It is a mutual agreement between LeBlanc and the City Council. LeBlanc and the City Council agreed to publicize the settlement agreement and mutual release.<\/p>\n
The city agreed to pay LeBlanc almost $100,000 \u2013 about $37,600 \u201crepresenting all accrued paid time off and other accrued employment benefits\u201d and about $61,200 in severance of three months\u2019 salary \u2013 within 14 days of the agreement date.<\/p>\n
The city manager\u2019s salary, including benefits, is $195,582, according to the 2019 approved city budget.<\/p>\n
LeBlanc submitted a letter of resignation suggesting his last day will be Oct. 1, when Blake is scheduled to become interim city manager. The contract also stipulates \u201ca full and complete resolution of all issues between the parties including all pending ethics complaints,\u201d according to the public document.<\/p>\n
City Councilors and LeBlanc are barred by the terms of the contract from making public statements.<\/p>\n
<\/p>
The council made the decision after meeting in executive session with City Attorney Dirk Nelson for more than two hours. Councilors did not explain why they voted to settle with LeBlanc. The council voted 5-0 to terminate LeBlanc\u2019s contract and appoint Blake to the interim position.<\/p>\n
LeBlanc did not attend Tuesday\u2019s special meeting about his contract or a scheduled City Council study session that came after the executive session. He did not immediately return a phone call Tuesday night seeking comment.<\/p>\n
LeBlanc announced his retirement<\/a> in August and said he intended to leave his job with the city \u201cin early 2020.\u201d In an interview with the Durango Telegraph<\/em>, LeBlanc said, \u201cEven though I\u2019m retiring from here, I would not consider myself to be retired.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n