Menifee city manager's severance package: $235,491

Those who complain about the salaries of city officials might be surprised to learn how much some former city officials are paid.

Rob Johnson set the record for departing Menifee public servants Wednesday when the Menifee City Council unanimously approved a total of $235,491 as his severance package following what was officially termed his resignation as city manager Dec. 27. That tops the previous severance package paid to Bill Rawlings, who in 2012 was paid more than $193,000 as a result of his resignation as city manager following the election of Scott Mann as the new mayor.

Add to that the $92,000 severance package given to original city manager George Wentz -- who resigned in 2010 following a controversial financial audit -- and you have a total of more than $520,000 that the City of Menifee has paid three city managers to go away.

A copy of Johnson's separation agreement distributed to the media after Wednesday night's City Council meeting included a statement intended to "clarify the situation", stating that Johnson "agreed to resign his position." By resigning, Johnson receives not only the six months' salary separation pay guaranteed in his contract, he receives an additional two months' salary.

According to the agreement, Johnson receives the additional pay because he wasn't given the 60 days' notice required for the City Council to terminate him. So whether they call it a firing, termination, resignation or whatever, with his accumulated administrative leave, vacation and sick leave, Johnson walks away with what almost amounts to an extra year's salary.

Johnson, who had never previously worked as a city manager, also waives any claims against the city regarding his employment status or performance evaluation.

So what's the real story behind Johnson's departure? We may never know because of the confidentiality of personnel files. Granted, Johnson's decision to write a $12,400 check to Mann to attend a Harvard leadership seminar last summer (a check later voided) was called into question by some council members. Overall, however, virtually no details have been released -- and city officials have made it clear they won't be.

The statement attached to the end of the separation agreement, intended to clarify the situation, did little to explain things. In part, it read that "the Council wishes to thank Mr. Johnson for his service and express appreciation for the many positive contributions he provided to the city during his tenure." Yet the next sentence states that "Nevertheless, through the City Council's recent performance evaluation process, the Council and Mr. Johnson came to the mutual agreement that the City is now at a juncture where it would be best for all involved to proceed under the leadership of a new city manager."

Moreover, the separation agreement states that only the current mayor is authorized to respond to a prospective employer seeking a job reference for Johnson. This means that Neil Winter, who just took office in December and never worked with Johnson, is the only one authorized to respond to communication regarding him.

Ajit Thind, acting in place of ailing city attorney Jeffrey Melching, reiterated from the dais during Wednesday's meeting that the agreement "designates the mayor as the single point of contact regarding the circumstances" of Johnson's departure.

Resident Katie Minnear told council members that the city needs to look more carefully at the wording of future contracts and that Johnson "should've been fired and not given the option to resign." Responding to that comment, mayor pro tem Matt Liesemeyer told Minnear, "You're right in regards to contracts moving forward."

Jeff Wyman, the City's Economic Development Director, is serving as acting city manager while the search for a replacement is conducted.