Job severance cost five months’ wages

Published: February 02, 2011 5:00 PM Summerland review:

When municipal council eliminated the economic development officer position in late November, it was a decision that came at a price.  Municipal administrator Don DeGagne said the severance amounted to five months’ wages for economic development officer Scott Boswell.  Boswell had held the position for five years and the severance of one month’s pay for every year of employment is the municipality’s standard payout, DeGagne said.  In April 2010, council renewed the position for a three-year term.  When the economic development officer position was cut, members of council said the community could not justify the cost of the position, which was around $140,000 a year, including wages, programs and other costs. However, since that time, council has been meeting to discuss how to bring back an economic officer position with a new job description.  Mayor Janice Perrino has said the new role will likely work on assisting existing businesses, helping businesses looking to relocate to Summerland and working with the Summerland Chamber of Economic Development and Tourism to promote the community.