Royal Oak Weighing Options After City Manager Retirement, Decline of Interim Offer
(Crystal A. Proxmire, July 30, 2019)
Royal Oak, MI- After a decade as City Manager, Don Johnson surprised city officials by giving 30 days notice for retirement, which was effective June 30.
Johnson had offered to work as Interim City Manager while the City searched for his replacement, which should take about six months. However, at a special meeting Monday night, city officials voted not to accept his offer of $18,000 per month for his services.
Johnson had been making $190,000 per year plus benefits. Currently he receives $5,000 a month in pension as part of his retirement.
Commissioner Melanie Macey proposed a counter-offer of $14,00 per month, which Johnson rejected.
Commissioners will next have to decide whether to hire an Interim or to have City Manager Duties handled by others at City Hall, including Police Chief Corrigan O’Donohue who is also the Assistant City Manager. He urged the commission to hire an Interim, citing the full-time needs of both positions, and the particular challenges of the developments currently in the works.
The Detroit Free Press has a lengthy story with more details of Monday’s meeting, and more information can be found at the City of Royal Oak website.