Richland City Council announced tonight that they had reached a separation agreement with City Manager Cindy Reents effective January 22, 2021.
Reents has been with the city since 2003 and became city manager in 2007.
According to Mayor Ryan Lukson, details have not been finalized. Reents contract specifies that she’s entitled to 6-months pay if the council decides to terminate her contract. The city currently pays Reents about $200,000 annually.
City Councilmember Phil Lemley said, “I am not happy at all about what has happened to our city manager.” He added, “You don’t fire someone who does a good job.”
Lemley went on to say, “Everyone needs to know what happened in executive session.” He did not elaborate.
The other councilmembers thanked Reents and wished her well.
An emotional Reents spoke of her 17 years with the City that started when she was hired from California to be assistant city manager. She said that completing the Duportail Bridge under budget and on time was one of the highlights of her time with the city.
In closing she said, “Our leadership team is the best. I’m sad but confident that I have laid the foundation for the remaining staff to operate effectively.”