Conroe's $1.7M Severance Deals Raise Transparency Concerns

**Conroe Taxpayers Question $1.7 Million in Severance Payouts to Departing City Employees**

**CONROE, TX –** The City of Conroe is facing intense scrutiny and calls for greater transparency following revelations that it spent an estimated $1.7 million in severance agreements for ten departing employees between March and August of 2023. These significant payouts, many of which far exceeded the city’s standard severance policy for "at-will" staff, have ignited concerns among taxpayers and some city officials about the use of public funds and the decision-making process.

The wave of substantial payouts was largely orchestrated by City Administrator Kelly Normangee. Agreements were often presented to the Conroe City Council for approval, reportedly with minimal detailed public discussion during regular council meetings, leaving many questions unanswered for residents.

A prominent dissenting voice against these practices has been Councilman Harry Hardman. As early as July 2023, Hardman attempted to raise questions publicly regarding the legal basis for these large financial settlements during a council meeting, only to be reportedly shut down by Mayor Jody Czajkoski. Hardman has consistently maintained that the agreements lacked a clear legal foundation and did not serve the best financial interests of Conroe taxpayers.

"My job is to protect the taxpayers of Conroe, and when we're seeing these kinds of payouts without clear justification or public discussion, it's a red flag," Hardman told local media, reiterating concerns he has voiced in council meetings. "We need to understand why these agreements were necessary and what legal precedent they set."

Among the beneficiaries of these substantial packages was former Human Resources Director Wendy Jemison, who received close to $200,000 after serving the city for just over a year. Other notable payouts included former Assistant Public Works Director Chris Creighton and former IT Director Joe Corley, who received approximately $200,000 and $170,000 respectively. Former Parks & Recreation Director Mike Riggens' package amounted to around $150,000, while former Downtown Manager Frank Wargo and former Purchasing Director Bobby Williams each received approximately $100,000.

Many of these departing employees held "at-will" positions, meaning their employment could typically be terminated by the city without cause and, traditionally, without substantial severance beyond accrued vacation time. The City of Conroe's standard policy for non-contract employees typically offers two weeks of pay per year of service, capped at 12 weeks.

However, the individual agreements drafted by City Attorney Gary Scott for these ten employees dramatically diverged from this established policy. Many packages included extended health benefits and lump-sum payments equivalent to several months of salary, irrespective of the employee's length of service or their "at-will" status. The string of payouts continued through August 2023, adding to the cumulative total and fueling growing public scrutiny.

City Administrator Normangee and Mayor Czajkoski have, in past public statements or through city spokespersons, generally declined to comment on specific personnel matters, citing confidentiality and privacy concerns. However, such responses have done little to quell public anxiety or satisfy calls for more detailed explanations regarding the allocation of public funds. City Attorney Scott has also defended the legality of the agreements, stating they were drafted to protect the city's interests, though specific legal justifications for the elevated payouts have not been publicly disclosed.

Local taxpayer advocacy groups have begun to demand an independent audit of the city's severance practices and a review of council meeting minutes and executive session records related to these approvals. "When you're dealing with millions of taxpayer dollars, 'personnel matters' isn't a sufficient answer," stated a representative from a local civic watchdog group, who requested anonymity to avoid direct political confrontation. "The citizens of Conroe deserve to know why their money is being spent this way, especially when it appears to deviate so drastically from established policy."

The issue is expected to remain a hot topic in Conroe politics, with residents and watchdog groups pushing for greater accountability and transparency from their elected officials and city administration. Future city council meetings could see continued calls for open discussion and potentially lead to changes in how severance agreements are handled and publicly disclosed.