CORINTH — The City Council has agreed to accept the city manager’s resignation and pay out her contract eight months before it ends.

Clovia English signed a two-year contract, earning $120,000 per year, when she came to Corinth from Lockhart in November 2006. She leaves with a buyout package worth about 1 1/2 times her annual salary, which, according to council member Shannon Bryan, is consistent with other exit offers made to city managers.

Clovia English

The City Council conducted its first annual evaluation of English four months ago, which went “great,” according to Bryan. The evaluation also came with an improvement plan. Bryan felt nothing on the plan was out of the ordinary, characterizing it as more of a “wish list” on the part of the council. She would not say what went wrong between the council, the mayor and English since then.

Mayor Vic Burgess also would not say what went wrong, only that city manager searches can be hit-or-miss in finding a good fit.

During a specially called meeting Thursday evening, council member Ronnie Glasscock suggested that the council could have exercised more patience and effort, calling the set of circumstances “unnecessary.”

English was not present for the meeting, where the City Council considered her buyout offer during a 45-minute long executive session. She could not be reached by phone Friday.

The vote to accept English’s buyout offer was not unanimous. Glasscock voted no and called it an extremely expensive proposition that “showed a total lack of regard to the taxpayer.”

Glasscock had scuffled with English during a regular meeting a month ago when both interrupted one another.

Glasscock was troubled by the revolving door in the city manager's office, saying that there was a pattern of undermining the manager's authority at City Hall, and ultimately, the authority of the City Council.

Burgess said he could understand that perception. No one has served permanently as city manager since Ken Seale and another employee were let go in July 2005.

“All I’ve ever done is try to maintain continuity,” Burgess said.

The council also voted 4-1 to name public works director Don Locke the interim city manager for 90 days. Glasscock again dissented, saying he could not vote without reviewing information relating to the appointment.

Council member Joe Harrison said he respected Glasscock's right to dissent.

"I respect his integrity and the words that he gave," Harrison said.

PEGGY HEINKEL-WOLFE can be reached at 940-566-6881. Her e-mail address is pheinkel-wolfe@dentonrc.com.