Council to approve appropriations

The Sisters City Council will decide on a proposed supplemental budget at the May 9 city council meeting.

A transfer of appropriations totaling $92,906 is proposed to several city funds to adjust the budget to account for the severance payment to former city manager Eileen Stein.

Stein received a severance package totaling approximately $98,000 as part of a settlement agreement in April that included her resignation from her position after an 11-year tenure.

The amount of the severance package was startling to some in the community; it represents a month's salary and benefits for each year of Stein's tenure. Her contract called for four months' severance.

Brad Boyd told The Nugget that "this is a fairly standard way of calculating severance for a long-term employee. And it was a necessary, fair and appropriate means to bring this chapter to a close."

According to city finance director Lisa Young, net budgetary effect to the overall FY 12/13 budgets is zero as the budgeted appropriations are being transferred from one category or program to another within each fund.

Transfers from operating contingencies to personnel services include:

• General Fund/Council Manager $55,743

• Water Fund $12,078

• Street Fund $12,078

• Sewer Fund $13,007

A copy of the supplemental budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after May 1, 2013 at City Hall, 520 E. Cascade Ave., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

For more information contact Lisa Young, finance director, at [email protected] or 541-323-5204.