POLSON – Outgoing city manager Todd Crossett has sued the City of Polson for more than $49,000 in damages, bringing both a wage claim and a breach of contract count against local government in a suit filed in Lake County District Court.

The suit contends that Polson has failed to pay Crossett monthly retirement benefits of $472.28 since May 2011. Crossett’s wage claim states that he has reportedly requested payment, but the city has refused to comply. The claim says the withheld retirement payments total $10,390, and that an additional sum of $11,425 in penalties is being sought in concordance with state law.

The lawsuit also claims that the city has committed a breach of contract with regard to severance pay, stating that Crossett is entitled to a payment of $27,500 – equal to 25 percent of his annual benefits.

Collectively, the lost retirement benefits, requested severance pay and related penalties total $49,315. Additionally, Crossett is looking to recover reasonable legal costs related to each of the counts and other compensation that the court “may deem just and proper.”

As of press time, the matter had only been filed in District Court offices and had not yet prompted a hearing.

In December of last year, the Polson City Council voted not to renew Crossett’s contract, set to expire in June.