Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance Compensation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
CapMetro board unanimously approves 4% raise and 8% one-time bonus for CEO Dottie Watkins
Summary
The CapMetro Board on Nov. 17 approved a 4% salary increase and an 8% one-time performance bonus for President and CEO Dottie Watkins, retroactive to Oct. 1, 2025. The decision followed an executive session and drew public criticism from a remote commenter who urged tabling the pay action.
The CapMetro Board of Directors voted unanimously Nov. 17 to award President and CEO Dottie Watkins a 4% annual salary increase and a one-time performance bonus equal to 8% of base pay for fiscal 2025, with the adjustment retroactive to Oct. 1, 2025.
Board member Harris moved the compensation package during the meeting’s business session after the board returned from executive session on personnel matters. Board member Veil seconded the motion; the chair called for voice votes and declared the motion approved by a unanimous aye.
The motion followed a closed deliberation the board held under Texas Government Code Section 551.071 (consultation with an attorney regarding Project Connect litigation) and Section 551.074 (personnel matters). During the public comment period earlier in the meeting, remote commenter Nobia Joseph urged the board to table any pay increase for Watkins and said she had filed a complaint with the Texas Comptroller’s criminal investigation and fraud reporting addresses; the board did not act on that request.
Board members who spoke in support of the motion praised Watkins’s leadership during a year of major capital investments and organizational changes, while also noting fiscal pressures and flat sales-tax revenues for the region. No opposing votes were recorded in the public record.
The board did not publish individual vote tallies naming aye votes beyond the roll call-style voice affirmation taken at the meeting. The board also did not specify implementation details such as payroll dates beyond the retroactive effective date read into the motion. The board adjourned at 2:57 p.m.
What happens next: The pay adjustment and bonus will be implemented per the employment agreement and board direction; the board indicated the matter arose from the annual performance review for fiscal 2025.
