The Miami City Commission on Thursday approved Mayor Eileen Higgins’ choice of James Reyes to lead the City of Miami’s often fractious government. Reyes starts his new job on Monday.
The Miami City Commission on Thursday ratified Eileen Higgins’ first big move as Miami’s newly elected mayor – the appointment of veteran public safety official James Reyes to manage the city’s $3.7 billion government and its 4,800 employees.
Higgins nominated Reyes as her choice for city manager late last month, following her election victory. The two had worked together at Miami-Dade County, where Higgins was one of 13 commissioners and Reyes was the chief of public safety.
With the commission’s 4-to-1 vote behind him, Reyes will step into his new job on Monday, replacing current City Manager Art Noriega. As city manager, Reyes will earn $475,000 a year with benefits, including a car and a cell phone provided by the city.
Commissioner Ralph Rosado cast the sole dissenting vote, after floating the possibility of appointing Reyes in an “interim” capacity. The suggestion gained no traction, however, and the appointment was easily approved.
Before the vote, Reyes introduced himself to commissioners publicly for the first time, saying he was a product of Miami, having grown up in the city after arriving from Cuba with his family in 1979. That history has shaped his loyalties and outlook, he said.
“It was the working class, to a certain degree even the middle class, that built the City of Miami,” Reyes said. “You have my word that my priority will be to reestablish a focus and an increased level of service to our residents in the City of Miami – all of our residents.”
Like the mayor who chose him, Reyes promised to change the culture at City Hall and instill a work ethic that prioritizes customer service.
“The talent here in the City of Miami is second to none… but with that said, I do look to bring a different type of leadership in my capacity as city manager that prioritizes service to our residents in our community,” Reyes said. “Customer service is something that we are going to focus on, because our residents deserve no less.”
In other business Thursday, the City Commission:
- Approved a resolution setting the new mayor’s salary at $97,000 a year – the same compensation that former Mayor Francis Suarez received.
- Reappointed City Attorney George Wysong and City Clerk Todd Hannon to their jobs.
- Approved a resolution directing the city attorney to prepare a charter amendment to move commission elections to even-numbered years, starting in 2032.
If voters approve the proposed charter amendment, the citywide election now scheduled for November 2031 would be delayed by a year, so that all subsequent elections would coincide with state and federal elections.
Proponents say the move would save money and boost voter turnout, but it would also give the five district commissioners elected in 2027 and 2029 an extra year in office.
That may prove to be a tough sell.
When commissioners voted last year to delay the November 2025 election by a year, residents objected, in part because the move would have given sitting commissioners an extra year in office, without a public vote.
Opponents went to court and blocked the move.
This time around, Miami District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo and Rosado, the sponsors of the proposed amendment, plan to seek voter approval for the shift, and the extra year.
Initially, they sought to adjust the election calendar for all commissioners and the mayor, but Higgins objected on Thursday, asking instead that any reference to the mayor be stripped from the measure.
The commission agreed, and the revised language was approved on a 4-to-1 vote, with Commissioner Miguel Gabela voting no.
Higgins supports even-year elections, but wants to make the shift in a way that takes away a year from those in office.
During her campaign, Higgins said she would be willing to give up a year of her four-year term so the city’s mayoral election in 2029 could be moved up to 2028.
Regarding the reappointment of the city attorney, Pardo was asked earlier in the week whether the action – which is required by the city’s charter after each of the city’s general elections – signaled the new mayor’s support for Wysong.
“We can assume that. I think that’s fair,” Pardo said during a call with constituents.
But, he added, “that doesn’t mean there won’t be a change in the future.”
Pardo said he was pleased to date with the mayor’s approach to her new job.
“I think it has been very smooth and very reasonable, meaning, let’s keep everything productive and moving, and then as we go, let’s reassess everything, really understand what we’re talking about, and then make the changes we need to make,” he said.
“I am certain changes will be made. That’s normal with a new administration. But I am encouraged that it is thoughtful, and it’s planned.”
