Doral city manager resigns after claiming retaliation for refusing to be a ‘puppet’
In the latest political confrontation in the City of Doral, City Manager Rey Valdes, a former Miami-Dade police officer, resigned Monday night during a special council meeting to discuss his job performance and salary reduction.
Five minutes before the agenda item was to be addressed, Valdes, who was hired as city manager in June, submitted his resignation letter.
“This proposed reduction in pay has nothing to do with my job performance but is retaliation for refusing to be the puppet of certain council members,” Valdes told the council. “The financial burden of this reduction would have resulted in some senior staff members earning more than myself, which would be unjust and unacceptable.”
According to public records, Valdes was hired with an annual salary of $245,000, approved by a 3-2 vote with the support of council members Maureen Porras, Digna Cabral, and Vice Mayor Oscar Puig-Corve. Mayor Christi Fraga and Councilman Rafael Pineyro opposed the appointment. At the time, Porras defended the salary, noting that the council had been prepared to offer up to $300,000 to attract the right candidate.
Two weeks earlier, on Sept. 17, a special meeting called by Porras to discuss Valdes’ salary and performance was canceled due to a lack of quorum. On that day, Porras expressed confidence in Valdes’ ability to succeed in the role, citing his experience as deputy city manager. She said “he needs a little guidance and should take the time to learn and listen to certain things.” On Monday night Porras said the proposed salary reduction was due to “inefficiencies” in his performance.
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Porras was ready to propose a $29,000 salary reduction, setting Valdes’ pay at 5% above that of the assistant city manager, who earns $206,000. The reduction would bring Valdes’ salary below that of predecessor Barbara “Barbie” Hernandez, who made $238,442 before being fired by the council in January amid allegations of a conflict of interest.
In his letter to the council, Valdes said that during his three-month tenure he faced significant disagreements with Cabral and Porras, especially regarding personnel decisions. He said the council members wanted to terminate several employees for reasons unrelated to their job performance.
“The non-work-related cause for termination proposed by the council members was solely based on the fact that they were appointed by former City Manager Barbara “Barbie” Hernandez who in turn was appointed by Mayor Fraga,” Valdes said. “During a budget meeting with Councilwoman Cabral, she advised me that if I did not terminate the employment of the City’s Chief Financial Officer, she would take official action as a council member to have my salary reduced.”
Valdes told the Miami Herald that the council members had requested he fire about half-dozen employees, ranging from high-level administration officials to receptionists. “They didn’t want to eliminate the positions, just to fire those specific employees,” he said.
At the meeting, Cabral said she had told Valdes changes were needed in several departments. “It’s my right, not to fire anyone but to evaluate where the costs are going.”
READ MORE: Doral accuses Miami-Dade of acting in ‘bad faith’ in garbage incinerator negotiations
Porras denied to the Herald instructing Valdes to fire city employees. “What I did mention were several issues that concerned me, particularly in the IT department,” she said, referencing a ‘data breach’ involving council members that occurred in January. She added that one of her main concerns was Valdes’ lack of direct involvement in supervising department activities.
“There were several times when he needed to take more initiative in understanding what was happening within the departments and make decisions accordingly. I wanted him to take on a more active managerial role because, ultimately, he is the City Manager,” Porras said. “I also expected more participation in city events to observe how these events were being organized and run.”
Valdes’ resignation marks another administration change in what has been a tumultuous year for the city, with four city managers in just eight months. Fraga criticized the city’s lack of continuity and progress. “These three council members will continue to fire people that do not do what they want,” she said.
Valdes asked the council whether they preferred he provide the city with a 90-day notice or have his resignation take immediate effect. In a 4-1 vote the council agreed his last day will be Dec. 31.
Other action
In an almost six-hour meeting spanning two sessions, the city approved a motion to continue negotiations with the county regarding the relocation of an incinerator outside city limits and a new budget.
The incinerator negotiation followed a setback at a Miami-Dade Commission meeting. The county requested a $400 million contribution from Doral — far surpassing the $20 million the city council offered as part of a 30-year commitment to fund the relocation.
READ MORE: Doral accuses Miami-Dade of acting in ‘bad faith’ in garbage incinerator negotiations
The new budget, set at $137.5 million, included amendments proposed by Porras featuring a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees and the possibility of up to a 6.5% merit increase.
READ MORE: Vice mayor’s absence leaves Doral council deadlocked on 2025 budget
The new budget will also eliminate the mayor’s outreach coordinator position and a clerical aide role in the city manager’s office. Additional cuts will affect the public affairs department, including reduced funding for promotional activities and advertising.
The budget was ultimately approved in a 3-2 vote. Porras, Cabral and Puig-Corve voted in favor, while Fraga and Pineyro voted against.
This story was originally published October 1, 2024 at 10:37 AM.
