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Finance committee confirms one-year extension for Transit General Manager Justin Steunberg
Summary
The Finance Committee voted unanimously to confirm a one-year extension for Transit General Manager Justin Steunberg, a step the manager requested to allow a future review tied to an organizational compensation study and upcoming transit projects including the North–South BRT.
The City of Madison Finance Committee on Jan. 21 unanimously confirmed a one-year extension for Justin Steunberg as Transit General Manager.
Steunberg, who addressed the committee during the Item 2 confirmation discussion, said he requested a one-year extension so the mayor, council and he could “revisit in a year” and ensure he remained “the most effective leader for the organization” as Metro transitions from startup work to steady operations.
The committee’s discussion focused on Steunberg’s role in completing the ongoing transition of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service and on whether his experience launching major transit projects would remain an asset during the next phase of work. Steunberg said his background is “one of launching major new projects” and that an important part of the job is ensuring projects sustain themselves in “normalcy” after startup. He described the North–South BRT as primarily a construction project—different from the operational challenges of the East–West BRT—and said he planned to help position the agency to capitalize on any future regional transit authority if state legislation allows one.
Erin Hilson, identified in the meeting as Director, told the committee the city is midway through a citywide compensation study and expects a final Baker Tilly report around May. Hilson said Justin’s position showed, in a prior small survey, the lowest actual-to-market value among comparable positions—“about 68% in that study”—and that the one-year extension would allow the city to revisit compensation after the full study results are in.
Committee members asked whether Steunberg expected to remain beyond a year; several alderpersons expressed hope he would stay. Steunberg said his goal is to continue, but he asked for the one-year checkpoint so everyone could confirm it remains the right arrangement.
The committee moved and seconded confirmation of the appointment and, with no objection, recorded a unanimous vote in favor. The appointment still requires final action by the full Council.
ACTIONS: The committee recorded confirmation of Justin Steunberg for a one-year extension as Transit General Manager (Legistar 86622). The motion to confirm was moved and seconded; the committee recorded a unanimous vote in favor. The transcript does not list individual vote names.
