It is not clear what caused Schommer’s resignation. Glenn Otto, an at-large member of city council, told the Dayton Daily News it had to do with a disagreement between council and Schommer, but declined to provide details.
Schommer declined to comment further on what caused his resignation in a Thursday phone call, saying the documents “provide the information.” His resignation letter cites “new personal opportunities.”
Gore told the Dayton Daily News Schommer resigned for other opportunities. Three members of council, including Otto, Richard Shaw, Ward 1 councilman, and Ed Lyons, Ward 6 councilman, said that was not true.
In Schommer’s resignation letter and consulting agreement, which was obtained by the Dayton Daily News, the city agreed to pay Schommer a lump sum of $150,000 within seven days of the date of the agreement. The city is also paying for Schommer’s health, dental and vision insurance at city expense through March 31, 2022.
Otto said the city should not be paying for a severance package if he resigned for other opportunities.
“I was under the understanding that this was a release, that we were negotiating a release, but I did not - I was completely unaware he was resigning to pursue other opportunities,” Otto said during Wednesday night’s meeting.
Gore described the resignation package during the meeting on Monday.
“It is now 7:45, we have come out of executive session, and based on the discussion, we would entertain a motion to direct the city law director to execute a resignation and consultation agreement for Rob Schommer for a total of $150,000 for that agreement,” Gore said. “Is there a motion?”
According to his city manager’s contract obtained by the Dayton Daily News, if Schommer was terminated without cause the city would have to pay him:
- A lump sum cash payment equal to six months of his annual base salary;
- The unpaid balance of salary earned from the beginning of the then-current pay period through the date of termination;
- Pay for all accrued benefits in according with the Employment Manual of the City applicable to all employees and ;
- Continue health, dental and vision insurance for up to 12 months at city expense or until other coverage is provided to Schommer.
Lyons, Otto and Shaw asked for clarification on Wednesday. Gore asked council member to keep to the matter at hand. Other members of city council, including Nancy Byrge, an at-large council member, and Don Webb, Ward 2 councilman, agreed.
At the end of the meeting, Shaw asked Gore when the council could discuss Schommer’s resignation, suggesting they call another city council meeting on Thursday night.
Gore suggested the next city work session, March 16 at 6 p.m.
Both the meetings are available at the Huber Heights city website, https://www.hhoh.org/.
Contact Eileen McClory at 937-694-2016 or eileen.mcclory@coxinc.com.
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