Opa-locka approves city manager contract for Steve Shiver

The Opa-locka city commision approved a 30-month contract for new city manager Steve Shiver at a special commission meeting Friday despite residents’ criticism of the choice.

In 2010, Miami-Dade County auditors lambasted Shiver, who played a role in what they called a squandering of millions of public tax dollars that was supposed to go toward rebuilding Homestead after Hurricane Andrew.

“We are being raped without being touched,” said former Opa-locka Commissioner Steve Barrett during public comment. He emphasized that the city needed to “do a background check” before signing any papers and added that the details of the legal document did not protect the city.

The dais approved Shiver’s contract 3 to 2. Vice Mayor Timothy Holmes and Commissioner Joseph Kelley voted down the resolution saying the rush for signatures sent a bad message.

“What is the hurry to get it done?” Kelley said. “With the salary of $150,000, I am challenged by that, given the situation we are in.”

The city has a budget deficit of $500,000. Commissioner Terence Pinder, who was in charge of negotiating Shiver’s contract felt the budget’s Oct. 1 looming deadline was enough of a reason.

“This board has the obligations for this community,” Pinder said. “It is time for us to move forward with the right people.”

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 9:54 PM with the headline "Opa-locka approves city manager contract for Steve Shiver."