Margate City Commission.
Margate commissioners and other city personnel will see a four percent salary increase starting October 1.
During the July 10 meeting, the commission approved a resolution to increase the base wage for members, non-union personnel, part-time employees, and senior management. Margate commissioners earn about $40,000 annually.
During public comments, some residents complained that commissioners were giving themselves pay increases. One woman called it an abuse of power, while another questioned the pay increase while residents struggled to pay rent. Two women said the commissioners should not get a raise, but the police should see a pay increase.
Following one complaint, Mayor Tommy Ruzzano said some of the criticism offended him. “Sitting up here, we make $40,000 and are targets. I don’t do this because of the money; I do this because of my passion and love for the city and how I want to improve it,” he said.
Ruzzano said he has received calls from residents late at night and faced criticism for various reasons. “I go out and buy a new truck. I get investigated. People are looking at me through a microscope,” he said.
Commissioner Antonio Arserio said, “We lose money doing this job.”
Commissioner Anthony Caggiano said he has advocated for money for the police department.
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