Pension Plan Reforms

Timeline of Events

General Employee (GE) Pension Plan Reforms and City of North Miami Beach vs. General Employee Retirement Committee civil suit:

  • September 11, 2013 - Ordinance 2013-15 (PDF) adopted
    • Changing pension plan benefits affecting all AFSCME participants and any unrepresented participants;
    • Removing 66-2/3% Approval of Participants provision Section 1.05(a)(1) on plan amendments;
    • Changing second condition for plan amendments: "Report and Recommendation from City Manager and the actuary and/or any other pension board or consultant shall be required may be considered before the Plan may be amended by the City Council."
  • October 8, 2013 - GE Retirement Board votes to not implement/administer Ordinance 2013-15 until 66-2/3% of participants vote in favor, or a court decides otherwise.
  • November 7, 2013 - Civil suit filed by City against GE Retirement Board (Case 13-2013-CA-034654-0000-01)
  • December 3, 2013 - Ordinance 2013-19 (PDF) adopted: Changing pension plan benefits affecting only IUPA participants (10 Police PCOs).
  • January 6, 2014 - GE Retirement Board votes to not implement/administer Ordinance 2013-19 until 66-2/3% of participants vote in favor, or a court decides otherwise.
  • March 18, 2014 - 11th Circuit Court Judge Cardonne Ely ruled in favor of City of NMB; City had the right to pass Ordinance 2013-15 and directs GE Retirement Board to abide by said Ordinance. Transcript (PDF) of Summary Judgement Hearing.
  • March 26, 2014 - Final Summary Judgment (PDF) issued.
  • April 2, 2014 - Special GE Retirement Board Meeting and Shade Meeting.
    • Board decides to appeal decision regarding Ordinance 2013-15, however, will administer/implement the plan as per Ordinance 2013-15 (retroactive to the effective date).
    • Board will implement/administer Ordinance 2013-19 (retroactive to effective date) until such time as we receive an appellate decision on Ordinance 2013-15, and directing actuary, until further notice, to prepare 10/01/2013 Valuation Report according to Ordinances 2013-15 and 2013-19.
  • June 30, 2014 - Case No. 3D14-887 filed in 3rd District Court of Appeal
  • December 3, 2014 - Opinion filed by 3rd District Court of Appeal (PDF), affirming trial court's final summary judgement. Opinion currently not final, pending clarification.
  • December 9, 2014 - GE Retirement Board votes 4-0 to not pursue a rehearing in Appellate Court.

Documents From the Civil Suit