The Fernandina Beach City Commission will be presented today a proposed severance package totaling $50,000 for ex-City Manager Ty Ross, who resigned last Friday after holding the job for nine weeks.
Ross verbally resigned following intense scrunity over his behavior involving an alcohol-related bicycle accident on Oct. 29 and his subsequent failure to inform city commissioners of the incident in which police were called and Ross was driven home.
City Attorney Tammi Bach said she had negotiated six weeks of pay as severance despite Ross' contract with the city that states if he resigned he would get only his salary to the date of his resignation. That sum totals $26,710 in the draft settlement.
But Ross will also get $10,384 in vacation and accrued sick time. The proposal also lists $7,500 for relocation expenses, although Ross never formally moved his family from Tennessee to the city. He would also receive $2,596 in retirement benefits and $2,837 in FICA.
The total proposed cost to the city for severance is $50,773.
The severance package will be discussed at a special meeting of the city commission at 5 p.m. along with next steps to name a successor to Ross as city manager. Deputy City Manager Charlie George is acting as the interim city manager.
The proposed settlement is attached:
Speaking of Dale Martin, I think his steadying influence and professionalism is looking pretty good about now. Flagler Beach was sure thrilled to get him. In retrospect, the Common Sense people and all wanting Dale gone including the three Commissioners that made it happen should realize the amount of egg they have all over their faces. At least I can see it. Add that to how much money and time has been wasted and they have certainly been made to look rather foolish.
If I was Charlie George I would be giving the City Commission a long hard look. If down the road he is offered the full time City Manager job instead of just being the interim replacement can he trust his employers? Currently he is a city employee and there is a protocol for firing and the Commission is not involved. Step into the full time Manager position, then according to the City Charter- the hiring and firing power would reside with the Commission who can change their minds from one day to the next- no explanation needed, which we have certainly witnessed.
it sounds like I should work for the city. give it my best two month, resign and then cash out. It’s a win win!
Honestly, I think we may have been scammed.
"City Attorney Tammi Bach said she had negotiated six weeks of pay as severance". What negotiation? He was due, per contract, to be paid only for time worked. He was never going to let himself be terminated; that would be deadly for his career. What a cluster!