Miami Beach hires Raul Aguila as new city attorney

Miami Beach has a new city attorney: Raul Aguila.

Commissioners unanimously picked Aguila to lead the city’s legal department at a special meeting on Wednesday evening.

“I promise to continue to do my best and to give this city 200 percent,” Aguila told commissioners.

Aguila fills the vacancy left by the departure of Jose Smith, who announced his resignation last week to accept the city attorney position in North Miami Beach. Smith’s last day is May 16. He has been city attorney for eight years and previously served as many years as a Beach commissioner.

“You applied good common sense and fine legal analysis,” Commissioner Jonah Wolfson told Smith. “You deserve our full honor and respect.”

Aguila has worked in Miami Beach’s legal department since 1993, according to his city biography. The commissioners did not discuss his new salary package. His current salary is $232,800.

Smith’s total compensation is about $324,000 annually.

This story was originally published April 9, 2014 at 6:29 PM with the headline "Miami Beach hires Raul Aguila as new city attorney."