The Highland Beach Town Commission has found a way to spend almost $90,000 of taxpayers’ money and get absolutely nothing in return. There is no product or service that the town receives for this expense. Other town governments may want to look into this new spending idea.
At the Feb. 1 commission meeting, a motion was passed to suspend the town manager for five months with pay, including benefits.
The manager is not to return to the town property during the suspension, and was required to immediately turn in any equipment owned by the town, except for the automobile leased for his use.
The town manager receives an annual salary of $180,000 and benefits. The manager immediately left the premises (smiling?).
The motion passed 3-2 with the mayor voting with the majority. I am encouraged by the fact that two of the commissioners seem to have retained their sanity.
The reason for this action was the commission’s disagreement with the manager’s following the town code in a matter involving unacceptable behavior by another employee under his supervision.
The town manager now has a five-month vacation with pay.
The town gets the opportunity to shop for an interim manager for the period. I chalk this up to an effort at “job creation.”
Other towns should be encouraged to look into this method of spending tax dollars.
Alan Teller
Highland Beach
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