MTA board approves $3 million contract reallocation and extends CEO Steve Bland's contract through 2031

The Nashville MTA board approved two governance items: a reallocation of contract capacity for on-call capital program support services and an amendment extending the CEO's employment agreement.

Deputy CEO Debbie Frank presented item M-26-015, explaining that CDM Smith has delivered a sizeable portion of assigned work under an existing on-call contract and was nearing its $5 million not-to-exceed cap (about $4.1 million invoiced to date). Staff recommended a one-time reallocation of $3 million of unused not-to-exceed capacity from HDR to CDM Smith under contract number 2022073 so CDM Smith can continue continuity work on facility projects. A board member recused from the vote and a motion to approve (MA26017) was moved and seconded; the board approved the amendment with one abstention. The action authorizes the CEO to sign the contract amendment.

Later in the meeting the chair presented a proposed amendment to CEO Steve Bland’s employment agreement to extend the term through Dec. 31, 2031; increase base salary 3.5% effective July 1, 2026 and annual increases of 3.5% beginning July 1, 2027; and award a one-time $12,500 bonus with potential additional board-approved performance bonuses during the term. The board moved, seconded and approved the contract amendment by voice vote.

Board members acknowledged the recusal and abstention on the contract matter and recorded the employment-amendment vote as approved on the record. The meeting record will include the formal contract language and the executed amendment.