NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. Former Developmental Services Director Mark Rakowski, shown here in this November photo, received nearly $60,000 as part of a severance package when his job was eliminated last month. Looking on in the background is former mayoral candidate Marilee Walters, an outspoken critic of municipal spending.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Developmental Services Director Mark Rakowski saw his job eliminated last month, but he won't have to wait in an umemployment line any time soon.
NSBNEWS.net obtained his severance amount through a public records request, showing he was paid a whopping $59,703.23.
When informed of the payout and the breakdown in costs for Rakowski, the city's chief planner, City Commissioner Jim Hathaway said he was "embarrassed."
"Giving him a whole year's income to look for another job -- it's crazy," said Hathaway, the senior member of the commission in his 15th year.
Here is a breakdown of Rakowski's severance as provided by the city's finance department:
Actual severance, $14,160; personal leave;
$11,787.56; vacation, $6,429.97;
sick time, $27,325.70.
Rakowski, who was with the city for 21 years, received the entire amount in one lump sum in negotiations with City Manager Pam Brangaccio late last month.
Rakowski could not be reached for comment and declined calls for comment when NSBNEWS.net was the first to report his Nov. 23 ouster that day.
Rakowski was the sixth highest paid municipal employee, grossing $115,594.37.
He was among eight employees who grossed at least $100,000 in fiscal 2009, which ended Sept. 31. The highest was City Attorney Frank Gummey, who made $216,117.70, followed by former City Manager John Hagood, who was paid, $167,757.47 for the fiscal year, despite being terminated by the City Commission in February.
Mayor Adam Barringer, elected in November, said he understands where Hathaway is coming from, though he stopped short of calling the severance embarrassing.
"That was commonplace going back 20 years," Barringer said, adding there was little he could do since Rakowski accumulated the perks through tenure. "In today's economic times those types of benefits are unsustainable."