{"id":87017,"date":"2025-12-17T19:13:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T19:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/87017\/"},"modified":"2025-12-17T19:13:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T19:13:02","slug":"university-chancellor-ray-rodrigues-is-the-highest-paid-florida-employee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/87017\/","title":{"rendered":"University Chancellor Ray Rodrigues is the highest-paid Florida employee"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ACredit: State University System of Florida \u2013 Board of Governors\/Facebook<\/p>\n

Florida\u2019s University Chancellor Ray Rodrigues was already the highest-paid state employee with his more than $441K salary, beating out the No. 2 employee (Education Commissioner Anastasios \u201cStasi\u201d Kamoutsas) by roughly $110K.<\/p>\n

But on Friday, that financial lead grew when the Board of Governors of the State University System approved a three-year\u00a0contract<\/a>\u00a0extension including a $600,000 base salary with a chance\u00a0at a 20% performance bonus. This makes Rodrigues the highest-paid state employee by far, according to the\u00a0database<\/a>\u00a0of state employee salaries. The effective date is Jan. 1<\/p>\n

He nearly doubles Kamoutsas\u2019 $330K salary. But Kamoutsas was one of the biggest supporters of Rodrigues\u2019 pay increase.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we talk about what a national model this state is in higher education and the envy of the country \u2026 I can\u2019t emphasize enough how deserving he is,\u201d Kamoutsas said during Friday\u2019s Board of Governors meeting. \u201cNot just of this pay increase, but honestly more.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the contract amendment, raises in Rodrigues\u2019 contract are paid from Board of Governors Foundation funds, which are considered private.<\/p>\n

In July, as the state sets up its new university accrediting body, the BOG transferred\u00a0$4 million in taxpayer money<\/a>\u00a0to the foundation \u2014 though that money is specifically appropriated for the accreditor and will not go to Rodrigues\u2019 salary, a BOG spokesperson confirmed to the Phoenix.<\/p>\n

The new contract expires in 2029 and provides a $75,000 annual housing stipend and $12,000 a car allowance.<\/p>\n

Eric Silagy, former CEO of Florida Power & Light, was the lone BOG member to vote against the new contract \u2014 which he claimed was submitted to members at the 11th hour.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear you loud and clear on the fact that taxpayers aren\u2019t directly paying this increase, but it is coming through universities\u2019 foundations,\u201d he said, calling the increase \u201csignificant\u201d and unprecedented for an employee staying in the same role. \u201cAnd so, it is money that would otherwise be able to be spent for other things that would benefit students.\u201d<\/p>\n

Various university presidents make more than Rodrigues, but state law requires university president contracts to be paid by foundation funds once they exceed $200,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The contract defines Rodrigues\u2019 responsibilities as ensuring \u201cthe efficient operations of the Board\u201d and he \u201cis authorized to enter into any contract necessary for the operation of the Board to employ all personnel and establish policies and procedure, incident to Board personnel and operations, and to submit and annual legislative budget request and any amendments thereto for the Board office to the Board for approval.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rodrigues \u201cshall serve as the Board\u2019s liaison for communications with university boards of trustees, university presidents and other university officers and employees, the Governors and the Governor\u2019s staff, the Legislature and the Legislature\u2019s staff, the media, other state entities, and the public.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rodrigues has served as university chancellor since 2022. He\u2019s now paid a $441,252 salary, some $40,000 more than under his first contract. Rodrigues previously served 12 years in the Florida Legislature. As of Dec. 2021 \u2014 his most recently available financial disclosure form \u2014 his net worth was $313,213.<\/p>\n

Florida Phoenix<\/a> is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tThe State University System approved his three-year contract extension with a $600,000 base salary with a chance at a 20% performance bonus.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Muslim civil-rights organization claims the governor\u2019s order blocking the group from state resources is unconstitutional.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

This article appears in Dec. 11 \u2013 17, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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