SUBJECT
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Approve the Third Amendment to the Employment Agreement for the PRWC Executive Director (Action)
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DESCRIPTION
On March 16, 2022 the Polk Regional Water Cooperative (“Cooperative”) entered into an Employment Agreement with Eric C. DeHaven as Executive Director/Project Administrator of the Cooperative (“Contract Employee”), which remains in full force and effect. On May 1, 2022, the Contract Employee assumed his duties as Executive Director/Project Administrator. Section 4 of the Employment Agreement establishes a base salary for the Contract Employee of $115,00, payable on a monthly or biweekly basis. The Employment Agreement also provides that the Cooperative shall evaluate a potential adjustment of the Contract Employee’s salary on an annual basis, beginning on May 2, 2023.
At the Cooperative’s May 17, 2023 meeting the Board of Directors voted to adopt Amendment No. 1 to the Employment Agreement, which increased the Contract Employee’s base salary by five (5%) percent to $120,750. At the Cooperative’s May 15,2024 meeting the Board voted to adopt Amendment No. 2 to the Employment agreement, which increased the base salary to $126,788. At the Cooperative’s May 19, 2025 meeting the Board voted to approve Amendment No.3 to the Employment Agreement, which increased the base salary to $139,467.
Following the Cooperative’s March 18, 2026 board meeting, the Board Chairman, Commissioner Nat Birdsong, and the Contract Employee met to discuss the Contract Employee’s performance and base salary. A performance evaluation form used for the evaluation is attached as Exhibit A. Following the performance review the Board Chair has decided to recommend to the Board of Directors a 10% increase to the Contract Employee’s salary based on the Contract Employee’s exemplary performance over the past year regarding complicated matters critical to the future of the Cooperative. This would increase the Contract Employee’s base salary to $153,414 effective for the payment period beginning in May 2024.
I was directed by the Board Chair to prepare Amendment No. 4 to the Employment Agreement approving a ten percent increase to $153,414 which will be provided as a handout to the Board. The completed evaluation form will also be provided as a handout to the Board.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the Fourth Amendment to the Employment Contact for the PRWC Executive Director.
FISCAL IMPACT
Like the Contract Employee’s current salary, the source of funds for this salary increase will be the Cooperative’s administrative and project budgets.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ed de la Parte