Former Fulton County Manager Dwight Ferrell, fired last month after just a year on the job, will receive $120,000 in severance.
Ferrell is entitled to the money – half his annual salary – because he was fired without cause, according to his contract and other public records obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. If the Fulton Board of Commissioners launches a national search for a new manager, that could cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars more.
Commissioner Liz Hausmann, who voted against firing Ferrell, said she’s not happy about the costs of firing and searching for a manager at a time when Fulton has cut library hours and raised taxes to balance its budget.
“We’ve got to quit wasting money,” Hausmann said.
Commissioner Bill Edwards, who voted to terminate Ferrell, doesn’t see the severance as waste money.
“I think it’s fair under the contract,” he said. “We abide by contracts every day.”
Ferrell declined to comment on his severance. “The only comment I would offer regarding my tenure with Fulton County is I am thankful for the opportunity to have served its citizens as county manager,” he said.
Commissioners hired Ferrell in September 2013. He immediately faced the tough task of balancing a county budget that for years has been propped up with dwindling reserve funds. Among other things, he presided over layoffs and launched an administrative reorganization that will continue long after his departure.
In the weeks leading up to his termination, the county employees union complained Ferrell didn’t communicate well and was unresponsive to the concerns of rank-and-file workers. On Oct. 1, commissioners voted 4-2 to fire Ferrell “without cause.” In essence, a majority of commissioners agreed Ferrell had done nothing wrong but wanted a change anyway.
“The contract says I can do it this way, and I voted to do it that way,” Edwards said. “I think it’s good for the person who left. I think it’s good for the county.”
Hausmann said many employees were unhappy with Ferrell’s decisions, and commissioners didn’t back him up.
“I felt like the county manager came into a bad situation when he was hired and was not allowed to do the work necessary and wasn’t supported by the commission, and ultimately lost his job over it,” she said.
Ferrell’s severance may not be the only cost associated with his termination. Last year, Fulton paid Korn/Ferry International about $90,000 to vet Ferrell and other candidates for the manager’s job. Commission Chairman John Eaves said he wants to launch another national search.
“We’re going to cast a wide net to attract the most qualified candidate,” Eaves said.
In the meantime, county Finance Director Patrick O’Connor is serving as acting county manager. He was a finalist for the job when Ferrell was hired and has expressed interest in keeping the post on a permanent basis.
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