Council approves separation agreement for Fehlman

By RICHARD D. OXLEY
Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer
September 14, 2012 · Updated 10:47 AM 

The Bainbridge Island City Council approved a severance agreement for Chief Jon Fehlman Wednesday.

Fehlman resigned from his position on Tuesday, Sept. 11 shortly before the results of an investigation into his time on the force were released.

Fehlman will receive six months severance pay based on his annual salary, plus an additional 5 percent. He will continue to receive medical coverage for 18 months—the city will cover the first six months of medical coverage, after which he may continue coverage at his own expense.

The city will also pay for any unused sick and vacation time Fehlman has accrued.

The salary payout would be approximately $72,450, based on Fehlman's annual salary of $138,324.

The separation agreement also notes that Fehlman may be called upon to assist with matters after his employment, such as legal testimony. He will be paid $80 per hour as a consultant fee should such a need arise.

The separation agreement also says that the city will not oppose any application for unemployment benefits that Fehlman files.

The investigation into Fehlman found many allegations leveled by the island's police guild to be unsubstantiated. Other allegations were found to be partially true. The investigation was sparked after the police guild took a vote of "no confidence" in Fehlman in June.

Contact Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer Richard D. Oxley at roxley@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

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