Action Item 3.
Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Meeting Date:
- 07/10/2025
REQUESTED ACTION:
MOTION TO APPROVE a Retention Bonus to the MPO Executive Director in the Amount of $47,000
WHAT THIS ACTION ACCOMPLISHES:
Approval of this item will provide Mr. Gregory Stuart a $47,000 one-time retention bonus retroactive to July 1, 2025.
SUMMARY EXPLANATION/BACKGROUND:
To support agency stability and maintain critical operational continuity, the Motion for Approval is for a $47,000 retention bonus for the MPO Executive Director, Mr. Stuart, contingent upon him remaining with the agency for one full year starting on July 1, 2025. Should Mr. Stuart separate employment with the MPO before the 12-month period, the bonus will be repaid on a prorated basis.
Purpose and Rationale
Project Continuity and Mission Impact
In addition to the agency's core products, including the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the Unified Planning Work Program, Mr. Stuart has secured and leads the following competitive grant projects, including:
Executed grants/active:
Awarded/Unexecuted grants:
Activities associated with each grant:
Additionally, he and his staff are working on the following projects:
His departure during this critical period would delay project timelines and negatively impact mission outcomes.
Bonus Structure and Conditions
This structured and conditional retention incentive will allow the agency to retain top talent, ensure continuity of operations, and avoid the substantial costs and operational disruptions associated with turnover.
Purpose and Rationale
1. Retention of Critical Skill Set
Mr. Stuart possesses highly specialized skills and 16+ years of institutional knowledge essential to the success of ongoing and upcoming projects. His expertise in obtaining Federal funding for local projects is not easily replaceable in the current labor market. He is also training replacement staff to have the critical skills necessary to run a high-functioning, independent organization, with a $20+ million annual operating budget.
2. Market Competition and Risk of Attrition
The agency is currently operating in a highly competitive labor environment. Similar MPOs, private-sector and government organizations are offering significantly higher compensation and aggressive recruitment strategies. Without proactive retention measures, there is a high risk of attrition, which would disrupt mission-critical operations and result in significant costs related to recruitment, onboarding, and lost productivity.
3. Cost-Effective Workforce Stability
A $47,000 bonus, when weighed against the cost of turnover—which can exceed 150% of an employee’s annual salary for hard-to-fill roles—is a cost-effective investment. The prorated repayment clause ensures accountability and minimizes financial risk to the agency.
Mr. Stuart possesses highly specialized skills and 16+ years of institutional knowledge essential to the success of ongoing and upcoming projects. His expertise in obtaining Federal funding for local projects is not easily replaceable in the current labor market. He is also training replacement staff to have the critical skills necessary to run a high-functioning, independent organization, with a $20+ million annual operating budget.
2. Market Competition and Risk of Attrition
The agency is currently operating in a highly competitive labor environment. Similar MPOs, private-sector and government organizations are offering significantly higher compensation and aggressive recruitment strategies. Without proactive retention measures, there is a high risk of attrition, which would disrupt mission-critical operations and result in significant costs related to recruitment, onboarding, and lost productivity.
3. Cost-Effective Workforce Stability
A $47,000 bonus, when weighed against the cost of turnover—which can exceed 150% of an employee’s annual salary for hard-to-fill roles—is a cost-effective investment. The prorated repayment clause ensures accountability and minimizes financial risk to the agency.
Project Continuity and Mission Impact
In addition to the agency's core products, including the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the Unified Planning Work Program, Mr. Stuart has secured and leads the following competitive grant projects, including:
Executed grants/active:
| FTA/FHWA/HUD/FRA Grants | Grant Amount | |
| Fund Source | Total | |
| Fare Interoperability | FTA | $ 1,719,256 |
| Pembroke Pines Hub | FTA | $ 2,624,000 |
| Fort Lauderdale Hub Ext. | FTA | $ 247,753 |
| SE 17th Street Hub (FTL) | FTA | $ 7,560,000 |
| Sunrise Hub (Josh Lee) | FTA | $ 2,500,000 |
| Rail Crossing Elimination Prog. | FRA | $ 15,440,000 |
| Safe Streets For All | FHWA | $ 5,000,000 |
| Reconnecting Communities | FHWA | $ 1,500,000 |
| SMART | FHWA | $ 2,000,000 |
| Lyons Road Safety Project | HUD | $ 3,900,000 |
| Totals | $ 42,491,009 |
Awarded/Unexecuted grants:
| Charging & Fueling Infrastructure | FHWA | $ 17,902,595 |
| 4P | FHWA | $ 2,000,000 |
| Totals | $ 19,902,595 |
Activities associated with each grant:
- Applying for grant
- Coordinating with partners (city, county, Federal, regional) (this could be for up to five years)
- Securing matching funds
- Procuring and managing consultants
- Administering grant funding
- Follow-up, audit and project close out
Additionally, he and his staff are working on the following projects:
- Safe Streets Summit
- Metro Transportation Engineering & Construction Cooperative
- Transportation disadvantaged board
- Potential move to new office space
His departure during this critical period would delay project timelines and negatively impact mission outcomes.
Bonus Structure and Conditions
- The full $47,000 will be paid upon signing the retention agreement.
- The employee must remain in their position for 12 consecutive months.
- If the employee leaves prior to the 12-month term, he will be required to repay the bonus on a prorated basis, calculated monthly.
- If a disability is developed or Mr. Stuart passes, the bonus does not need to be repaid.
- A seven percent salary increase will occur starting July 1.
- Mr. Stuart will be eligible for his regular salary increase along with the rest of his staff in January 2026.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION(S):
On June 12, 2025, the MPO Executive Committee unanimously rated Executive Director Gregory Stuart’s performance as Satisfactory, which is the highest rating possible.
Mr. Stuart highlighted a significant compensation disparity between his salary and other MPO Executive Director's salaries. In recognition of his long-standing service, institutional knowledge, and in an effort to ensure leadership continuity, the Executive Committee voted by supermajority to award Mr. Stuart a one-time retention bonus of $47,000. This recommendation is subject to MPO Board approval.
As a condition of accepting the bonus, Mr. Stuart has agreed to remain in his position through June 30, 2026. Should he leave the organization prior to that date for any reason other than a qualifying medical disability or death, he will be required to repay the bonus on a prorated basis, based on the number of months remaining in the agreed-upon term.
Mr. Stuart highlighted a significant compensation disparity between his salary and other MPO Executive Director's salaries. In recognition of his long-standing service, institutional knowledge, and in an effort to ensure leadership continuity, the Executive Committee voted by supermajority to award Mr. Stuart a one-time retention bonus of $47,000. This recommendation is subject to MPO Board approval.
As a condition of accepting the bonus, Mr. Stuart has agreed to remain in his position through June 30, 2026. Should he leave the organization prior to that date for any reason other than a qualifying medical disability or death, he will be required to repay the bonus on a prorated basis, based on the number of months remaining in the agreed-upon term.
MPO STAFF RECOMMENDATION(S):
MPO staff recommends approval of the Retention Bonus to the MPO Executive Director in the amount of $47,000.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/PREPARER:
If you have any questions about this item, please contact Bryan Caletka at (954) 876-0070 or caletkab@browardmpo.org.