CATA director gets raise

Board praises Varner’s performance in 1st year on job

The Central Arkansas Transit Authority board of directors Monday voted to give its executive director a 3 percent raise and 3 percent bonus based on his performance during his first year on the job.

Beginning Aug. 1, Jarod Varner will draw an annual salary of $123,600 and receive an additional 3 percent merit bonus. Varner was brought on a year ago at $120,000 a year.

Since that time, the central Arkansas bus agency has invested nearly $10 million to convert its diesel-powered fleet to environmentally friendlier compressed natural gas, won approval for a $750,000 project to develop a real-time passenger information system and developed a passenger code of conduct that will take effect in August.

The unanimous vote of the nine board members present came after they met for about an hour in executive session to conduct an evaluation and review Varner's compensation.

In addition to upgrading the bus fleet and other initiatives, board Chairman Allie Freeman credited Varner with forging new lines of communication with employees and riders and said Varner intends to establish better relationships with local political leaders.

"He has a lot of energy," Freeman said after the board's monthly meeting. "He rides the buses. He is getting to know our customers and their concerns. We appreciate that."

Board member Jim Gilbert of Little Rock made the motion to boost Varner's salary and provide him with the bonus. Bentley Wallace of North Little Rock seconded the motion.

Nine of the board's 12 members were present and, without public discussion, voted for the motion. Absent were Little Rock City Manager Bruce Moore; Jimmy Moses, one of Pulaski County's two representatives; and Matt Lindsey of Little Rock.

In making an earlier motion to accept Varner's annual report, Gilbert said the executive director should "be commended by the board for his energy, organization leadership, community focus and strategic planning initiatives."

Varner, 33, a graduate of Harding University in Searcy, was vice president of transit operations for the Denton County Transportation Authority in Lewisville, Texas, when he was selected to take over CATA in May 2013. In 2011, he was chosen as one of Mass Transit magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" transit executives nationally.

Varner replaced Betty Wineland, the executive director since August 2007, who retired. Wineland had been with CATA for 25 years, previously as its marketing director and assistant director.

Varner is only the third CATA chief in the agency's 28 years and the first to arrive from outside the agency.

"It's been a true pleasure working with you," board member Tony Vestal of North Little Rock told Varner.

The board also voted to amend Varner's rolling three-year contract to line it up with the agency's fiscal year, which runs January through December. That means his next evaluation will come in December and any changes in his contract, including raises, would take effect Jan. 1.

Metro on 06/24/2014

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