‘Appropriate' city severance pay is zero
Some decisions are easy for elected officials; some are more difficult. In the case of the recent resignation of our city manager, Bryan Shuler, I am a bit surprised at the seemingly difficult time that our leaders are having simply saying what will be done in the case of the "appropriate" severance package to be awarded to the former city employee.
Let me make a suggestion: Be gracious. Award him the same package a city school teacher receives when they voluntarily leave their post after 11 years. Or maybe the same as a city policeman or fireman when they leave for personal reasons. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
Not one citizen of Gainesville works to toss their hard-earned money down a bottomless hole, especially in economic times such as we are now experiencing. In his own words, Mr. Shuler, stated that he was voluntarily vacating the post as city manager to care for his elderly parents. We wish him and his family all the best.
But let's not forget, his contract states that if he voluntarily resigns, he is entitled to no severance package. Playing on an old joke, "How many lawyers (or city council members) does it take to read a contract?" I would hope that the answer would be five council members, one attorney and a time span of about 30 seconds.
Don't make this harder than it is. Do the right thing for your citizens. Just say, "no."
Jeff Pierce
Gainesville
1 comment:
Well Done, Sir.
The Council has created a legal precedent that must now be applied to all voluntary self terminations, including voluntary self terminations while under suspension or investigation.
The Council just wrote law.
It should be enforced for all employees equally, including when the city orders a termination without cause.
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