The Tarrant Regional Water District board has accepted terms of a settlement with former General Manager Jim Oliver.
When Oliver retired earlier this year he was awarded near a year's salary in accrued vacation and other paid time off. The award was ordered by former board president Jack Stevens who had just recently lost his seat in the May election.
But in June the incoming newly elected board revoked the payment. Of the five board members, only Mary Kelleher voted against the settlement, saying afterward that Olive and Stevens had "shamelessly used an exception clause in an out-dated HR policy" to give Oliver about $300,000 in public money.
The Board issued a statement afterward saying the decision was made to save legal fees and to save the time needed to deal with a potential lawsuit.
The statement says:
This proposed settlement and release was approved after the Board received extensive guidance and advice from external attorneys who were specifically retained to provide the Board independent and objective counsel on these issues. Attorneys with Thompson & Horton negotiated with the attorney representing Mr. Oliver to reach acceptable terms for a potential resolution. Once all parties have agreed to final terms and conditions, that information will be available to the public.
The Board took the action after a close examination of the risk of incurring extensive legal fees and expenses, compounded by the loss of time and productivity that would have to be devoted to a lawsuit of this type. The Board did not reconsider its June 29th action to revoke the payment of more than $300,000 in unearned leave to Mr. Oliver, approved by the prior board president. The Board's June 29th decision was quick, unanimous and final.
This is clearly a victory for the taxpayers, our customers, and stakeholders The decision frames and structures our future path to allow us to continue our focus on providing a quality and reliable water supply, flood protection, and local recreational opportunities. And we will do so in a transparent way.
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