City Attorney gets high marks, 4-year extension

 

BY PRU SOWERS

KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER

 

Following an annual performance evaluation that gave Key West City Attorney Shawn Smith high marks, city commissioners rewarded the municipal legal eagle with a four-year contract extension that will pay him more than City Manager Jim Scholl.

Four of the city commissioners and Mayor Craig Cates gave Smith the highest rating, “outstanding,” in the summary ranking, while the remaining commissioners rated him “exceeds expectations,” the second highest mark.

“This will be the completion of my eighth year with the city. It’s always a challenge and intellectually stimulating,” Smith told the commission at its Dec. 2 meeting. “I take my job seriously. I really appreciate your comments.”

“It’s a pleasure working with you,” said Commissioner Mark Rossi.

“Good job, Shawn,” added Commissioner Tony Yaniz.

Commissioners then voted unanimously to approve a four-year contract extension with Smith that will award him annual raises equal to the same percentage raise given to city department heads and managers each fiscal year. Smith’s starting salary with the city in 2006 was $165,000. He currently makes $182,400, slightly above City Manager Scholl’s annual salary of $180,000, making Smith the highest paid city employee.

The contract extension also includes three changes to the agreement that give Smith more freedom to take on outside work. Smith will now be able to teach as well as perform legal mediation, where he would act as a court-appointed arbitrator to settle civil cases, outside of City Hall.

“I would like to do this because when I retire someday I would like to teach and the mediations would be helpful if I ever decide to run for a judicial position,” Smith wrote in a memo to commissioners and Mayor Cates.

Smith also said he would not accept any teaching position that would interfere with his responsibilities as the city’s top attorney. Commissioners will also be able to object to any outside work Smith may propose. If that occurs, he said, he will not accept the project.

“Of course, these would have to be undertakings that would in no way conflict with my city obligations or hours of work,” Smith said in his memo.

The second contract clause increases Smith’s annual vacation days from 15 to 20 once he completes his eighth year of service to Key West. Previously, Smith would have had to wait until the end of his 10th year to receive an extra week of vacation.

The last contract change reduces Smith’s potential severance pay from six months to 20 weeks. Smith proposed the change based on what he called “statutory changes.”

The Commission unanimously approved the contract extension and changes with no discussion.

“Oh, yeah,” said Commissioner Rossi when he cast his vote.

“Absolutely,” said Yaniz.

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