Airport board OKs pay raise for Wuellner Executive director gets new contract

Airport board OKs pay raise for Wuellner

Executive director gets new contract

By DOUGLAS JORDAN
Special to The Record
Publication Date: 07/15/08

The St. Augustine/St. Johns County Airport Authority voted 4-1 Monday to approve a pay raise for Airport Executive Director Ed Wuellner that will include a provision for an additional financial reward for accomplishing goals to be determined by the board.

Wuellner currently makes just under $114,000 annually. Under the new contract, his base salary would increase to $128,000, with added incentive payments from the board.

"Ed knows what he's doing," member Jack Gorman said. "And he's done a good job. He should be rewarded for that."

Citing a desire to provide a "carrot" for Wuellner, Gorman initially proposed a flat incentive amount of $20,000 "for completing a board-determined task."

Board member Wayne George agreed that an incentive program was a good idea. He also praised Wuellner for his efforts to keep the airport on track for getting off the tax roll by the 2010-11 fiscal year.

"What does it cost to keep him?" George asked. "And what would it cost us if he were to leave?"

George said Wuellner deserves more than "just a cost-of-living increase," adding that he should be rewarded for achieving goals set forth by the board.

"Incentives inspire performance," George said. "Let's make sure this well-oiled machine keeps running."

Member Randy Brunson, who was the lone dissenting vote against the contract, said he too believed that Wuellner should get a raise, but that he did not agree with the particular wording of the contract.

"It should be somewhat more than the cost of living," Brunson said. "But we have to be responsible."

Member Kelly Barrera and chairwoman Suzanne Green both supported the idea of merit pay, and Barrera pointed out that at similar-sized airports in the state, Wuellner's salary was on the low side.

George motioned for the passage of the increase, seconded by Gorman.

The contract will be retroactive from July 1.


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