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Tampa Wants To Reduce Pay For Sports Authority Director
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Published: March 31, 2009
TAMPA - Before he resigned as director of the Tampa Sports Authority this month, Henry Saavedra was pulling down a salary of more than $209,000 a year including benefits, a car allowance and other perks.
Saavedra, who held the job for 12 years, quit on March 16 amid a move to fire him from members of the authority's board of directors who represent Hillsborough County.
But whomever takes Saavedra's place stands to earn as much as he did.
Some Tampa City Council members say, given the economic recession, that's too much.
They're planning to make a formal request to the TSA board to reduce the director's pay before they begin searching for a replacement and a interviewing potential candidates.
"I wouldn't be butting my nose into this if it weren't for the fact that this is city money paying that salary," said Councilman John Dingfelder, who proposed the move.
A more reasonable salary, he says, would be that of Mayor Pam Iorio's $150,000 a year.
Iorio isn't taking a position on the issue.
"We don't get involved in salary issues of the various authorities," she said.
Because the council has no control over the sport's authority, the move is little more than a gesture, but Dingfelder said he hopes the board of directors will take up the issue.
The TSA manages Raymond James Stadium and three city golf courses. The board is made up of appointees from the city and county and one appointed by the governor.
It is supported with more than $3 million in annual funding from the city and county.
Saavedra, 56, had come under pressure to resign from the TSA's executive committee, including chair Vincent Marchetti and member Jim Norman, who argued that he had kept them in the dark about litigation, possible investment losses and other serious issues.
He will receive a severance package worth $171,871, which includes six months salary, deferred compensation, accrued sick and vacation days. His last day is Wednesday.
The board has decided to hire a search firm to help find a permanent replacement. Until then, Mickey Farrell will serve as the sports authority's interim executive director.
Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.
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