PORT ANGELES — The executive director of the Port of Port Angeles will receive a 12 percent salary hike to $138,000 a year Jan. 1, when a new, three-year contract will replace his current one-year pact, port commissioners decided Monday.
The agreement will boost Jeff Robb’s salary by 20 percent compared with the $115,000 a year he received when he was hired little more than three years ago in August 2009.
This year, Robb earns $123,165.
Robb and Port Commissioners John Calhoun, Jim Hallett and Paul McHugh signed the $11,500-per-month amendment to Robb’s employment agreement duringthe port’s regular meeting held Monday.
It raises his pay to $2,654 a week, or $66 an hour.
Robb, 59, also will continue to receive a car allowance of $400 a month.
Robb already makes more than Port of Port Townsend Executive Director Larry Crockett, who earns $110,387 and receives the IRS mileage reimbursement of 55.5 cents a mile.
Leif Erickson, president of the Port of Port Townsend Board of Commissioners, said Monday that Crockett has not received a raise in three years and will not be receiving one for 2013.
Robb’s salary also will exceed the 2013 paycheck of Port Angeles City Manager Dan McKeen, who will earn $137,700 as of Jan. 1.
McKeen will oversee the city’s $18.7 million day-to-day general fund for 2013.
Robb will oversee the port’s $6.2 million general fund for 2013.
Robb, a Sequim native, was the port’s director of aviation and marinas when he was named port director in 2009.
The new contract followed a recent performance evaluation of Robb that was held in executive session, said port attorney Dave Neupert of Port Angeles.
Robb’s salary in successive years of the contract will depend on future performance evaluations
“We have two substantial changes to the contract,” Calhoun said.
“One is the term, one is the salary,” he added.
“We found his performance extremely satisfying and wanted to ensure his service at the port for the near future beyond one year,” Calhoun said.
Hallett also said the three-year term will guarantee continuity in port operations.
“I’m very comfortable with that compensation,” Hallett added.
McHugh praised the evaluation process, calling it “very comprehensive.”
Robb praised port employees, who “deliver real value back to the citizens,” he said.
“I appreciate the commissioners’ confidence in me for the next three years,” Robb added.
Robb is a 1972 graduate of Sequim High school and holds an Associate of Arts degree in civil engineering from Peninsula College.
He joined the port in 1984 as a project engineer and public works manager before becoming airport and marina manager from November 1996 until November 1998.
He was director of airport operations and real estate for the Port of Bremerton for about a year before retuning to Port of Port Angeles employment in October 1999.
When Robb was hired as the port’s executive director 10 years later, he succeeded Bob McChesney, who was paid $123,000.
McChesney resigned to take the lesser-paying job as Port of Edmonds executive director.
“The issues aren’t always as positive and forthright as what we just accomplished,” Calhoun said after the commissioners took action on Robb’s contract.
Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
