Title
CEO Salary Adjustment - Fiscal Year 2025-26
Body
Agenda of: June 25, 2025
Item No.: 2025-169
Amount: $8,256.12
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
FROM: William M. Wolfson
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Water Authority
DATE: May 15, 2025
RE: CEO Salary Adjustment - Fiscal Year 2025-26
MOTION
Upon recommendation of William M. Wolfson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Jordie Kramer, Chief Organizational Development Officer, and David Jones, General Counsel, the Board of Directors (Board) of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA):
1. Approves an increase in the Great Lakes Water Authority’s Chief Executive Officer’s annual salary, in the amount of Eight Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Six Dollars and Twelve cents ($8,256.12) effective at the first available pay period in July, 2025; and
2. Authorizes the Board’s Chairman, GLWA Deputy Chief Executive Officer, GLWA Chief Organizational Development Officer, and GLWA General Counsel to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND
Effective June 17, 2022, the Board entered into an Employment Agreement (Agreement) with Suzane Coffey to serve as the GLWA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Section 4.1 of that Agreement provides:
4.1 GLWA shall pay Coffey an annual salary of $275,204, payable in accordance with GLWA's customary payroll practices, subject to customary and mandatory withholdings. Except as otherwise provided herein, nothing in this provision shall be interpreted as guaranteeing employment or compensation for a full year or for any period of time. Coffey's salary shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board, which may increase or decrease the salary. Salary adjustments shall be made by Board resolution and shall not be considered an amendment to this agreement. (Emphasis added.)
This action will increase CEO Coffey’s annual salary in fiscal year 2025-26 by $8,256.12, from $275,204 to $283,460.12. The percentage of this adjustment is aligned with the adjustment that GLWA provided to other eligible team members.
JUSTIFICATION
The Board employs the GLWA CEO who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the utility. This salary adjustment is aligned with her performance and other compensation adjustments made by the utility.
BUDGET IMPACT
The projected costs associated with this adjustment to the CEO’s annual salary can be accommodated within the budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 adopted by the Board.
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This item was presented directly to the full Board.
SHARED SERVICES IMPACT
This item does not impact the shared services agreement between GLWA and DWSD.