OAKLAND: The Port of Oakland Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to give its top executive a 3 percent pay bump, bringing his salary to more than $355,000 this year.
As part of his three-year contract, Executive Director Chris Lytle will receive an annual 3 percent raise, with his salary topping out at $377,000 in 2018. Lytle could also earn an annual bonus, based on performance measures and other objectives, of 20 percent of his base salary, or around $71,000 in the first year of the new contract, which begins July 22 and runs through July 21, 2019.
The contract also includes a $750 monthly car allowance, five weeks of vacation and an additional $155,503 in medical and retirement benefits. Together, Lytle’s total compensation will rise from $519,640 this year to $571,106 in 2018. Lytle makes more than BART General Manager Grace Crunican, who in 2015 earned a base salary of $341,244, plus $133,733 in benefits, for a total compensation of $474,977. Comparatively, Metropolitan Transportation Commission Executive Director Steve Heminger pulled in $405,537 in total compensation and had a base salary of $318,921.
Several commissioners lauded Lytle’s efforts to reinvigorate the port since he was hired three years ago. Lytle’s predecessor, Omar Benjamin, resigned in 2012 after it was revealed that he spent more than $4,500 in port funds at a Texas strip club. Commissioner Earl Hamlin said the difference between the two top executives has been “night and day.””For the commissioners, it’s been fun,” Hamlin said referring to the past three years with Lytle at the helm. “(That) wasn’t always the case around here.”
