Barb Barrick, who resigned this week from her post as Fort Dodge city clerk and finance director, will receive a severance payment of about $24,000, an official said Wednesday.
She will also receive health insurance coverage through the local government for three months, according to Jim Vollmer, the city's human resources director.
Barrick abruptly resigned Monday. She did not give a reason for her departure, and City Council members have declined to comment on it.
Vollmer said Wednesday that Barrick will receive a severance payment equal to ''four-twelfths of her salary.'' He calculated that amount to be $24,343.84.
Giving her three months of health insurance coverage, Vollmer said, is standard procedure under the city's benefit policy for non-union employees.
The severance package was not mentioned when the council voted unanimously to accept Barrick's resignation. Mayor Matt Bemrich and councilmen Andy Fritz and Don Wilson said the elected officials were briefed on it during a closed door session immediately before voting on the resignation. State law permits such meetings outside the public's view to discuss personnel matters and to evaluate the workplace performance of employees.
Vollmer said the council approved the severance package by accepting Barrick's resignation.
''I believe the city acted in the interests of its citizens and the interest of the employee,'' Bemrich said.
Barrick became city clerk and finance director on Aug. 24, 2009.
On Wednesday she sent a short e-mail to The Messenger stating, ''I guess I would say that in exchange for my resignation, the council offered me a negotiated severance package.''
Following Monday's council meeting, she issued a written statement indicating that she and her family were sad to be leaving Fort Dodge.
''However, at the end of the day, I have to be able to look at myself in the mirror, knowing that I still possess my integrity,'' she said.
''I would just wish her the best of luck,'' Wilson said. ''She was very, very open. I can't say enough about how she handled her job whenever a City Council member or someone came in off the street asking for information.''
Councilman Kelly Hindman confirmed the details of Barrick's separation package, but declined to comment further. Fritz also declined to comment further. Councilman Robert ''Barney'' Patterson declined to comment.
Calls seeking comment from councilmembers Dave Flattery, Margy Halverson-Collins and Curt Olson were not returned Wednesday.
Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net