County gives Spratt raise of 7 percent

The action raises the county administrator's salary by $12,028. ''I certainly haven't been bored,'' he said.

By LISA GREENE, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 18, 2002

Pinellas County commissioners rewarded new Administrator Steve Spratt with a 7 percent raise Tuesday afternoon and heaped praise on him after his first evaluation.

Spratt, the county's first new administrator in 23 years, will see his $171,826 salary increase by $12,028, to $183,854.

"You stepped into a very interesting challenge, and you've turned a lot of lemons into lemonade," commission Chairman Barbara Sheen Todd told Spratt.

As administrator, Spratt manages 2,700 employees and $1-billion of the county's $1.5-billion budget.

Commissioners took turns praising Spratt.

"I think he's worth every penny," said Commissioner John Morroni.

"That was truly the best decision we've made," Commissioner Susan Latvala said of hiring Spratt.

Commissioner Karen Seel said Spratt has worked so many hours that the board needed to thank his family as well. The effusive meeting ended with Seel and Todd hugging their administrator.

About the only point where commissioners disagreed was how to increase Spratt's pay. Todd suggested giving him the amount as a lump sum. Todd said she made that suggestion because Spratt has been on the job only 10 months and because there were "concerns in the community" about his high salary when he was first hired.

Spratt, who was the highest paid of four finalists for the job, came to Pinellas without a raise. He was making the same amount as an assistant manager in Miami-Dade County.

But other commissioners said Tuesday that a flat figure wasn't enough.

"I don't think it fairly compensates good performance," said Commissioner Ken Welch.

He and others wanted to give Spratt a 7 percent raise, the percentage that county employees have gotten in the past for excellent performance. Commissioner Karen Seel suggested giving Spratt a 5 percent raise, the new amount for employee excellence, plus a 2 percent lump sum payment. But she was outvoted.

Spratt thanked commissioners and commended his staff.

"I certainly haven't been bored," he told commissioners.

Commissioner Bob Stewart, who had been out of town, turned in his evaluation Tuesday. He gave Spratt 12 "excellent" ratings out of 29 categories, 16 "good" and one "satisfactory." It was the only satisfactory mark Spratt received from any commissioner.

Stewart gave Spratt that mark on strategic planning, which includes positioning the county for the future. Stewart said his concern there includes "not just the administrator's evaluation, but the board as well." Stewart said it reflects his worry that the county may have trouble providing new services, such as recreation.

"It's fine to offer new services, but you have to afford it and pay for it," he said.

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