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Spokane Valley extends city manager’s suspension while working on termination deal

Just after he was fired by the Spokane Valley City Council, City Manager Mike Jackson accepts the condolences of citizens and city staff after the city council meeting Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
By Pia Hallenberg piah@spokesman.com(509) 459-5427
Just after he was fired by the Spokane Valley City Council, City Manager Mike Jackson accepts the condolences of citizens and city staff after the city council meeting Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)

Former Spokane Valley City Manager Mike Jackson will remain on paid suspension for another month, or until an agreement is reached on his termination, the Spokane Valley City Council voted Tuesday.

There was no public comment or council debate before the decision was approved unanimously.

“We were very surprised by council action last night, we didn’t know that was coming,” said Jackson’s attorney, Milt Rowland. “We are grateful that it was suspension rather than a termination.”

Jackson became Spokane Valley’s city manager in 2010. The council, led by a new majority, asked for his resignation Feb. 23. Jackson has refused, setting up a scenario where the council will be forced to fire him.

At the February meeting, a dozen people praised Jackson’s performance and scolded the council.

The council majority, consisting of Mayor Rod Higgins, Deputy Mayor Arne Woodard, and councilmen Ed Pace and Sam Wood, said Jackson isn’t right for the job as they move in a different direction.

“We still don’t know why the majority of the council took the steps it did,” Rowland said Wednesday, adding that Jackson is still the city manager and would take the job back if offered the opportunity. “He has no plans to resign.”

Jackson continues to receive a monthly salary of $14,654.38 and full benefits while suspended.

The way Jackson’s suspension was handled led to allegations the council violated the Open Public Meetings Act.

Councilman Dean Grafos has called for an independent investigation into how Jackson was fired, though the majority declined his request at last week’s meeting.

Jackson’s firing has polarized the Spokane Valley City Council.

Rowland said he will try to find a mediator to work out a termination agreement by mid-April.

“Hopefully, by then, we will know what the majority of the council was so upset about and we get it all sorted out,” he said.

Spokane Valley City Attorney Cary Driskell declined to comment on the issue.

Jackson’s paid suspension, which expired Wednesday at 4 p.m., was extended until a termination agreement is reached, but no later than April 29.