to ensure
completeness. Please note, locally in the Lake Okeechobee area, new appointments and/or raises
have been given, but not included in this data set.
State of Florida Level
Overage state average for all cities - populations 8 to 467,872 = $117,942.52
Average city administrator in cities populations 4500 to 6500 = $122,152.43
Regionally with Treasure Coast
Average Salary in Treasure Coast none-removed = $130,981.79
Same as above with Moore Haven and Belle Glade removed (low / high) = $123,727.24
Locally with areas in Heartland and Surrounding Lake Okeechobee
Average salary none-removed = $136,475.00
Same as above with Moore Haven and Belle Glade removed (low / high) = $112,950.00
All above numbers are 2017 averages, correcting for 2019-2020 is approximately 5% in addition
and does not include recent positions or new hires.
Proposed salary is approximately under state average and consistent with local area, n ot
including engineering services I currently provide.
Key items for contract renewal:
- Acceptance of this Agreement will result in a savings of over $130,000 in professional
service expenses for the 2019-2020 budget. Additional savings are anticipated to be greater
in the upcoming years with increased economic development and review requirements.
- City is operating within its budget operationally without use of reserves, first time in over a
decade. Budget year 2017-2018 – Approximately $160k above our revenues in operation.
- Saved approximately $75k-$80k on Construction plan preparation, engineering consulting
and engineering construction oversite, not including day to day repair items and upcoming
plans. Review of all TRC items from drainage and engineering perspective without separate
contract or Planning review Sub-Contract annually.
- Current preparation of budget that would be largest voluntary millage drop in over 20 years.
- Changed investment usage of our reserve to now provide a revenue of at least $125,000 per
year
- Provided leadership and community relationship to promote growth, diversity and a more
economic sustainable mentality for the community through policy development and
involvement.
- Cohesive relationship with County from not only administration but to all departments from
Public Works, Fire, but also Police Department.
- Involvement and familiar working relationships with our local, state and federal level elected
officials as well as FDOT, SFWMD and FDEP.
- Numerous projects to bring city “up to date” from computers, to dispatch to our
developmental philosophies to increase revenues and providing more city amenities.
- City has worked with other agencies to secure approximately $2M in grants and facilities.
- Worked with FDOT and State elected officials to have signal approved at North 9th, to be
funded fully by FDOT.
- Involvement into the community through projects and volunteering this is my community
too.
- As based upon the date provided by the FL League of Cities, salary will be below average
for like service without the additional engineering reviews and construction plan
preparation. Over 10% lower than the average salaries for communities around the lake as
of 2 years ago.
- City of Okeechobee is now part of Competitive Florida for potential funding opportunities
and economic growth to promote diversity and resiliency of our community.
2017 Data Populations from 4500 – 6500
Municipality County Population Salary
Flagler Beach Flagler,Volusia 4,685 $120,000.00
Davenport Polk 4,946 $85,000.00
Belleview Marion 4,979 $112,785.00
Wauchula Hardee 5,172 $100,610.00
South Bay Palm Beach 5,215 $107,900.00
Indiantown Martin 5,457 $125,000.00
DeFuniak Springs Walton 5,471 $80,000.00
Fellsmere Indian River 5,483 $140,600.00
Starke Bradford 5,520 $70,000.00
Okeechobee Okeechobee 5,566 $87,721.66
Mascotte Lake 5,623 $118,102.00
Tequesta Palm Beach 5,731 $190,858.00
Fort Meade Polk 5,736 $100,000.00
Surfside Miami-Dade 5,814 $169,744.00
Bay Harbor Islands Miami-Dade 5,826 $172,578.90
Pahokee Palm Beach 5,889 $118,000.00
Lake Alfred Polk 5,903 $107,145.00
Newberry Alachua 5,907 $114,109.00
High Springs Alachua 6,023 $90,000.00
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Broward 6,175 $168,000.00
Islamorada, Village of Islands Monroe 6,326 $146,450.00
Fort Myers Beach Lee 6,328 $162,750.00
2017 Data Regional and Lake Okeechobee Area
Municipality County Population Salary
Indiantown Martin 5,457 $125,000.00
Sewall's Point Martin 2,044 $102,000.00
Stuart Martin 16,183 $137,500.00
Belle Glade Palm Beach 17,290 $235,000.00
Pahokee Palm Beach 5,889 $118,000.00
South Bay Palm Beach 5,215 $107,900.00
Port St. Lucie St Lucie 181,284 $199,120.22
Clewiston Hendry 7,659 $104,563.68
Sebring Highlands 10,993 $95,734.00
Moore Haven Glades 1,747 $85,000.00
Page 1 of 8
