SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the settlement agreement between the City of Clearwater and Karen Sowada for payment of $81,500.00 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
Ms. Sowada was terminated as an employee with the City of Clearwater on April 8, 2015, for substandard performance. The City followed the appropriate disciplinary process and the termination was justified.
Ms. Sowada filed a charge with the Florida Commission of Human Relations alleging discrimination based on disability and sex. She also alleged retaliation. This agreement will settle all existing or future claims regarding this action. Ms. Sowada has signed a settlement agreement and general release.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter budget amendment will increase cost code 010-07000-534000 (Legal Settlements) funded by an allocation of General Fund Reserves.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
Funding for this agreement will be provided by a first quarter budget amendment allocating General Fund reserves in the amount of $81,500 to cost code 010-07000-534000 (Legal Settlements). Inclusive of this item if approved, a net total of $756,966 of General Fund reserves has been appropriated by Council to fund expenditures in the 2015/16 operating budget. The remaining balance in General Fund reserves is approximately $27.3 million, or 21.9% of the current General Fund operating budget.