Givens and Hearn receive exceeds expectations ratings after requesting limits on raises
Coral Springs, Florida – City Manager Catherine Givens and City Attorney John Hearn received unanimous “exceeds expectations” ratings from the Coral Springs City Commission on October 7, following requests from both officials to limit their raises.
Mayor Scott Brook had wanted to give Givens the highest possible rating. Givens, however, had asked that her raise be capped at the maximum increase available to general city employees who receive an “exceeds expectations” review. Hearn made the same request.
The commission approved their evaluations in separate votes near the end of the meeting. Both officials’ contracts connect their performance ratings to the size of their raises, making the reviews part of the process for determining their compensation.
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Hearn’s contract, which dates to 2011, provides a raise of 6.1% to 7% for a “substantially exceeds expectations” rating. The next category, described in that contract as “above expectations,” carries an increase of 4.1% to 6%.
Givens’ contract was signed in December 2024 and also links raises to review results. However, the meeting documents do not identify her percentage ranges. They also do not specify the maximum increase for general employees rated “exceeds expectations,” and that figure was not discussed during the meeting.
Givens receives $303,050 in annual base pay, a $7,200 car allowance, and a $1,500 health stipend. Hearn’s salary is $362,770.
Commissioner Shawn Cerra highlighted challenges Givens has managed over the past year and a half. Those included the loss of an elected official, a plane crash within the city, and flooding at City Hall.
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Her salary “has been discussed publicly, but she’s not even the top third in Broward County,” Cerra said.
The commission’s action also keeps Givens’ benefits aligned with those provided to the former city manager. In responding to the review, Givens credited the collective effort behind the city’s work.
“Yes, it’s been a tough year, but at the same time, we’ve pulled through together as a team,” Givens said.
During Hearn’s evaluation, Brook pointed to money recovered with help from the city attorney’s office. He said the office assisted in collecting more than $4.5 million during fiscal 2025-26, including over $3 million from forfeiture cases.
The city has also received approximately $1 million so far through lawsuits involving PFAS, chemicals found in firefighting foam. Brook cited those financial results while praising the office’s contribution.
“So the value that you and your team bring is well beyond your salary, well beyond,” Brook said.
