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North Lauderdale shortens medical director contract and approves pay increase discussion
Summary
The City Commission amended a proposed three-year contract for Fire Rescue's medical director to two years with a one-year renewal option and approved an increase to the proposed pay, citing competitiveness with neighboring cities. The change was approved by unanimous roll call.
The City Commission of North Lauderdale on Tuesday amended a proposed contract with Dr. Antonio Gendia to provide medical-director services for the city's Fire Rescue Department, shortening the term and approving an increase to the salary proposed in the staff resolution.
City staff presented the resolution authorizing an agreement with Dr. Antonio Gendia at an annual cost not to exceed $40,000. The city's fire chief described Dr. Gendia as the department's medical director for more than 20 years and said peer jurisdictions pay an average of about $54,000, which prompted commissioners to consider a shorter term and higher compensation to remain competitive.
During discussion, one commissioner asked to reduce the contract length from three years to two years with a one-year renewal option, saying, “I would like to go for 2 years and then, bring it up for another year, renewal option.” Another commissioner proposed a larger salary increase and explicitly suggested raising the pay toward $45,000. The mayor and the city attorney confirmed that changes to term and salary would need Dr. Gendia's agreement and could be recorded in the motion.
A motion to amend the resolution to the two-year term with a one-year optional renewal and to increase the proposed annual pay was moved and seconded; the commission recorded unanimous approval by roll call. The amendment was approved as a matter of contract terms; the resolution and final contract will be executed only if Dr. Gendia accepts the amended terms.
Why it matters: The amendment reflects commissioners' intent to keep the city's medical oversight competitive with neighboring jurisdictions while preserving flexibility through a shorter initial contract period. The commission recorded the change publicly and instructed staff to finalize contract language and obtain the provider's agreement.
What happens next: Staff will finalize the contract language for Dr. Gendia and return any necessary documentation to the commission or for execution by the city manager, subject to the doctor's acceptance.
