Santa Clara Valley Water CEO Rick Callender is resigning effective March 1, after more than a year of an internal misconduct investigation. The board announced the move at a special meeting today, even as it agreed to keep Callender on the public payroll as a “special advisor” for a year. The arrangement, which also includes reimbursing some of his legal fees, has triggered sharp criticism from a dissenting director and union leaders who say the deal sends the wrong message to workers.
Board vote and terms
At the meeting, the board voted 6-1, with Director Rebecca Eisenberg dissenting, to retain Callender as a special advisor at his current salary and benefits for one year and to reimburse $65,000 in attorney fees, as reported by San José Spotlight……