Early retirements accepted

COEUR d'ALENE - The City Council on Tuesday approved a set of separation packages for five retiring department heads, a move that will save the city at least $145,000 over the next two fiscal years.

Recreation Director Steve Anthony, Parks Director Doug Eastwood, Police Chief Wayne Longo, Human Resources Director Pam MacDonald and Planning Director Dave Yadon each have accepted packages. Their retirements will be staggered over two years, beginning the second half of 2013.

"These are members of our executive team and we will be sad to see them go," said Wendy Gabriel, city administrator. "But by accepting these incentive packages, they are allowing us to plan ahead for their succession."

The city's Separation Incentive Proposal has been used effectively through several previous rounds of early retirements.

For most involved, the incentive provides $18,000 toward medical insurance outlays until the employee becomes eligible for Medicare. Earlier this year, 11 non-department head employees accepted separation incentive packages.

Money saved from the packages is realized by filling vacated positions at the minimum of the pay range. Each of the five department heads is at the top of his or her pay scale, so it will be easy to achieve savings, said Jon Ingalls, deputy city administrator.

The city is still working out details to fill the positions.

"There may be additional savings, as there may be reorganization or domino effects related to these separations," Ingalls said. "Those savings are difficult to calculate exactly, but they could be significant."