PUNTA GORDA — Following a heated exchange between Punta Gorda City Council member Debi Lux and City Manager Greg Murray on Wednesday, the council voted Murray a 4% raise and returned a 20-week severance package into his contract.
Lux didn’t believe Murray should get a raise after he received an increase in his pension earlier this year.
Other council members defended Murray, and the raise was approved 4-1 with Lux dissenting.
Mayor Lynne Matthews gave Murray a perfect score, calling him “consistent, courteous, professional and effective.” She asked to add a 20-week severance package into Murray’s contract regardless if he resigns or is terminated. It was in Murray’s original contract four years ago.
His contract stipulated if he were terminated between Aug. 23, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2022, he would receive 20 weeks of severance. After that date, he would receive 10 weeks severance.
Murray, 63, makes $189,696 annually.
Lux said the three newly elected council members — Jeanine Polk, Greg Julian and Janis Denton — should deal with Murray’s contract on the next agenda. The three were elected Tuesday night, replacing three incumbents on the board, including Matthews.