MORGANTOWN — “It’s on me,” Morgantown Mayor Jenny Selin said Tuesday evening regarding a communication breakdown that resulted in city council opting to take no action on a new contract for City Manager Kim Haws.
“It’s my fault and my fault alone that council did not know the specifics of what that looked like. So we will have that discussion,” Selin said.
The issues arose after it came to light that the proposed contract included an accrual rate for paid time off (PTO) equal to that of a 15-year city employee.
Haws was hired by Morgantown City Council in November 2020.
Selin explained that Haws requested additional time off instead of a pay increase. The proposed contract includes the same $150,000 base salary as when he was hired.
Deputy Mayor Danielle Trumble noted council received the contract yesterday afternoon with no guidance on how it differs from the existing agreement.
The PTO topic, she continued, is particularly touchy as the city’s firefighters are in the middle of a civil service hearing claiming the new personnel rules implemented by the city’s administration reduces their overall time off and constitutes an illegal reduction in pay.
Under questioning, Attorney Ryan Simonton ultimately explained the contract was prepared at the direction of council based on negotiations between council and the city manager.
“I guess I’m confused about that,” Trumble said, adding, “I don’t know who was negotiating on behalf of council, but it wasn’t me. I can only speak for myself but this is the first I’m hearing about these other changes.”
Others indicated likewise, noting the only change council had discussed as a group was the need for a more thorough residency requirement after questions about Haws’ residency forced the body to investigate the matter earlier this year.
While councilors questioned the manner in which the contract was being presented, there didn’t appear to be dissatisfaction aimed at the city manager’s job performance, which, Selin noted, recently received a positive review from the body.
Council’s lack of action on Tuesday will not impact the city manager’s ability to perform his job as the existing contract remains in effect.
In other news from Tuesday’s meeting, the Morgantown Human Rights Commission presented its annual Human Rights Day Awards to 3rd Ward Councilor Ixya Vega (individual) and Holler Health Justice (organization).
