Miami-Dade library execs make big bucks

"It's a huge sh*t sandwich, and we're all gonna have to take a bite." -Lt. Lockhart, in Full Metal Jacket, 1987

News item: Seeking to close a $400 million budget gap, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s budget proposal, which includes a laundry list of cuts, features one particularly tough measure: shuttering 13 libraries across Greater Miami.

[...]

The reductions would save about $18 million, while eliminating 191 jobs in an overall plan that eliminates 1,292 positions countywide.

[...]

“This is one of the most difficult things any of us have had to do,” said Library Director Raymond Santiago. “But it is a tough time, and tough choices were made.” -Miami Herald article, July, 14, 2011

Library director Santiago is correct; these are tough times.

The cutbacks will be painful for many of the library system's patrons. Thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of library users - many of them from low income families - will have to adjust.

Some will travel a little farther to find a library. Hopefully when they get there, it will still be open. Some library hours will be shortened because of the cutbacks. And some patrons will have to wait a little longer to use a computer.

Library patrons are not the only ones affected.

The Herald story says that the mayor's plan calls for 191 jobs to be cut in an overall plan that eliminates 1,292 positions countywide.

Painful, to be sure.

But, will the pain reach those those in library management?

The most recent figures show that there are 13 people in the county library system who make over $100,000 a year.

Library Director Raymond Santiago - who spoke so eloquently to the Herald of "tough times and tough choices" - earns slightly less than $200,000 a year.  In addition, he receives almost $10,000 a year in "executive benefits" and a $6,500 annual car allowance.

In all, the library system's top earners take home a combined $1,660,357 a year according to the most recent figures available. (See chart below)

Their executive benefits total almost $42,000 a year. And the total for their car allowances is $16,250 annually. 

Tough times...for some, but not all.

Maybe some of those losing their library jobs can work at the new Marlins Stadium. Just a thought.

Click chart to enlarge.