Bullock turns down 4% raise

Mayor Jack Duncan is baffled that he can’t persuade Town Manager Dave Bullock to accept a $7,200 raise. Bullock, though, is willing to take 15 additional paid vacation days per year — a period that amounts to approximately $10,380 in salary. 

Duncan used a discussion about Bullock’s annual evaluation at the Nov. 9 Longboat Key Town Commission regular workshop to propose a 4% raise for Bullock.

“I have argued this point ad nauseam with the town manager in private, but this time I will do it from the dais,” Duncan said. “It’s very hard for me to not look at what this town has accomplished with our staff over the past five years without looking at the town manager and his performance, which I think is absolutely excellent. I don’t really care what he said five years ago when he said he didn’t want a pay raise.” 

Townwide, non-union employees received an average 3.8% increase in October through a new merit-based system Bullock implemented.

“I looked at what we provided for all our folks across the board, and I think a 4% pay increase is absolutely the bare bones minimum I would provide when comparing his performance against the town,” Duncan said.

Commissioners began to gain consensus that they would consider a raise for the town manager.

“I would be happy to consider it,” said Vice Mayor Terry Gans. “I realize he’s been at the same salary for five years.”

During the conversation, Bullock began to raise his hand — to Duncan’s chagrin.

“I’ll acknowledge him, but I don’t want to acknowledge him, because I know what he’s going to say,” Duncan said.

Duncan was right: Bullock smiled before politely declining the raise.

“I appreciate everything you’ve said, and I read your (evaluation) comments and look for areas where I can improve,” Bullock said. “As to compensation, it’s a contract. I will not accept an increase. I took this job knowing what was going on, and there’s no need to spend any more time on it.”

Bullock said he has no plans to retire any time soon, even though he’s beginning the fifth year of a five-year commitment he gave the commission when he was hired in October 2011.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on that keeps my interest and my time,” Bullock said.

But the town manager did make one request.

“I’m interested in a little more time off, and that comes straight from my wife,” Bullock said.

Bullock currently receives 10 days of vacation and 10 director days off of paid leave per year.

Town Clerk Trish Granger confirmed Bullock would have to sign a contract that includes a pay increase or any other changes.

“If we’re in agreement with giving him a 4% raise, stick a contract in front of him, and let him sign it or not sign it,” Commissioner Phill Younger said.

But with Bullock not agreeing to the raise verbally, the commission resigned itself to revising the contract to include an amount of extra time off that has yet to be determined.

“He doesn’t want a pay increase,” Commissioner Lynn Larson said. “He came with a high salary. He wants more time off. It’s in our best interest to give him time off and his wife the time off.”

At the end of the discussion, Gans noted how uncomfortable it is to discuss an evaluation for the town manager in a public forum required by the state’s Sunshine Law.

“This whole bizarre discussion has been brought to you courtesy of the Sunshine Law,” Gans said.