The Hospital Authority Board’s performance committee on an administrative call postponed final scoring of Dr. Christian Webb’s fiscal year 2024 performance review and directed staff to compile the CEO’s contract and compensation history, including prior third‑party compensation studies.

The chair of the committee opened the item by describing the evaluation materials as divided into three parts — fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024), fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025) and contract discussion for Dr. Webb’s agreement, which expires June 30, 2025. The chair said committee members should be able to meet one‑on‑one with the CEO before finalizing scores and proposed postponing the committee’s scoring until members have had those conversations and time to review documents.

Why it matters: The committee noted a history of irregular, lagging evaluations and uneven documentation. Committee members said timely, objective metrics — validated where appropriate by third parties — are necessary both to set future goals and to determine eligibility for contract‑based discretionary bonuses.

Committee discussion and next steps

Committee members agreed not to adopt major changes to the fiscal year 2025 metrics mid‑year, but to refine and finalize a clearer set of KPIs for fiscal year 2026 and beyond. Members discussed using examples from other local authorities, including Nashville Electric Service (NES) and the Nashville International Airport (BNA), as reference models for objective, third‑party‑verified metrics. Several members urged that criteria be clear before the start of the next fiscal year so expectations are known “before the game starts.”

On the contract review, the committee directed staff to compile: the complete history of Dr. Webb’s contract(s); records of prior evaluations and any third‑party compensation studies used historically; documentation of any bonus payments and the basis for those payments; and records of prior occasions when evaluations were missed and how the board remedied those lapses. The chief human resources officer told the committee the office “has the complete history” of evaluations and compensation and confirmed there was at least one period when no evaluation was completed and outside legal review was required.

Legal and procurement issues

Derek Naramore, serving as the committee’s Metro Legal representative, reminded members that the existing contract provides for cost‑of‑living salary adjustments and a discretionary bonus mechanism separate from salary increases; the current contract specifies a 5% discretionary award. He also flagged internal timing provisions in the contract: the committee noted a timeline for discussions before the June 30, 2025 expiration and referenced an internal March date by which conceptual decisions about amendments should be formed to allow the parties 90 days after June 30 to finalize amendments.

Members also discussed options if the board seeks an external executive search or compensation consultant. Committee staff said the authority has used B.E. Smith (now part of AMN) in prior searches; members asked staff to determine whether an existing Metro or hospital contract could be used to “piggyback” a search engagement or whether a new solicitation would be required under Metro procurement rules.

Scheduling and homework

To expedite work before spring deadlines, the committee agreed to add meetings and to circulate a clear list of homework and requested documents. The group moved one scheduled meeting date from Feb. 11 to Feb. 12 and tentatively set additional meetings on Jan. 21, Feb. 21 and March 17, with the chair asking staff to distribute a reading and action list in advance.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes from the Dec. 9 meeting — motion made and seconded; chair announced “all in favor. Aye.” Outcome: approved.

Ending

The committee emphasized the need to present final goals and contract recommendations to the full board in time to meet contractual timelines. Staff was asked to provide the requested contract history, compensation records and prior evaluations so committee members can meet individually with Dr. Webb and finalize recommendations in the coming weeks.