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
CITY ADMINISTRATOR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, (hereinafter referred to as “Agreement”), is by and
between the City of Okeechobee, Florida, (hereinafter referred to as “CITY”) a Municipal
Corporation existing under the laws of the State of Florida, whose address is 55
Southeast 3rd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34974; and MARCOS MONTES DE OCA,
hereinafter referred to as “CITY ADMINISTRATOR”, whose address on the date of
execution is: 2001 SW 8th Street, Okeechobee, Florida 34974, and whose mailing
address is PO Box 1001, Okeechobee, FL 34973.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the CITY desires to employ MARCOS MONTES DE OCA as CITY
ADMINISTRATOR, as provided for in the Code of Ordinances for the CITY; and
WHEREAS, the CITY, through the City Council, desires to provide certain benefits and
compensation, to establish certain conditions of employment, and to set working
conditions applicable of the CITY ADMINISTRATOR; and
WHEREAS, MARCOS MONTES DE OCA desires to accept the employment offer to
serve as CITY ADMINISTRATOR; and
WHEREAS, the CITY and CITY ADMINISTRATOR have negotiated the terms of said
employment which are set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and consideration herein
contained, the CITY and the CITY ADMINISTRATOR hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1: EMPLOYMENT
A. The CITY hereby hires and appoints MARCOS MONTES DE OCA as its CITY
ADMINISTRATOR, under the terms established herein, to perform the duties and
functions specified in the CITY’S Charter, Code of Ordinances, Personnel
Policies and Procedures, and other controlling la w, and to perform other legally
permissible and proper duties and functions as the City Council shall from time to
time assign. Considering this, MARCOS MONTES DE OCA agrees to accept
and to diligently perform such duties.
SECTION 2: EFFECTIVE DATE
This Agreement shall be effective as of October 1, 2019.
Page 2 of 8
SECTION 3: TERM
A. The initial term of this Agreement shall commence on the effective date as
provided in Section 2 herein, and be for a period of five (5) years, unless
renewed as provided herein below, or terminated as provided in Section 10
herein.
B. This Agreement may renew for a period of five (5) years after the initial term,
upon majority vote of the City Council or extended with approvals of both parties
within the contract period.
C. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right
of the CITY to terminate the services of the CITY ADMINISTRATOR at any time,
subject only to the provision set forth in this Agreement and in the City Code of
Ordinances.
D. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right
of the CITY ADMINISTRATOR to resign at any time from the position of CITY
ADMINISTRATOR subject only to the provision set forth in this Agreement.
SECTION 4: SALARY AND EVALUATION
A. For the performance of services pursuant to this Agreement, the CITY agrees to
pay the CITY ADMINISTRATOR an annual base salary of as per the table below
based upon each year under this agreement , payable in installments at the same
time as other CITY employees are paid, subject to standard tax and benefit
deductions.
Year 1 - City Fiscal Year 2019 - 2020 $113,000
Year 2 - City Fiscal Year 2020 - 2021 $117,500
Year 3 - City Fiscal Year 2021 - 2022 $120,500
Year 4 - City Fiscal Year 2022 - 2023 $122,500
Year 5 - City Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024 $125,500
B. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR is subject to an evaluation of their performance at
least once annually, to be completed by the City Council by June 1 of each year.
C. Upon the annual employment anniversary date, and receiving a satisfactory
evaluation score, the CITY ADMINISTRATOR shall be entitled to a longevity
salary increase as provided for all other full-time employees.
D. The City Council, in its sole discretion upon receipt of an unsatisfactory
evaluation, may extend to the CITY ADMINISTRATOR a period of sixty (60) days
to improve their performance prior to terminating this contract for cause.
E. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR is entitled to receive any annual across the board
and/or cost of living salary increases that may be approved by the City Council
as provided for all other full-time employees.
Page 3 of 8
F. Nothing in this Section shall require the CITY to increase the base salary or other
benefits of the CITY ADMINISTRATOR. Furthermore, the City’s failure to
conduct any of the scheduled evaluations shall not constitute non-compliance
with a material provision of this Agreement.
SECTION 5: DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS.
A. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR shall have the duties, responsibilities and powers of
said office as provided in the Code of Ordinances, and Job Description, Attached
hereto as Exhibit 1. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR agrees to perform all duties
and responsibilities faithfully, industriously, and to the best of their ability and in a
professional and competent manner. Further agrees and understands they are to
attend all City Council Meetings and Workshops, preside as Chair over the
Technical Review Committee meetings, and attend Planning Board/Board of
Adjustment/Design Review Committee meetings (as necessity requires), as well
as others that are appointed by the City Council from time to time .
B. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR agrees that they are properly classified as Exempt
for purposes of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. It is recognized that the
CITY ADMINISTRATOR will frequently work hours outside the normal work day,
of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but “full-time” employment as used in this Agreement
means a minimum of a 40-hour week, and the normal hours of t he CITY
ADMINISTRATOR will be from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
C. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR and the CITY agree that in all events, the CITY
ADMINISTRATOR shall devote such time as necessary to competently and
professionally undertake and complete their duties, which may include being
called out after hours or on weekends for emergency situations.
D. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR shall be a full-time employee of the CITY and shall
devote all such time, attention, knowledge and skills necessary to faithfully
perform their duties under this Agreement. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR may,
however, engage in educational, lecturing and professional activities and other
employment activities upon receipt of approval by the City Council, provided that
such activities or employment do not create a conflict of interest with the CITY or
it officials. A “conflict of interest” shall be defined as set forth in Chapter 112,
Florida Statutes, as a violation of CITY policies, or as any employment,
consultant work, or other professional activity that will be inconsistent with the
duties of CITY ADMINISTRATOR, or that is contrary to the interests of the CITY.
E. In the event the CITY ADMINISTRATOR shall serve on any appointed boards or
elected boards of any professional organization, or serve on any committees
related to their professional activities, in the event any monies are paid, or gifts
received, by the CITY ADMINISTRATOR related to such service, such money or
property shall be paid over to or delivered to the CITY, unles s otherwise reported
or provided by the State of Florida Ethics Laws on gifts.
Page 4 of 8
F. The CITY recognizes the desirability of representation in and before local civil
and other organizations, and encourages the CITY ADMINISTRATOR to
participate in these organizations to foster a continuing awareness of the CITY’S
activities as well as the community’s attitudes and ideas.
G. The CITY recognizes that the CITY ADMINISTRATOR is a licensed professional
engineer (PE 63897) in the State of Florida, and owns a private firm engaged in
that work, MDO Engineering, Inc. While employed at the CITY, the CITY
ADMINISTRATOR shall not perform engineering services as MDO Engineering
Inc. for private clients during normal work hours while at the CITY. If engaged in
engineering services for private clients, that work shall not conflict with the role of
CITY ADMINISTRATOR at the CITY, nor shall such engineering services, plans
or certifications be placed before any citizen boards at the CITY for plan
approval. This provision shall not prevent CITY ADMINISTRATOR from
performing engineering services for the benefit of a project on behalf of the CITY,
but such engineering services shall be provided to CITY without additional
compensation other than that set out herein.
H. In as much as CITY ADMINISTRATOR will be an active full member of
International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the “Code of Ethics”
promulgated by ICMA, as well as the provisions of the Florida Commission on
Ethics are incorporated herein, and by this reference made a part hereof. CITY
ADMINISTRATOR shall follow these principles to govern his conduct and actions
as CITY ADMINISTRATOR at all times. Further, CITY ADMINISTRATOR shall
familiarize himself with other applicab le laws in Florida that may concern his
actions and conduct, including but not limited to Sunshine laws and laws
concerning receipt of gifts.
SECTION 6: BENEFITS.
A. All benefits available to every employee as set out in the Personnel Policies and
Procedures Employee Benefits and Leave Benefits Chapters as written, or as
from time to time amended by the City Council.
1. Annual Leave – CITY ADMINISTRATOR shall accrue 10.7 hours per month
of annual leave per year, accrued in accordance with CITY policy.
B. The CITY shall provide in its sole discretion a suitable late model automobile for
the use by the CITY ADMINISTRATOR to conduct CITY business, which shall
include insurance, maintenance, and fuel. Said vehicle may be used by the CITY
ADMINISTRATOR for travel to and from their Okeechobee residence, all CITY
business and travel as required to perform their duties, including use to
seminars, training, conventions, meetings with CITY consultants and other
locations and/or events deemed appropriate by the CITY AD MINISTRATOR.
C. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR shall be provided an office, and clerical support and
such other facilities and supplies suitable to the position, and adequate for the
performance of all required duties.
Page 5 of 8
D. The CITY shall provide the CITY ADMINISTRATOR with a cellular phone
allowance of $100.00 per month to compensate them for the business use on
their personal cellular phone.
E. The CITY agrees to provide the CITY ADMINISTRATOR annual health, long
term disability and life insurance, which does not include coverage for spouse or
dependents, but which may be obtained at additional cost to the CITY
ADMINISTRATOR should it be selected. Such coverage will be effective upon
employment.
F. The CITY agrees to pay the professional dues for membership of the CITY
ADMINISTRATOR to the Florida League of Cities, the Florida City and County
Managers Association (FCCMA); ICMA; and Florida Engineering Society (FES).
The CITY shall pay other dues and subscriptions on behalf of the CITY
ADMINISTRATOR as are approved in the CITY’S annual budget (on a line item
basis) or as authorized separately by the City Council.
G. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR is entitled and encouraged to participate in such
General Employees Pension Plan as may be in effect within the CITY or as
amended. Alternatively, the CITY ADMINISTRATOR may elect to seek to join a
deferred compensation plan, such as the International City Management
Association Retirement Corporation (ICMA-RC) plan, which satisfies Federal
Internal Revenue Service deferred compensation plan requirements. If the CITY
ADMINISTRATOR desires to join such a deferred compensation plan or other
qualifying plan, upon reasonable right of review and approval by the C ITY which
shall not unreasonably be withheld, the CITY shall pay into such plan the sa me
amount or percentage as the CITY would pay into the CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S
General Employee Pension Plan by payment of such amount into a deferred
compensation plan, this negates the CITY’S responsibility to pay into the General
Employee Pension Plan.
H. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR is entitled to attend, without prior approval of the
CITY, all Florida League of Cities annual convention/meetings; ICMA meetings;
FCCMA meetings; FES meetings, and other similar professional meetings,
located within the State of Florida. Any out of State meetings must be approved
by the City Council in advance. All payments made under this section shall be on
a reimbursable basis; provided that receipts and other sufficient documentation
have been submitted to the CITY. Mileage, meals and hotel reimbursement shall
be at the rate consistent with Section 112.061 Florida Statutes.
SECTION 7: INDEMNITY.
The CITY agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless CITY
ADMINISTRATOR from any and all claims that may arise out of CITY
ADMINISTRATOR’S employment with CITY acting in his role as CITY
ADMINISTRATOR; Provided that he is acting within the scope, terms and
conditions of his employment. While acting in that capacity, the CITY shall
provide insurance coverage to protect and defend CITY ADMINISTRATOR from
Page 6 of 8
and against tort, professional liability claims, including for engineering services
provided to the CITY, claims of demand or other legal action, whether groundless
or otherwise, which arises out of an alleged act or omission occurring in the
performance of CITY ADMINISTRATOR duties, unless he acted in bad faith with
malicious purpose, or in a manner which exhibits wanton and willful disregard of
human rights, safety or property.
That CITY shall not be responsible or liable for t he acts or omissions of CITY
ADMINISTRATOR committed while acting outside the course and scope of his
agreed duties and job description, or any services provided to CITY as a
professional engineer. In such instance, CITY ADMINISTRATOR shall reimburse
the CITY for any legal fees and expenses incurred for or on his behalf, in
connection with the charged conduct.
That all of these mutual obligations shall extend beyond the termination of his
employment at CITY so long as the claim arose while employed.
The CITY may compromise and settle any such claim or suit, without consent or
further involvement of CITY ADMINISTRATOR. Nothing herein shall be
construed to be a waiver or extension of the sovereign immunity limitations of
liability possessed by CITY by state or federal law.
SECTION 8: RESIDENCE.
As a condition to this employment, the CITY ADMINISTRATOR shall maintain his
primary residence within Okeechobee County, Florida.
SECTION 9: TERMINATION AND SEVERANCE.
A. This contract of employment contemplates that the term of employment is for 5
years, and that either party may elect to not renew the term of employment by
providing ninety (90) days’ notice prior to the ending date of the contract. In the
event the CITY were to terminate employment of the CITY ADMINISTRATOR at
any other time during the contract period without cause, the CITY
ADMINISTRATOR shall be entitled to receive severance pay, which shall be:
Severance pay shall be ninety (90) days of CITY ADMINISTRATOR base annual
salary, 100 percent of accrued annual leave up to 240.0 hours, and 100 percent
of accrued sick leave.
