Woodside council approves employment agreement for new town manager Jason Ledbetter

The Woodside Town Council voted unanimously on April 8 to approve an employment agreement with Jason Ledbetter to serve as town manager, with a start date of May 15.

Under the contract described on the open agenda by the town attorney, the initial term is three years with automatic one-year renewals unless terminated by either party. The agreement sets an initial base salary of $300,000, employer-provided benefits consistent with other full-time town employees, a one-year life-insurance policy equal to one year's salary, a $300 monthly auto allowance, a moving-allowance reimbursement cap of $7,500, and housing assistance of $2,500 per month during the term.

Town Attorney Jean explained mandatory public-contract provisions: Ledbetter will be an at-will employee, undergo a six-month and then annual performance evaluation, and be credited with seven years of service for personal-leave accrual at contract start. If the town terminates the manager without cause the contract provides six months' severance; terminations for cause do not trigger severance. The town also agrees to defend and indemnify the manager for acts within the scope of employment as allowed by law.

Council members praised the finalist and completed a roll-call vote approving the agreement. After the vote, Ledbetter addressed the council and attendees, saying he was "beyond ecstatic" to join the town and cited priorities including staff stabilization, the town center plan and financial planning.

The contract will take effect on the stated start date and the council directed staff to coordinate transition meetings with the outgoing town manager.