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Keokuk Approves City Administrator Contract

The Keokuk City Council has approved the employment contract between the city and its new city administrator, Cole O'Donnell. O'Donnell's first day on the job is expected to be Monday, July 9.

The contract runs from June 28, 2018 – July 31, 2019. It will renew every 12 months with the same terms and conditions unless one of the two sides submits written notice within 90 days of the contract's expiration that they want to renegotiate.

The city council still retains the right to fire O’Donnell and O’Donnell retains the right to resign.

O’Donnell’s starting salary is $120,000. It could be increased to 125,000 after a favorable six-month review. He will also receive:

  • $200/month for a vehicle
  • 2 weeks of accrued vacation
  • City-paid cell phone
  • Up to $5,500 in moving expenses

O’Donnell will also be allowed to pursue outside employment, such as teaching or consulting, as long as it does not interfere with his city administrator duties. He could work up to 8 hours each week at an outside job if he receives approval from the mayor, who must consult the city council.
If O’Donnell is fired without cause, the city agrees to pay him a “lump sum cash payment equal to nine months’ aggregate salary, health, dental and vision insurance benefits and deferred compensation.” If the firing takes place within four months of a city election, an extra six months would be added on.

If O’Donnell is fired with cause, the severance package would be null and void. He will have to move to Keokuk within six months of the contract taking effect. He can be fired if he has not done so within that time.

O’Donnell replaces Aaron Burnett, who is leaving Keokuk on June 22, 2018 to take over as City Administrator in Mason City, Iowa.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.