The city of Punta Gorda will pay former City Manager Greg Murray a 20-week severance thanks to a last-minute change in his contract.
On Nov. 5, council members Lynne Matthews, Bill Dryburgh and Donna Peterman were voted out of their seats. The next day, at their last council meeting, they all voted to make a change to Murray's contract: give him a 20-week severance package regardless of how he leaves. According to the contract, Murray's 2024 salary was $197,283. A 20-week payout means he'd receive $75,878.
The severance was not on the council's agenda. Matthews introduced it, and it passed 3-2.
Murray told the city five days later he was resigning. NBC2 received a copy of his resignation letter. It stated in part:
"It is very difficult for staff to work in an environment where all protocols, and the charter itself, is ignored and repeatedly violated without recourse."
He went on to say, "...I thought I had found a place that was collegiate, engaged and above petty bickering... I was wrong."
Vice Mayor Greg Julian is part of the newly elected group of council members.
"It was surprising at all. We had been talking about this throughout our campaigns and the residents had been telling us that's what they wanted. What was surprising was when Lynne Matthews introduced the severance package in her last council meeting," Julian said. "I can honestly say I've never seen that happen."
NBC2 reached out to Murray, as well as the three former council members who voted on the severance. Only Peterman replied, saying, "Greg Murray was the best City Manager I ever served with. He deserved it. I'm sorry he resigned. It's unfortunate for the City."
Deborah Lux voted against the measure. In a statement to NBC2, she said, "He made his decision and we accepted it. Now we are ready to move forward with a renewed focus on listening to our residents, ensuring transparency, and working together to shape our City into what the community envisions and expects."
Julian said they will reconsider the severance at the next city council meeting, but they may not be able to overturn it.
"We’ve had two different attorneys that have provided opinions on it and basically said that they didn’t do anything illegal," Julian said.