Carl Schwing is now Cape Coral’s official city manager.
City Council voted Monday night to accept the terms of the contract negotiated by Schwing and Councilmember Bill Deile.
Schwing will make $150,000 for the terms of the contract, which is one year, from March 1, 2010, to February 28, 2011.
Schwing also receives $550 a month for car allowance, full insurance premiums for himself and his wife, travel expenses and a hand-held communication device such as a Blackberry.
Should Schwing be terminated without cause, he receives six months severance pay, totaling $75,000, plus COBRA insurance benefits. Should Schwing be fired with cause, he receives nothing.
Another stipulation lets Schwing return to his former position as assistant city manager if council hires someone else to fill the city manager position permanently.
Though the contract was eventually accepted with a 4-3 vote, the decision was nearly tabled for another two weeks so the contract could be re-examined.
Councilmember Marty McClain said the decision needed to be made now, especially with Lee County Days looming.
Lee County Days sees officials from around the county gain audience with legislators in Tallahassee to plead their individual needs.
Without the official title of city manager, McClain said, Schwing nor the city would carry as much weight when called upon.
“We have some serious issues coming up,” McClain said.
Councilmember Chris Chulakes-Leetz said he had issues with the contract’s price tag, especially since he plans on asking some employees to take a pay cut when budget talks start.
Chulakes-Leetz also said previously he might look to eliminate the assistant city manager position altogether. Schwing made $142,000 as the assistant.
“I do not believe that increasing the pay is the right thing to do,” he said.
Schwing said if the council asks employees to make cutbacks in their salary, he’d be the first to do so.
“I will step up,” Schwing said. “I will be first in line to take this cut.”