North Miami approves employment contract for incoming city manager after contentious debate

The North Miami City Council on Tuesday voted to authorize an employment agreement with Teresa Therolis as the city manager, approving terms that include a $350,000 starting salary, a four-year term with automatic annual renewals, expanded benefits and detailed severance provisions.

Council members voted 3-1 to approve the agreement after more than three hours of public comment and council discussion that focused on pay, retirement benefits and exit terms. The Council authorized staff to execute an agreement that lists an Aug. 4, 2025, start date and an initial base salary of $350,000 with a guaranteed minimum 3% annual increase.

City attorney's outside counsel Brett Schneider outlined the key economic terms for the council: participation in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) (senior management class) and a 10% employer contribution to an ICMA-defined contribution account; allowances of $850 per month for automobile use, $250 per month for a cell phone and $850 per month as a general expense allowance; and health and dental coverage for the manager and dependents at no cost to the manager. Schneider also summarized leave provisions: the manager would receive three weeks of sick leave and four weeks of vacation and holiday leave front-loaded each year, a one-time 96-hour paid leave allocation on commencement and stepped increases to annual leave accrual that would add one week per year for four years (capping after year four).

The agreement’s termination provisions prompted extended council questioning. As described to the council, a termination without cause would entitle the manager to 20 weeks of severance pay plus the city’s retirement contributions for that period; termination for “good reason” tied to material changes in duties or salary would trigger 16 weeks of severance. Termination for cause would preclude severance. The agreement requires 90 days’ notice before termination and provides the manager a meeting after 90 days to respond.

Council members and public commenters expressed sharply divergent views. Several residents said the proposed pay and benefits were excessive for North Miami; others urged the council to rehire a manager with prior experience in North Miami and strong regional connections. Councilman Kevin Burns and others pushed for stronger limits on the automatic renewal and severance language; Councilwoman Mary Esmey Irvin and others supported the hire, stressing the candidate’s prior performance and relationships that they said would help the city secure grants and manage large projects. Interim Chief Financial Officer Angela Reyes told the council the city could accommodate the package in the upcoming budget process with council direction.

Attorney Dottie Joseph, representing the candidate, urged the council to view Therolis’s credentials and to recognize the competitiveness of the market for experienced managers. During public comment, some residents asked for a shorter initial term and for the council to reserve renewal approval instead of automatic renewal; those changes were discussed but the approved package retained a four-year term with annual automatic renewals.

A motion to approve the employment agreement at Tab G passed 3-1. The council directed staff to correct two scrivener’s errors that counsel identified (the start date references) and to bring implementing pension ordinance amendments if needed. Therolis addressed the council afterward and thanked members for the opportunity.