September 27, 2011
Written by Roger Weeder

The chief executive of Jacksonville International Airport is getting a pay bump that pushes 14 percent.

The Jacksonville Aviation Authority, in a close vote, decided to give Steve Grossman a pay raise and a new five-year contract. Grossman has been on the job two years.

"When a guy is making money for the company then you need to reward him," said Ernie Isaac, board chairman.

Isaac proposed the new pay package that has Grossman earning $280,000 in base pay. The base pay package now has Jacksonville offering the highest pay, excluding incentives, of any airport in Florida.

Grossman, who is traveling said in an email, "The salary in the new contract is approximately $1,000 less than the salary plus bonus in the previous contract."

The Jacksonville Aviation Authority does not receive tax dollars from the City of Jacksonville. This year it projects revenues of $65 million.

Airport managers in Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale have a lower base pay than Jacksonville. Jacksonville's pay package no longer includes incentive pay. The previous contract provided up to 15 percent if performance goals were met.

Source: http://bit.ly/qwbO0R