Revenue Authority Gives Cook $44,000 Parting Gift
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Former Baltimore County Revenue Authority Chief Executive William "Lynnie" Cook was paid $44,000 severance package.
The payment equals about one-third of Cook's annual salary of about $147,000 a year, according to information released by authority board Chairman Don Hutchinson.
Cook left the quasi-public agency in February. The authority manages the county's public parking, golf courses and a skating rink.
"Lynnie’s resignation became official on April 3," Hutchinson wrote in an email response to questions about the severance package. "His notice was accepted during the winter and accrued vacation and holidays took him to that date."
In March, the authority hired Kenneth Mills to replace Cook at a salary of $159,000—about $9,000 more than Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. Mills held the same position with the authority nearly 20 years earlier.
It is not clear how the authority determined the size of the payment for Cook.
Hutchinson declined to discuss the issue and did not immediately respond to a request for the agency's severance policy.
"I have given you the information that you originally requested," wrote Hutchinson in an email response. "Beyond the basic information, which should be public information, all other information affecting a personnel decision will rightfully remain confidential."
Ruth Baisden
9:55 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wow - profits from selling the Lavender Avenue Parking Lot?
Tim
10:02 am on Friday, June 1, 2012
are we really going to complain about a 4 month severance package?
Seriously?
As far as private industry goes, this is pretty standard. Admittedly, not sure if this is standard for the county.
Barry Lincoln
2:07 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Stop complaining about the lot Ruth. It's time to move on. The Revenue Authority owned the lot, and had every right to sell it. You do realize that the Revenue Authority doesn't get a single penny of tax payer dollars, correct?
Buzz Beeler
11:39 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2012
A friend of mine said engineer degrees followed with a masters after you look at the college loans and starting salaries make less than police officers with a GED.
Lablover
1:18 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
As Tim said I don't think this is that big of a deal. I'm sure he cashed in his comp time (if he was allowed to accumulate c/l), vacation time, etc. Now when the Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson leaves it is my understanding he will receive a check in the amount of $800,000.00 (2012) upwards to $1 million dollars (2013) in his DROP, plus his retirement based on his current $205,000.00 salary. That is quite a bit of money.
K Blue
1:35 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
Holy mackerel on those figures! Whether the $44k is a big deal or not, what is surprising is the lack of transparency on how the figure was calculated. This lack of transparency is what landed the BCRA on the radar in the first place this past year. Lack of information breeds suspicion. Sometimes I think they are their own worst enemy.
Terry
2:34 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
Lablover, I'm stunned at the amount of money the chief cop is worth when he retires. Then again, the crime statistics are low because, and I heard this, officers are to write as little reports as possible. You may have called 911, the police come, a report isn"t written. However, the police officers are nice and come by when you call them. I hope the administration has enough sense to do a National search for a new chief. Even the City has enough sense to do that!
Mike Pierce
4:15 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
Back in February, when reporting Cook's departure, the article said "Cook sent a letter to authority staff Monday announcing his departure. In it, he cited a number of his accomplishments during his tenure. He said he was leaving to pursue other employment opportunities." Sounded like he left on his own.
Paying a "severance package", no matter what the amount, sounds like he was "fired", that is, his contract was terminated.
Which was it?
Tim
11:25 am on Monday, June 4, 2012
People are seldom actually fired these days. Especially if they were considered good employees up until time of screw up (or layoff through no fault of their own).
John
1:42 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012
Wow! Where do I sign up for a job such as this one. This is quite common in the government where our tax dollars are waisted. These perks aren't often found in the private sector, where businesses have to compete in the marketplace everyday. And besides, if a business in the private sector wants to do this as a normal practice that's up to them, they're not using our tax dollars to do it.
Ron Burgundy
6:26 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
It's obvious John you've never been or read about the private sector. Severance for executives is actually standard operating procedure. The Tea Partiers and those of the same ideaology have been ranting for years that gov't should be run like a business and when it is you rant again. So please choose.
Barry Lincoln
2:10 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The Revenue Authority doesn't get a single penny of tax payer dollars. It's wise to get your facts straight before you start pontificating, or else you'll just come across as being ignorant.