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North Lauderdale to publish full payroll after public outcry over commissioners' pay increases
Summary
Following weeks of public criticism and a recall push over recent pay and benefits changes, the City Commission voted to include a complete list of city employee salaries as an appendix to the FY2026 proposed budget.
The City of North Lauderdale Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 23 to direct the city manager and finance department to publish a complete payroll salary list for all individuals compensated by the city, to be included as an appendix to the fiscal year 2026 proposed budget.
The decision followed more than an hour of public comment focused on commissioners' pay, car allowances and perceived lack of transparency. “I was shocked and disappointed to learn that the commission voted to triple their own salaries, plus thousands more in car allowances,” resident Stan Serleoff said during public comments. Speakers pressed the commission to reverse or reduce pay changes approved at a July 29 meeting and to restore limits on salary increases.
The meeting also included a formal announcement of a recall effort. “On the Florida statute, 100.361, the people have the power, and we will use it to recall every elected official who betrayed our trust,” said Manalek Solomon Balthazar, speaking for the North Lauderdale Recall Committee.
City Manager Sargent told the commission the payroll listing is already public record and that including it as an appendix would make it part of the budget booklet the city posts and submits. “When we post it on the website, it will be the budget book, and then it’ll say appendix A or B... and it’ll say employee salary list,” Sargent said.
Commissioners supported the resolution without recorded objections; the roll call showed four votes in favor with one member absent. The city manager said the appendix will meet the budget-book formatting requirements and be published with the FY2026 proposed budget.
The vote follows sustained public attention in recent weeks; residents at the Sept. 23 meeting pressed the commission on reserve use, consultant contracts and benefits that speakers described as excessive. Supporters of the commission also spoke during public comments, and several residents urged civility in public discourse.
The payroll appendix will be prepared by the finance department and included in the material the city posts with the proposed FY2026 budget. The commission did not vote on rescinding or altering previously approved pay changes during the Sept. 23 meeting.
