City costs are estimated at $23.6 million
In his fight for the annexation of Little Gables, which looks more difficult after Tuesday’s meeting than before, Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago wants to keep his own city’s residents from voicing their opinion.
He must know they don’t like the idea.
Lago actually said Tuesday that it would be a “mistake” to let the residents vote on the annexation.
“We should trust in ourselves, as elected officials, to move the process forward and make the right decision,” Lago said. “We can’t vote on everything based on referendum. That’s not why we’re here. We’re here to make decisions and move this forward, or vote against it if that’s the case.”
When he was pushing for a November city election, Lago said it was better to have more people vote. Now, he doesn’t want the people to vote. Not on this.
Read related: Vince Lago has conflict of interest with High Pines, Little Gables annexations
Maybe it’s because Tuesday’s meeting also provided commissioners with a report on the annexations, and one glaring detail was the cost. In just the first year, the city would spend $5.6 million in making Little Gables more like Coral Gables. The one-time costs would include sidewalks, lighting and improvements to San Jacinto Park.
Over the course of five years, the city would invest a total of $23.6 million.
Tax revenue from Little Gables properties would pay for some of that. And City Manager Peter Iglesias said they had not taken into account the “revitalization expected on the 8th street corridor.” He means the complex that is going to go up in place of the trailer park.
But the first five years are expected to produce less revenue than what it would cost the city to serve the area. The numbers reflect that Coral Gables would be in the hole for $9.9 million in the first five years.
Commissioner Melissa Castro wanted to know past the five years what it would cost the city. Commissioner Ariel Fernandez said it seemed the Gables would pay for Little Gables “in perpetuity.”
Lago — who is hard core pro annexation — said that the costs were not as important as finishing off the border at 8th Street for public safety reasons.
Read related: Surprise! Voting has started for Little Gables annexation to Coral Gables
“While cost is an issue, there is nothing more important than ensuring public safety.” Lago said.
“It’s an investment in the future of the city. Every good investment does not bear fruit in the first year, or two, or three or four. It takes five, six, seven, 10 years to get things done the right way. And this is an investment worth making, based on the fact of public safety.”
Maybe. But it’s not your money to invest, Mr. Mayor. That is the people’s money. Shouldn’t they get a say in how to spend it? Shouldn’t Coral Gables residents decide if they want to annex Little Gables?
Commissioner Fernandez thinks so.
“This was something that Coral Gables residents asked over the last year that they be part of the process. We should give an opportunity to the residents we represent to take a vote on this issue and give their opinion on what is happening,” Fernandez said.
Read related: Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago, con ganas, pushes annexations on fast track
“This is going to cost the residents of Coral Gables. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how conservative we are. Coral Gables taxpayer dollars from current residents are not going to go to fix their sidewalks, fix their potholes, replace the tree canopy on their streets or tackling historic preservation.
“They’re going to go now to making up the difference in Little Gables.”
He made a motion for staff to present a plan in December with options for how the residents of Coral Gables could vote, through a mail-in ballot or a survey, for instance. It passed.
“I promised residents of Coral Gables that they would have a say in this matter,” said Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, who was elected in April. While campaigning this year, Fernandez said, he heard a common sentiment: “Little Gables residents should have an opportunity to vote, but so should we.”
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