South Lyon Paid Nearly $170K to Fire Manager & Hire ReplacementSouth Lyon Paid Nearly $170K to Fire Manager & Hire Replacement

8/7/14 - The City of South Lyon paid nearly $170,000 to fire former City Manager David Murphy and hire his replacement. That’s according to a cost breakdown requested by Councilman Harvey Wedell. The South Lyon Herald reports Wedell asked for the breakdown from Murphy’s successor, Lynne Ladner, after noticing the budget for the fiscal year that ended July 1st was short by $93,000. Murphy (pictured) was fired last October after a 4-3 vote by council. Of the just over $168,000 that was spent, nearly $98,000 went to Murphy in the form of a six-month severance as called for in his employment contract that included salary, vacation pay, benefits and retirement. The city also spent another $50,000 to hire former City Manager Rod Cook to serve as an interim manager until Ladner was brought on board in April. No reason has ever been offered by the council members who voted to oust Murphy why he was fired. South Lyon Mayor Tedd Wallace, who led the effort to terminate Murphy’s employment, says he believes that Ladner’s experience in grant acquisitions will eventually offset the costs incurred in Murphy’s firing. (JK)