“They’re dropping like flies” is how a longtime city employee described the mass exodus of key employees over the last six months. Whether they’re deciding to leave on their own or being unceremoniously pushed out, as many see it, there is something seriously wrong happening at city hall.
Disagreements over policy shouldn’t be used to conduct personal attacks on individual employees. City employees are responsible for carrying out the goals and strategies laid out by council. If councilors decide to pivot the direction the city is taking, they can change policies and plans and employees will adjust accordingly; that’s their job.
Since January, 12 high level employees have left the building. Losing a key employee with a specialized role like city attorney, city manager or public works director can cost an organization up to 200% or more of the employee’s annual salary. Severance pay, vacancy costs, recruiting fees, onboarding and training expenses, disruption to strategic projects, and lost institutional knowledge will cost the city millions of dollars…