Council approves amended separation agreement for City Manager Dustin Reif

The Dunsmuir City Council on Nov. 12 approved an amended employment agreement that the city described as a separation agreement with City Manager Dustin Reif. City attorney Lim summarized the terms for the council: Reif will be on paid administrative leave through the end of the year with full salary and benefits, will resign effective Jan. 3, 2026, and will receive severance that extends through June 6, 2026; the agreement also allows cash‑out of vacation and continuation of employment benefits for the stated period.

The terms were disclosed in open session after the council reported the matter had been negotiated during a closed session. Lim told the council the amendment “wraps up all business with [Mr. Reif],” and that the agreement includes a mutual liability release carried forward from the original contract. Council member S10 moved to approve the amended appointment agreement under Government Code section 54953(c)(3); the motion passed on a roll-call vote.

The public comment period before the vote featured multiple speakers urging transparency and questioning the cost and rationale for the separation. One Zoom commenter, Dina, said, “He tricked a lot of people…this was the 4th time he’s done this,” and asked the council to “get it right next time.” Another resident asked whether outstanding worker‑compensation claims were addressed; the city attorney clarified the amendment “wraps up all business” with the manager.

Council members said they could not disclose closed‑session deliberations but committed to releasing a public statement about the decision once procedural steps are completed. The council did not provide further financial line‑item detail in the meeting; questions about precise dollar amounts and any third‑party claims were not specified during the session.