The Lubbock City Council hired Jarrett Atkinson and approved a severance agreement with him on Thursday night. Atkinson will replace retiring city manager James Loomis.
Atkinson’s base pay will be $250,000 per year plus he will be paid an automobile allowance, a communications allowance, deferred compensation, relocation expense and other benefits.
Atkinson can leave the city without paying a penalty but if the city council fires Jarrett without cause, the city must pay at least six months of base pay.
Additionally, Atkinson would get one extra month of severance for every year he stays with the city – up to a maximum of 12 months severance pay.
The city can terminate Atkinson for cause without financial penalty.
The agreement says, “Nothing in this severance shall prevent, limit, or otherwise interfere with the right of Atkinson to resign and terminate his employment by the city at any time, should he choose to do so, upon thirty (30) days prior written notice.”
Cause includes gross negligence in his job, conviction of a felony, misuse of public funds, fraud, inability to perform as city manager or death.
If the city reduces Atkinson’s pay by a greater percentage than any universal reduction of pay for all city employees then the city must pay the severance.
The city does get some lawsuit protection in the agreement.
The agreement says, “With the exception of legal action to enforce the terms of this severance agreement, Atkinson shall waive, and does waive, the right to bring suit against the city for any cause whatsoever… ”
Atkinson starts his new job on December 12.
The terms of Atkinson’s compensation are copied below:
- Annual base salary: $250,000, paid per City pay period.
- Automobile allowance: $6,540 (annually), paid per City pay period.
- Communications allowance: $1,200 (annually), paid per City pay period.
- Deferred Compensation: deposit of the maximum allowable amount into 457 plan (annually), deposited per City pay period.
- This Term Sheet states the initial compensation package for the City Manager. These terms may be adjusted by the city council from time to time during his employment.
- Vacation: 10 days accrued, effective on hire date; thereafter accrues per Lubbock Personnel Policy.
- Relocation expense: A reimbursement of no more than $6,000 to be paid upon presentment of a proper invoice or other documentation.
- Professional dues, memberships, and expenses arising from travel and attendance for continuing education and professional development.
- Business travel costs as reasonable & necessary (example: Legislature; municipal coalitions, etc).
- Other benefits as provided pursuant to the Lubbock Personnel Policy (sick, health insurance, etc.).