As an expected third record-breaking year for wagering and revenues draws to a close, the head of the Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino stands to make much more money next year than the vast majority of CEOs of charities in Iowa and across the country.

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Prairie Meadows’ 13-member board voted unanimously Wednesday night to give Gary Palmer, president and CEO of the Altoona racino, a 9% raise in 2024. That will bring his base salary to about $725,000, up from $664,000 in 2023.

The substantial hike doesn’t include Palmer’s as-yet undetermined bonus, which in other top-performing recent years has far exceeded his base pay.