A separation agreement between the city of Eureka and former City Manager Dean Lotter sees him receiving just more than $129,000 to part ways, including a lump sum severance, accrued vacation time and the equivalent of his salary for three pay periods.
The agreement, which serves as Lotter’s resignation, states that both parties have determined that “they are not effective as a team as they mutually had expected, hoped and demanded of themselves to serve the city’s residents.”
It also states that “Lotter has decided that he would like to pursue other professional opportunities.”
The Midwest native was selected for the post after a months-long nationwide search that saw the Lotter compete with 40 other candidates. His resignation after a scant four months on the job shook up the city’s leadership structure just as Eureka is preparing to tackle difficult budget decisions amid the COVID-19-related economic downturn.
City Attorney Robert Black told councilmembers when they accepted Lotter’s resignation on May 19 that “the separation is a clean one in that both sides are allowed to go their own way and put this situation behind us.”
The council is scheduled to discuss the city manager position on June 2.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct that Lotter will receive the equivalent of three pay periods, or $21,250, as part of the $129,000 separation agreement.
This article appears in Her Name Was Ida.
Really this guys is gonna get away with stealing tax payer money. Some teacher or police office will have to see a cut in pay because of this guy. He should be ashamed as should the City for providing 3 months pay on top of everything else.
This story has been updated to correct that Lotter will receive the equivalent of three pay periods, or $21,250, as part of the $129,000 separation agreement.
How long is one pay period, one might wonder?
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There is more to this story. You mean to tell me that Mr. Lotter was selected and relocated from the Midwest to come to Eureka to accept the City Managers position and he lasted only four months. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to read between the lines. This City had to list the vacancy outside of this area so they would not be in the wrong and to cover their butts. At least they could say they did interview at least 40 candidates but in the end they selected Mr. Lotter. However, four months into the job, it became a personnel issue. Whats the real story? Was he not a suitable candidate after being hired for the good old boy network that is currently in existence in this City? Now that Mr. Lotter is no longer the City Manager, the City of Eureka can now put the real person they really wanted in the position. It costs money to recruit to fill a vacancy. Valuable time is used to interview the candidates.
The City of Eureka needs to be Investigated by the FBI and everyone at City Hall needs to be FIRED. This City continues to pay out hush monies to individuals and settling lawsuits instead of cleaning up this filthy City. The failing infrastructure needs a major overhaul, good paying jobs should be brought here instead of In and Out Burger and other fast food restaurants which dominates this City. This City desires change but with the current situation at City Hall this City will never progress because of the good old boy network. Hiring and letting go of qualified individuals coming from outside of this area is totally unacceptable. Stop paying out the taxpayers monies to settle frivolous actions and lawsuits. Use the monies to clean up this City. I am entitled to free speech so I dont need anyone to attack me. Take a good look at this City and see how it is crumbling. Demolish the good old boy network and bring in outsiders to get this City back on track.