City Administrator Troy Tymesen and Parks and Recreation Director Bill Greenwood were among the 24 applicants the Coeur d’Alene City Council unanimously approved for the city's voluntary separation incentive program.

Tymesen, who earns $201,204 annually, is vacating his position Feb.13. He said the incentive program did not influence this decision to take the early exit.

"This has nothing to do with a voluntary separation or anything to do with a new mayor coming in," Tymesen said. "It was all intentional. This is a personal plan being carried out." 

Greenwood, who earns $143,270 annually, is vacating his position March 17. He, too, said the incentive program did not influence his decision to take an early retirement. 

“It was fortuitous. I've been thinking about it for a while,” Greenwood said. “I could have retired a few years back, and I just kept feeling like I needed to get some things done.” 

Police Chief Lee White and Fire Chief Tom Greif previously announced their retirements.

The program is estimated to save the city nearly $200,000 over the next three years and even more in the years that follow, as longtime staffers with higher salaries are replaced with lower-salaried personnel or positions are left open.

The City Council approved the applicants for the voluntary separation incentive program Tuesday.

Councilor Kenny Gabriel praised all who opted for early retirement. 

“I've known everyone on this list for a long time — have worked with them for a long time. What they have done is make great contributions to this community,” Gabriel said. “They have made this city great because of their hard work. All I can say to them is thank you."

Councilor Kiki Miller echoed his sentiments. 

“I think that these are all deserving folks, but I'm really sorry to see that they're going,” Miller said. “They have all been a tremendous pool of talent — and very dedicated to the city. So best to all of them — I'll miss you.”  

Others taking the early retirement package are George Dailey, Bill Deruyter, Jeff Fletcher, Mike Frederick, Katie Hirst, Blaine Porter, Matt Sowa, Juanita Knight, Allison Palmer, Mark Walter, Jon Cantrell, Judy Griffin, Louise Martin, Brandon McCormick, Tim Neal, Bill Tilson, Dennis Grant, Terry Leigh, David Hauser and Larry Parsons. 

The incentive amounts each will receive range from a low of $2,342 to a high of $49,612. Most are in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.

Earlier this year, the council directed staff to analyze the fiscal impacts of offering an incentive program that would allow employees to apply for a one-time incentive payment in exchange for a voluntary separation within the next 12 months and separating from the city’s insurance coverage. 

Through the program, an eligible employee would receive a 1% service payout based on their base annual wage in the 12 months preceding their separation date, multiplied by their total years of completed city service. 

In a Dec.16 city council staff report, Coeur d’Alene Finance Director/Treasurer Katie Ebner wrote that the calculation estimates a total of $862,000 in ongoing annual savings beginning after fiscal year 27/28.

Tymesen hails from Wisconsin. He was a banker before coming to work for the city. He was hired as the city's finance director Aug. 28, 2000, and then promoted to city administrator in 2017.

“I have been so thrilled with this career and everything we've been able to work on as a solid team,” Tymesen said. “I’m really going to miss everyone.”  

As for what he'll do after he retires, Tymesen said he will spend more time on the links.

"I'm going to play more golf and do all the things that this daytime job chews up, and then I'm going to look for something to do on the first and third Tuesday of every month,” Tymesen said. “I've got a couple of grandkids here and a couple in Okinawa that will hopefully be here in the next year or so. It’ll be great to spend more time with all of them.” 

Greenwood started working for the city's parks department March 22, 1999. 

"I was hired as what they call the lead worker," he said. "I was in the waterfront corridor, which was from the city park all the way through to the Jewett House and everything in between. That was my responsibility." 

He was promoted to interim director in 2013 and to park and recreation director in 2015. 

"It's been a good ride — the city has been an excellent place to work," Greenwood said. "I’ve worked with a lot of great people — I get a little choked up when I think about it.” 

As for what he'll do after he retires, Greenwood has a few things on his list. 

“I’ll probably go fishing and spend more time with the grandkids,” he said. “I don't travel much, but I like having people over and cooking and hanging out at home. People have been asking to join specific boards and committees, so I might consider that as well."