Bluff City amends city manager contract to provide four months’ severance

Bluff City’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to amend the city manager contract to provide a four-month severance payment if the manager is terminated without cause.

Council members discussed multiple severance scenarios after candidate questions from “Miss Morris,” who had requested a larger severance than the one-month figure initially offered by the board. The original draft included six months; the board previously proposed a one-month severance, and the candidate asked for four months with language specifying that severance would end upon securing new employment. Board members debated that provision at length and clarified that misconduct and criminal behavior would void any severance payment.

A motion to modify the contract to provide four months’ severance was made, seconded and carried at the meeting. Council members acknowledged the town’s budget had already accounted for several months of the candidate’s compensation and that the board expects performance standards and will not lightly employ severance for cause-related terminations. The revised contract language will be finalized by staff and sent to the candidate for signature.