Tampa Bay Business Journal by Mark Holan, Staff Writer
Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 5:41pm EST
The Tampa Port Authority The Tampa Port Authority Latest from The Business Journals Two schools of thought on executive raisesAviation Authority’s Burton leads in voting abstentionsTampa Port board proposes joint lobbying deal for transportation agencies Follow this company board’s decision to approve a 7 percent pay increase for port director Richard Wainio appears to end, for now at least, efforts to oust Wainio from the agency he has helmed since 2005. It also seems to close a year of contentious debate about executive pay and performance at some of Tampa’s most visible public agencies related to economic development and transportation.
The Port of Tampa Maritime Industries Association Port of Tampa Maritime Industries Association Latest from The Business Journals Philip Hale nearing contract deal with HARTTampa Port Authority to discuss director’s contractScott picks two for Tampa port board Follow this company led the public effort to remove Wainio. There were Tampa business leaders who also attempted to scuttle Wainio’s contract, and weren’t shy about contacting the media – but preferred staying off the record with those concerns.
Wainio’s pay increase to $268,500 a year includes a 1.5 percent cost of living adjustment, which he previously declined when it was given to other port employees in January. Wainio’s pay has not been increased in three years.
The new contract also increases the port’s contribution to Wainio’s retirement account by $4,000 a year to $49,000, and boosts his monthly car allowance by $100 to $750. The car allowance has not been increased since Wainio arrived at the port.
While the final vote was unanimous, it came after months of wrangling over whether to extend Wainio’s contract.
Port board member Patrick H. Allman, general manager of Odyssey Manufacturing Co., offered several last-minute amendments to tighten the deal. Allman and Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra Murman in September voted against Wainio’s two-year contract extension.
Their effort Tuesday to limit Wainio to only a 1 percent increase received no support for other board members.
One of the tweaks provides paying only Wainio’s out of pocket expenses for his family health insurance up to $39,000 a year. The director does not belong to the port insurance plan.
“This is not a windfall,” Wainio said. “I’m not getting free insurance and pocketing the money.
Another last minute change added language that Wainio can be dismissed for “willful misconduct” rather than “for cause.”
The board rejected Allman’s proposal to create performance measurements for Wainio that were not mutually agreed upon.
Murman said the pay increase sends the wrong message to “Joe and Mary in Riverview” who are worried about paying bills in a tough economy.
But board member Carl Lindell Jr., owner and chairman of real estate firm Lindell Investments, argued that board squabbling was sending the wrong message to Wainio, who could have his pick of other port jobs, including an opening in South Florida.
“We could jeopardize the port,” Lindell said. “He still makes less than many directors and we could loose him over a few dollars.”
Mayor Bob Buckhorn, while asking about a few details of Wainio’s contract, was mostly silent during the debate.
Last month Buckhorn and Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist voted against a $50,000 raise for Tampa International Airport Tampa International Airport Latest from The Business Journals Two schools of thought on executive raises2011 Up & Comers: Chris MinnerCuban diplomats’ visit to Tampa canceled Follow this company chief executive Joe Lopano, Miller’s replacement, who took the job in January.
Three private sector members of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Latest from The Business Journals New voting policy for Hillsborough County Aviation board on runwayConnections of the WeekAviation Authority’s Burton leads in voting abstentions Follow this company board, lead by Tampa attorney Steven Burton, pushed to give the raise to Lopano, who finally declined the increase.
At the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority Latest from The Business Journals 2011 Up & Comers: James FogartyPhilip Hale nearing contract deal with HARTRapid Staffing wins HART’s small business award Follow this company , Philip R. Hale quietly replaced former chief executive David Armijo, who was fired amid allegations he intimidated some employees, gave special treatment to others and misused small amounts of travel money.
Armijo was paid $185,000 annually. Hale just got a $150,000 contract.
