Miami could consolidate NET into commissioners’ offices under next year’s budget
Miami commissioners could transform the way city residents request basic administrative services by consolidating the functions of Neighborhood Enhancement Teams into district offices run by elected commissioners.
The concept, introduced by Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla during a discussion on the city’s budget Thursday evening, is a response to the city administration’s proposal to close six of 13 NET offices. The proposed closures are part of the city’s efforts to find savings in a $1.1 billion spending plan while facing major revenue declines during the COVID-19 economic slowdown.
NET offices serve as mini city halls spread out across the city, administrative hubs where people can obtain forms and certain permits, report litter and handle other issues that would otherwise require a trip downtown. The NET system has faced cuts in past budget crises. A decade ago, when the city faced a $118 million budget hole, the city scaled back services in NET and other departments.
This year, the city is projecting a shortfall of more than $20 million after severe dips in revenues from sales tax, parking fees and other direct payments to the city during the pandemic. The budget hole could deepen further next year if property values drop in a slumping economy.
City Manager Art Noriega first discussed Diaz de la Portilla’s idea earlier in the week during a budget briefing. On Thursday, the commissioner said the consolidation could save millions.
“Do we want to have a more streamlined system where we have district offices that are directly accountable to the people that they elect?” Diaz de la Portilla said when he opened the discussion. “Or do we continue to have this convoluted, bloated system that doesn’t work? I think it’s a good conversation to have. Change is sometimes difficult.”
Commissioners instructed Noriega to research the concept, the breakdown of the projected savings, and what would happen to personnel who currently work in NET offices.
The plan to close six NET offices was included in the proposed budget signed by Noriega and Mayor Francis Suarez. Commissioners gave initial approval to the plan in a 4-1 vote Thursday. Commissioner Joe Carollo voted against the budget, saying he received printed budget books five hours before the commission meeting and did not have time to study the proposal.
“This is a major undertaking. You have to determine a lot of things,” Noriega said toward the end of Thursday’s virtual meeting. “Obviously there is a level of service concern. There are a number of human resources issues to address as well.”
Commissioners Keon Hardemon and Carollo said they thought the concept had merit and wanted to see the details in a more formal proposal. Commissioner Manolo Reyes said he supported the goal of efficiency, though he expressed concerns about losing employees in the transition and requested details on the impacts to employees.
Commissioner Ken Russell said he’s willing to hear out the details and consider reform, and he recounted times he’s been thankful to have well-operated NET offices while acknowledging bureaucratic red tape can sometimes make it hard for constituents who take their issues straight to commissioners.
“I want to understand whether we’re trying to address solely the financial crunch, or if we really see an operational opportunity to improve how the residents are served, because obviously I’m in favor of addressing both.”
Before the consolidation idea was made public during the meeting, Many people submitted recorded comments asking commissioners to preserve the NET system, saying they consider the offices easy to access for average citizens who need city services.
Under the overall budget that passed on the first vote, the city would cut more than 100 vacant jobs and a little more than a dozen filled positions, which would result in a number of layoffs for the workforce of more than 4,000 municipal employees.
This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 6:26 PM.
