SEBASTIAN — The Sebastian City Council approved its contract with newly hired City Manager Joe Griffin at the Wednesday evening Council meeting. The contract consists of a $115,000 annual salary and no caps on vacation and sick time.
City Councilman Jerome Adams asked his fellow Council members to consider a cap for accruing vacation and sick time or the payout for the time. He said that in looking at what other municipal governments provide in contracts, it would seem Sebastian should have caps.
Other Council members did not share Adams’ concerns.
“I think this is pretty standard,” Vice Mayor Jim Hill said of the vacation and sick time. He added that he’d be more concerned about the policy if the Council had hired someone younger who might be with the City for 20 or 30 years.
“I don’t see this as being a $200,000 parachute,” Hill said.
Hill said that he felt Griffin will have earned the time and should be paid it if he leaves without using it, especially because of what he considers Griffin’s low salary.
He explained that he thought Griffin could have negotiated for more pay, but didn’t.
Adams assured Griffin and the Council that his comments regarding caps was not specific to Griffin, just the process and policy.
“We have to start somewhere,” he said.
Councilman Richard Gillmor said he supported Griffin’s contract as is, but he also could see Adams’ position.
“You’re point’s well-taken,” he said. Gillmor concurred with Hill that if the Council had hired someone who could be with the City for decades, then caps might be appropriate.
Gillmor and Hill both said they felt such discussions should be on an individual basis as new charter officers are hired. The City has three such officers, the City Clerk, City Attorney, and the City Manager.
In the end, the Council voted unanimously to approve Griffin’s contract, which also provides for a City surplus vehicle for both business use and personal use within 25 miles of the City, and health, dental and vision insurance for both Griffin and his spouse, which other employees are entitled to.
Under terms granted to others in management positions in the City, Griffin will also receive a 401a retirement contribution, disability, discretionary time, and professional association dues.
