Highland council cuts administrator

HIGHLAND — The Highland City Council canceled the current contract of city administrator Barry Edwards this week, a move that raised questions from two incoming councilmen.

Edwards leaves with a cushy severance package, one that gives him well over $10,000 a month for the next four months and payout of sick leave up to 500 hours.

That payout is from his $117,249 annual salary and $500 a month car allowance. His severance, depending on sick leave, could amount to half his yearly salary.

The decision, Edwards said, was something he asked for. He's worked for the city for 11 years.

Per his contract, by being terminated without cause as the council unanimously voted Tuesday, he is awarded the severance.

But the two councilmen-elect, who start in January, say it was a sweetheart deal. When the new administration starts, they said, they were planning on exploring terminating Edwards, who was a common complaint of residents during campaigning for the November election.

"Basically, the majority of people want some changes in the city," said Scott Smith, councilman-elect. "People have had concerns for his heavy-handed administration style. I think we should say thanks to Mr. Edwards, and we're starting with a clean slate."

Tuesday's council meeting was the last meeting of the year for the outgoing mayor, who lost his bid for a second term, and two council members, both of whom did not seek re-election.

When asked if the new elected officials would have looked into firing Edwards, Councilman-elect Tom Butler said it's "a moot point."

"They've pre-empted any action the City Council may have taken at the first of the year," Butler said.

Mayor Jay Franson did not allow any public comment on the issue during Tuesday's meeting.

"This is a very sensitive and private matter," Franson said. "I would rather keep it to the council."

The current council acknowledged Edwards has had his weaknesses over the past decade.

"I've been frustrated, as many of the residents have been, over what's happened to the city," said Councilman Brian Braithwaite, acknowledging that he didn't get along with Edwards at first but had "grown to know his strengths."

"This is probably the toughest decision I've had to make in my 13 years on the City Council," added outgoing Councilman Brian Brunson. "I believe the time has come to part ways. But I believe the city administrator is not unlike a football coach. There's a certain time of peak performance. Sometimes changing city administrators is not a reflection on the administrator but where the city wants to go."

Edwards will continue working for the city for 30 days.

Franson will appoint an acting city administrator Monday.

e-mail: astowell@desnews.com