Limited-time severance deals offered to Oro Valley employees

The Town Council approved the measure on a 5-2 vote Wednesday night. Mayor Paul Loomis and Vice Mayor Kenneth “KC” Carter opposed it.

The action came a week after a divided council went against Town Manager David Andrews’ recommendations and approved the use of $584,000 in reserve funds to preserve 16 positions slated for elimination. The council will review the matter again in six months.

The approved severance package is based on years of service. Employees who have worked in the town five or more years will receive 90 days of pay and benefits. For those employed less than five years, it will be 60 days.

Councilman Bill Garner, who opposed taking money from reserves to avoid employee layoffs, made the motion to offer interested employees an option to approach human resources in confidence.

Some employees already have resigned because of the uncertainty surrounding town jobs, Garner said.

Having the opportunity to leave on their own will allow employees “to create their own destiny,” he said.

Garner, along with fellow council members Salette Latas and Barry Gillaspie have argued that using reserves would be detrimental to the town’s long-term financial health.

Garner and Gillaspie also have noted that a drop in construction has meant less work for some employees.

On Wednesday night, Paula Abbott and Al Kunisch, who voted to save jobs last week, also supported Garner’s motion.

“It will be empowering our employees,” Abbott said.

The mayor did not state a specific reason for voting against the measure. But as the council discussed the possibility of offering employee severance, Loomis noted that efforts this year are “minor compared to what we’ll be going through next year.”