UMC chief gets new contract from county

Jeff Schweers

Wednesday, May 6, 1998 | 11:04 a.m.

After four years serving as an independent contractor as University Medical Center's chief executive officer, William R. Hale has been made an executive county employee with benefits.

At $218,416 a year, that makes Hale -- who is responsible for about 3,000 hospital staff -- the highest paid public official in the state. University Chancellor Richard Jarvis, whose salary was raised to $195,000 last December, is the next highest.

County Manager Dale Askew, Hale's boss, has a base salary of $125,000 a year.

Hale's salary won't change as a result of the five-year executive employment contract renewed Tuesday by the UMC Board of Trustees, but it now entitles him to the full range of county benefits available to other staff.

Those benefits include consolidated annual leave, group insurance, retirement contributions and workers compensation valued at an additional $30,000 a year.

Hale also will receive a $500 a month car allowance and 32 days of annual leave.

Hale was originally hired in January 1994 for five years as an independent contractor with his annual salary adjusted according to the consumer price index. Under the new contract, effective Feb. 1, 1999, Hale also will get an annual CPI adjustment every year starting in 2000.

The contract can be terminated in 10 days by written notice by either party with an opportunity to discuss the termination. Hale would be entitled to the pay he has earned as of the effective date of termination, including buy-out for accumulated leave.

As CEO, Hale has brought UMC's budget into the black and developed UMC as a competitive medical provider. UMC is ranked among the top 100 hospitals in the nation with its Quick Care centers and improved accreditation.