ANAHEIM : Council May Raise Ruth Severance Pay

The City Council on Tuesday will consider a plan to raise the severance pay that City Manager James D. Ruth will receive if he is ever fired.

Under the proposal, if Ruth is fired for any reason except a felony conviction, he will continue to receive his $137,812 annual salary, his medical insurance and his $475-a-month car allowance for one year.

Currently Ruth, who became city manager in March, 1990, would receive six months’ salary if fired.

When he became city manager, Ruth and the council agreed to a contract that has no set term or renewal date. He will remain in office until he is fired, dies or quits.

Ruth was unavailable for comment.

Mayor Fred Hunter said Friday that the council is happy with Ruth’s work and wants to give him some added insurance in case a future council decides that it wants to hire its own city manager. He pointed out that both he and Councilman Bob D. Simpson have announced that they will not run for reelection in 1994.

He added that the contracts of most city managers in the county call for one year of severance pay.

But for the time being, Hunter said, Ruth’s increased severance package is immaterial.

“Unless he quits, he is going to be city manager as long as I am mayor,” Hunter said.

Four years ago, Hunter was one of the key proponents of firing longtime City Manager William O. Talley, who received $96,000 plus $10,000 in job-placement assistance when he left. For Talley, the $96,000 was 11 months’ salary.

Talley was replaced by Simpson, who retired and subsequently ran for the council. He was replaced by Ruth.