BURBANK : Council OKs New Contract for Ovrom

The Burbank City Council has approved a new contract for City Manager Robert (Bud) Ovrom that guarantees him six months of severance pay if he is fired for any reason other than a criminal conviction.

If convicted of a crime involving moral improprieties or personal gain, Ovrom cannot receive any severance money after being terminated. His previous contract allowed him to accept only four months of his $129,193 annual base salary if fired for other reasons.

“His contract called for four months, but in the history of the city, department heads have always received a six-month severance package,” Councilman Bob Kramer said. “The council was just formalizing what was a standard practice within the city.”

The council’s 4-1 vote Tuesday--with Councilman Ted McConkey dissenting--caps a dramatic turn of events over Ovrom’s fate that began earlier this month.

Just days after he was sworn into office, Kramer threatened to have Ovrom, the city’s top administrator, fired for allegedly mishandling redevelopment deals. Ovrom later indicated he would resign.

After numerous supporters of the city manager turned out for a special meeting May 7, a council majority agreed to extend Ovrom’s contract until at least November.

In the event Ovrom voluntarily resigns, he may ask for--and possibly get--more than the guaranteed six months of pay if the council agrees to it.