PORT ANGELES –– Port commissioners approved a contract for the newly named executive director after disagreeing on Karen Goschen’s severance package.
Commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to approve the contract that will pay Goschen, named executive director on June 27, $145,000 annually.
Goschen has served as interim director since former director Ken O’Hollaren resigned effective Dec. 31. Her first day as executive director was Monday.
She will have a written performance review and compensation review after six months.
If the port decides to fire Goschen, the port is required to pay her up to six months’ total salary.
Goschen would at first receive four months’ salary plus one additional month for each year she has been employed as executive director up to a maximum of six months’ total salary.
Colleen McAleer, who voted against the contract, said she could not support the severance package.
“I fully support Karen Goschen as executive director,” she said. “I will not support four months or anything close to that amount.”
McAleer said O’Hollaren did not have a severance package.
“I expect Karen Goschen will serve this port for years to come and she will decide when she retires,” McAleer said. “[This] ties the hands of a future commission.
“No matter who we would have appointed, I would have made these same comments.”
Port Commissioner Steve Burke said it’s accepted practice to provide severance for administrators who report to a political body.
“There is not the assertion that just because they do a good job, they get to stay,” he said.
Burke said that because the port’s commission is an elected body, the goals of the board could change drastically after an election.
Port Commissioner Connie Beauvais presented four examples of severance packages for local top administrators if they are fired by their governing body.
“I think we are right in line and are showing [Goschen] respect,” Beauvais said.
McAleer replied, saying she can’t support four months’ salary for Goschen just because other municipalities have provided similar severance packages.
“I will not vote for this contract with four months’ severance,” she said. “The sole reason for me not voting is the severance.
“I have full support of Karen Goschen.”
The port does not have to provide the severance package if Goschen is fired because of gross negligence, insubordination or conviction of any illegal act involving personal gain to herself or any felony.
If Goschen voluntarily resigns, she is required to give the port two months’ notice.
Contract benefits include mileage reimbursement at the IRS standard mileage rate for business miles and six weeks of vacation per year. The port will provide medical, dental, life insurance and retirement benefits.
The executive director supervises 43 full-time-equivalent employees and administer budgets of $8.3 million for operations and $15.5 million for capital projects for 2016.
Before serving as interim executive director, Goschen was finance director-deputy executive director.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.