PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The City of Punta Gorda finds itself on the hook for a substantial severance payment of over $75,000, tied to a recent contract adjustment for former City Manager Greg Murray. This sudden change occurred just days before his resignation, raising eyebrows and questions within the community.
City of Punta Gorda on the hook for $75k; 20 week City Manager severance package
During a pivotal City Council meeting on November 6, the former Mayor Lynne Matthews, along with Vice Mayor Bill Dryburgh and council member Donna Peterman, voted in favor of securing “Mr. Murray a 20-week severance package regardless of how he leaves.” Sadly, the very day before, all three had faced defeat in their council seats during the elections held on November 5.
This timeline paints a curious picture:
- Nov. 5: Lynne Matthews, Bill Dryburgh, and Donna Peterman lose their seats on the city council.
- Nov. 6: Greg Murray raises his contract at a City Council meeting, catching everyone off guard. Matthews, Dryburgh, and Peterman proceed to vote for Murray’s severance package.
- Nov. 11: In a twist, Murray submits his resignation.
- Nov. 19: The resignation takes effect.
- Nov. 20: Finally, the City Council accepts Murray’s departure.
On November 11, just days after the approval of his generous severance arrangement, Murray expressed in his resignation letter that the previous year had been marred by “contention and hostility.” He conveyed a sense of regret, making it clear that his decision was not taken lightly.
Murray’s earlier contract, established in 2020, stipulated that he would forfeit severance upon resignation. Should he be terminated, he was entitled to just 10 weeks of pay. Moreover, under that agreement, the City would stop covering his group medical and life insurance costs.
However, the altered contract signed on November 6 extended Murray’s financial safety net significantly. Now, Punta Gorda will owe him 20 weeks’ worth of his $197,283 salary, an eye-watering sum of $75,875. Furthermore, the City agreed to fund his medical and life insurance premiums during this severance period, a surprising commitment for a community adjusting to new leadership.
This new contract was endorsed by Lynne Matthews, Greg Murray, and City Clerk Sarah Welch on November 7. Intriguingly, the previous contract, marked as “approved as to form and legality” by City Attorney David Levin, no longer holds its significance.
Attempts by FOX 4 to reach Murray, Matthews, and Dryburgh for comments yielded no responses. However, Peterman offered her perspective, asserting that she believed Murray deserved his contract adjustment and praised him as an exceptional city manager. She added, perhaps with a hint of surprise, that she was unaware of his plans to resign.
The Punta Gorda City Council is set to revisit Murray’s severance package during their next meeting in December, shedding light on an ongoing debate that may stir further community dialogue.
In an unrelated yet noteworthy incident, Murray was infamously removed from a downtown bar by police in August after an employee reported his disorderly behavior. Murray later attributed this event to a medical episode, but it left a lingering question—what impact had these personal challenges had on his tenure as city manager?
The unfolding events around Murray’s contract and the council’s dynamics mirror the complexities of local governance, a realm that affects everyone in this sun-soaked Florida town. In a place known for its delightful waterfront, can the residents still find solace when the political tides shift so dramatically?
