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Crystal River, city manager part ways

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 15, 2005

CRYSTAL RIVER - The much-anticipated City Council hearing on Tuesday night to determine whether or not to fire City Manager Susan Boyer for allegedly violating the city charter has been canceled because the two sides agreed to part ways.

In a 4-1 vote on Monday night, the council accepted Boyer's proposed settlement and ended what could have been a lengthy and costly legal dispute. Council member Susan Kirk cast the lone nay vote.

The council made its decision after City Attorney David La Croix had told them that continuing with the process to fire Boyer could put the city in legal peril and potentially cost the city as much as $330,000. Instead, the council adopted Boyer's proposal.

Her resignation will become effective on May 15. But that will not be the end of her relationship with the city.

Boyer, who currently makes nearly $79,000 annually, will go on administrative leave on March 16. The leave would run from March 16 to May 15.

During the leave, Boyer will no longer be required to live in the city but will be available by telephone during "normal workdays" to assist a yet-to-be-named interim city manager.

The city will also pay by March 25 for all the sick leave and vacation time she has accrued during her two-year tenure and reimburse her for $5,000 she has spent in attorney's fees.

After the May 15 resignation date, Boyer will continue to collect "all pay and health and retirement benefits" until Nov. 15, when her employment contract with the city will expire.

The council also agreed to furnish her with recommendations when she applies for other jobs. The recommendations are to be based on the "excellent" job performance she received last fall, and would require the signature of either the mayor or a council member of her choosing.

- , Times Staff Writer

[Last modified February 15, 2005, 05:10:24]