City manager gets multi-year contract extension

Commissioners unanimously approved an extension to Alachua City Manager Traci Cain’s employment contract during a meeting Jan. 10.  Cain’s previous contract began March 1, 2010 and was set to expire on Feb. 28, 2011.

The new contract extends Cain’s employment to Sept. 30, 2014.  City Attorney Marian Rush said the new timetable coincides with the city’s budget cycle and falls just after a performance evaluation of the city manager.

In addition to the extension, other changes, mostly minor, were made to the terms of Cain’s employment.  Her current salary of $111,500 annually does not increase as a result of the extension.  The commission imposed a general freeze on raises last year.

Stricken from the new contract is a provision that allowed Cain to return to her prior position as Assistant City Manager.  Instead, a section allowing for a severance package was included.  If the commission fires Cain before the contract expires, she would be entitled to a lump sum cash payment equal to six months of her salary, plus all accrued annual leave and up to 200 hours of sick leave.

Commissioner Robert Wilford noted that the originally proposed language did not cap the sick leave payout.  He recommended the cap to be consistent with an existing ordinance that caps sick leave payout at 200 hours for the city’s general employees.

In the absence of a morals clause, the commission included a provision that states Cain could be fired without severance pay if she were convicted of an illegal act involving a personal gain to her or convicted of any felony.

Broad language that allowed the city to pay for educational expenses virtually anywhere and for any purpose was restricted to allow for up to $8,000 per fiscal year, only at an accredited college or university.  The expenses may only be paid by the city if the budgeted funds are available.

Commissioner Orien Hills inquired of Cain if she intended to utilize the educational expense opportunity and was pleased when Cain said she planned on it.

Mayor Gib Coerper said he appreciated Cain’s work so far, adding, “I’ve known [Cain] for over 10 years and she’s always done an excellent job no matter what position she’s been in and I know she’ll continue to do an excellent job as city manager.”