The Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority Board voted Wednesday to retain the services of its executive director for another five years.
Michael Patrick has served as the WWTA’s executive director since 2019, after a two-year stint as the authority’s chief engineer. A 2024 press release from the authority credited Patrick for his role in negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency leading to a $300 million federal consent decree settlement. Those negotiations began in 2014 following a lawsuit against the authority by nonprofit environmental group Tennessee Riverkeeper.
Public records indicate Patrick was being paid $124,000 in May 2023 and just under $145,990 this year, a pay increase he said was tied to a percentage-based raise for all WWTA employees.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press received a copy of the new contract, which provides Patrick a flat salary of $146,000, with the option each fiscal year for the board to adjust compensation based on performance and available funding.
Contact growth and development reporter Raymon Troncoso rtroncoso@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6317.