In the event the CITY ADMINISTRATOR is terminated for cause; leaves
employment in violation of the notice requirements of this contract; or there is not
a renewal of the contract, then all rights to severance pay (minus the accrued
annual and sick leave above) are forfeited. All other accrued and unused benefits
shall be paid to the CITY ADMINISTRATOR regardless of the manner of
separation, as previously set forth. The City Council reserves the right to waive
strict compliance to this section upon just cause, as determined solely within the
discretion of the City Council with pay, however all accrued earned benefits
during employment as well and vested pension are to remain intact.
Page 7 of 8
B. This Agreement may be terminated by the CITY at any time for cause upon 3/5
affirmative vote of the City Council. The term “cause” shall be defined from time
to time as set forth under then current Florida law; and may include, but not be
limited to, a violation of any duty or contractual agreement set forth herein, any
ground set forth in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Employee Relations
Chapter, and in all events the failure of the CITY ADMINISTRATOR to perform
any of the duties as provided and required by this agreement. Termination
without cause shall require a 4/5 affirmative vote of the City Council, as provided
by ordinance.
C. Upon a termination for cause or without cause, the employment shall be
considered terminated as of the time of the vote, and no further notice of intent to
terminate shall be required to be provided to the CITY ADMINISTRATOR.
D. In the event of termination for cause, the CITY ADMINISTRATOR shall receive
no severance or dismissal benefit or any other benefit other than earned and
unused annual or compensation as permitted for unused sick leave or annual
leave as set out in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Leave Benefits
Chapter as written or hereafter as amended.
E. The CITY shall have the right for cause as defined, to suspend the CITY
ADMINISTRATOR with or without pay, for his actions or inactions. Additional
grounds for suspension shall include arrest or information against the CITY
ADMINISTRATOR charging them with a felony, or any other crime involving
moral turpitude. The decision to suspend the length of suspension may be solely
and immediately by the Mayor, but shall be affirmed or denied by majority vote of
the City Council at the next regular meeting or a special meeting.
SECTION 11: GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. If any article or part thereof contained herein is held to be unconstitutional,
invalid, or unenforceable, it shall be deemed severable, and the remainder of this
Agreement shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
B. The foregoing sets out the full understanding of the parties, subsumes any and
all oral understandings or representations of the parties, and shall not be
hereafter altered or amended except by further written agreement signed by all
parties.
C. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR expressly acknowledges that they have read and
voluntarily signed this Agreement, and agrees that no oral agreements or
representations; other written promises; side agreements or assurances or other
inducements have been made by the CITY, its officials, employe es or agents,
other than what is specifically contained within the four corners of this written
Employment Service Agreement. Further, the CITY ADMINISTRATOR
acknowledges that this Agreement has been fully reviewed by him; that it is
completely understood; that he has consulted with private counsel or had the
opportunity to do so and voluntarily opt not to do so.
Page 8 of 8
D. The parties hereto mutually renounce any rights or claim they may have against
the other by agreement or by any statute to claim or collect attor ney’s fees from
the other for claims or litigation arising out of the interpretation or enforcement of
this Agreement.
E. This Agreement shall be construed according to the laws of the State of Florida;
and for any claim, action or suit, the parties stipulate that venue therefore shall
be at all times Okeechobee County, Florida.
F. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR understands and agrees, that for any decision
permitted herein by the CITY as it pertains to the performance, suspension, or
continued employment of the CITY ADMINISTRATOR, it is strictly and absolutely
within the sole complete discretion of the City Council, and that CITY
ADMINISTRATOR covenants and agrees that he absolutely waives, and shall
not challenge the exercise of such discretion in any claim, demand, action, suit or
proceedings brought by the CITY due to such decision.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties have made and executed this Agreement of the
respective dates under such signature below, including that of the City of Okeechobee,
Florida, acting by and through its City Council, and Mayor who is authorized to execute
this agreement on behalf of the CITY, as attested by the City Clerk.
As to the CITY: As to the CITY ADMINISTRATOR:
___________________________ ________________________________
Dowling R. Watford Jr., Mayor Marcos Montes De Oca, P.E.
ATTEST: Date:____________________________
____________________________
Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
_________________________________
John R. Cook, City Attorney
Approved by City Council: ______________________________