Tarpon Springs city manager resigns

TARPON SPRINGS -- Two weeks after city commissioners voted to replace her, city manager Ellen Posivach resigned Tuesday night.

Posivach (left), 56, thanked city commissioners, staff and residents for "the best nine years" of her career before she left the dais.

Posivach's departure came after several meetings where commissioners aired concerns about her management style, culminating with an early morning vote on April 16 to begin looking for her replacement.

The terms of Posivach's employment contract with the city said that she would not receive severance pay if she resigned. However, commissioners agreed to treat Posivach's departure as a "firing without cause," which allows her to receive three months' severance, contributions to her retirement plans and payment for unused vacation time.

[Times files]

City officials said they would not know exactly how much money the severance package was worth until the details are hammered out. Posivach's annual salary was $122,910.

Commissioners decided police chief Mark LeCouris would be acting city manager while a national search is conducted to find a replacement, and they directed city attorney Jim Yacavone to continue negotiations with Posivach's attorney, Dave Linesch.

Linesch, whose labor law practice is based in Palm Harbor, said he was working with the city attorney to come to a "mutual parting of the ways."

Posivach upset commissioners in early March, when she asked to substitute two days of time worked for two days she planned to be out of town.

Commissioners said her request amounted to compensatory time, something they had previously told her she was not eligible for. They were further riled when they learned her trip was to Arizona, where she was interviewing for a job.

At their last meeting, in mid April, several commissioners said they believed there was a "disconnect" between Posivach and the commission. Posivach agreed there was a problem, but said part of it stemmed from discord among board members who often gave her conflicting directions.

Mayor Beverley Billiris suggested a mediation process to solve disputes, but three commissioners ultimately decided to look for new leadership.

At Tuesday's meeting, several residents thanked Posivach for her commitment to the city.

Frank DiDonato, the former mayor who hired Posivach, said Posivach possessed "honor, integrity, dignity" and had done "a heck of a job" as city manager.

Posivach said she will do whatever she can to help staff make a smooth transition, but hasn't spent a lot of time thinking about her next move.

"I wish everybody well," Posivach said. "I'm looking forward to, really, a positive future."

Rita Farlow, Times staff writer