Manatee County Administrator gets pay raise, new contract

The Manatee County Commission voted 5-2 Tuesday in favor of a new five-year contract for County Administrator Ed Hunzeker.

Voting in favor were commissioners Larry Bustle, John Chappie, Carol Whitmore, Betsy Benac and Vanessa Baugh. Voting against were Commissioners Robin DiSabatino and Michael Gallen.

The contract delays the retirement of Hunzeker, who was scheduled to retire Aug. 31, 2014.

Under the five-year contract, negotiated with Larry Bustle, county commission chairman, Hunzeker receives a $34, 720.20 annual raise.

The raise grows Hunzeker’s annual salary to $203,845, up from his current pay of $169, 124.80.

It also cuts a large lump-sum retirement payment promised to Hunzeker from his participation in the Florida Retirement System’s Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP).

He forfeits a $337, 411.83 payment from the DROP program, for which Hunzeker, 65, signed up for when he was 62 years old.

Meetings & Agendas
• Manatee County School Board Special Meeting: Selection of Superintendent finalists — 9 a.m. Jan. 31, at 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
• Manatee County School Board Council of Governments — 4 p.m. Feb. 5, at the Public Safety Center, 2101 47th Terrace E., Bradenton
• Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Council of Governments — 4 p.m. Feb. 5, at the Public Safety Center, 2101 47th Terrace E., Bradenton
• Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Land Use Meeting — 9 a.m. Feb. 7, at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton