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HART board approves additional 5% merit increase for CEO after extended debate
Summary
After more than an hour of debate and multiple roll-call votes, the HART Board approved a 5% additional merit increase for CEO Scott Drainville (retroactive to Jan. 5), supplementing a 5% performance raise previously approved at an earlier meeting.
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) Board voted to grant a 5% additional merit increase to Chief Executive Officer Scott Drainville, making the raise retroactive to the Jan. 5 meeting. The additional award supplements a 5% performance‑based increase the board approved previously.
Board counsel Jeffrey Gibson reminded members that Section 7 of the CEO’s contract allows a two‑part merit process: a performance‑based increase and an additional subjective merit increase up to 15 percent. Director Mechanic initially moved for a 10% additional increase (which would have produced a 15% total package); that motion was seconded and briefly carried before a member moved to reconsider the vote.
After reconsideration and procedural votes, Commissioner Myers moved a substitute motion for an additional 5%. That motion was seconded and passed on a roll call. The final roll call recorded a majority in favor, and the chair confirmed the increase would be retroactive to Jan. 5.
Supporters cited Drainville’s recent success securing federal grants and building reserves. Director Mechanic said the CEO’s leadership and accomplishments “warrant” additional compensation; Director Niebrik argued that a midrange increase would restore competitiveness relative to prior CEO pay. Opponents expressed concern about the scale of the increase compared with peer agencies and sought clearer ties between pay and objective benchmarks.
Board counsel and staff told members the FY‑2026 budget had been prepared assuming a 15% total potential increase, so the approved additional 5% would not require further budget adjustments. The board asked that the effective date be clarified in the record; the chair confirmed the board intended retroactivity to Jan. 5.
Outcome: additional 5% merit increase approved (in addition to the earlier 5%); action is retroactive to Jan. 5 and will be implemented through payroll adjustments.
Next steps: staff will implement the pay adjustment and reflect the change in payroll and financial reporting at the next finance committee meeting.
