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Building chief seeks higher pay

Despite a petition drive calling for his dismissal, the Redington Shores official requests a 50 percent pay increase.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published August 3, 2005

REDINGTON SHORES - A month after a petition with more than 100 signatures demanded the firing of Mike Nadeau, the building official is asking the town for a 50 percent salary increase and a near-doubling of his benefits.

"Acceptance of this contract by the Town Commission will represent a vote of confidence in my qualifications for and performance as the Redington Shores Building Official," Nadeau says in a letter to the commission.

Nadeau came under fire last month when a petition signed by residents - including some who said they did not know what they were signing - called Nadeau "incompetent" and charged that he causes residents "hardship" by changing his mind and rescinding permits.

Several petitioners say Nadeau mistreats residents who seek building permits to upgrade their homes. What is particularly at issue is the federal "50 percent rule" that requires homes to be raised above the flood plain if improvements exceed half the value of the structure.

Nadeau, who currently makes $57,633 annually, wants his salary increased to $85,000. He also is asking for four weeks of vacation (he now gets two weeks), a $350 monthly car allowance (now $100), increased pension benefits, and a $100,000 term life insurance policy (which now stands at $10,000).

In addition, Nadeau wants 12 months' severance pay (he now has six months) if fired for any reason other than cause - such as conviction of a felony; "willful violation" of town policies; misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance in performing his duties; conviction of illegal acts involving moral turpitude; or violating state statutes relating to travel expenses or ethics.

Nadeau says his accomplishments over the past four years have "significantly improved" the town and "more than justifies the increase in compensation and benefits that I am requesting."

Among those accomplishments, he cites $2.16-million in grants he helped secure for the town, collection of more than $750,000 in permit fees just this year, and oversight of many public and private construction projects, including the current redevelopment of the Parsley Mobile Home Park.

Apparently Nadeau's request has generated little commission support so far.

When asked whether he would reduce his salary demands, Nadeau replied: "I have a little bit of room for flexibility," he said, adding he has not "made up my mind" whether to remain in his job if the commission refuses to grant him a substantial pay increase.

The commission will take up the proposed contract and the resident petition at its meeting next Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

"It's definitely a lot of money, and we have a responsibility to our constituents," Mayor J.J. Beyrouti said on Tuesday.

"Mike is definitely qualified, an asset to the town, but nobody should feel indispensable," Beyrouti said, stressing that the commission needs to balance Nadeau's value to the town against the validity of the complaints.

Last month, Beyrouti asked each commissioner to investigate the resident complaints and report back with their findings. That will happen Tuesday.

"Is there validity to the complaints? Yes. Is it 100 percent from everyone who signed the petition? No," Beyrouti said, calling the complaints "very, very serious."

Town Administrator Don Lusk said Nadeau's requested salary increase is not totally out of line with what is being paid to officials in nearby beach communities for the same range of tasks.

Lusk and Nadeau cited Indian Shores police Chief E.D. Williams, who was recently given a $25,000 raise when named as that town's interim administrator.

Indian Shores' building official is paid $58,597. Williams, as the town's administrator, is technically responsible for oversight of that town's building projects.

Ironically, Nadeau was Indian Shores' building official before taking his present job. He retired from Indian Shores after being criticized there for allegedly being belligerent to the town staff. After his retirement, the Town Commission canceled a scheduled disciplinary hearing against Nadeau, who had been disciplined for sexual harassment the previous year.

[Last modified August 3, 2005, 00:36:17]