O'Fallon's Firing of City Administrator Could Cost Upwards of $112K

O'Fallon officials have reached a separation agreement with Keith Riesberg, the city administrator who was fired Jan. 10, and it appears to be costing the city a good amount of money. 

According to an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the agreement with Riesberg includes severance pay of $62,491 and could cost the city more than $112,000, plus medical and life insurance coverage. And if Riesberg doesn't find a full-time job by Aug. 10, he'll receive additional weekly severance payments of $2,403 until Dec. 31 or until he gets a new job before that date.

Details on the firing don't go further than the O'Fallon City Council officially chalking it up to a desire to change the direction of the city's leadership. Further, city officials say the termination was without cause.

According to another Post-Dispatch article, Riesberg will be available as an adviser or consultant to the city and agrees not to sue the city.

Riesberg began as O'Fallon city administrator in January 2010 and previously served as city manager for Sedalia, MO.

Assistant City Administrator Lenore Toser-Aldaz will act as city administrator until a permanent replacement is found.

Riesberg, meanwhile, said he was respectful of the counci's right to pursue the change.

“It has been an honor working with the employees to serve the citizens, and I wish them the best in the future," he said in a release.

On Riesberg's LinkedIn profile, he lists duties during his time in O'Fallon as the following:

• Managed external relationships/intergovernemental relationships
• Monitored personnel and operational performance in the delivery of service to citizens
• Responsible for management of City funds and assets
• Coordinated special projects and initiatives

More on Keith Riesberg:

• City Administrator Focuses on Moving O'Fallon Forward
• O'Fallon Hires New Assistant City Administrator
• O'Fallon City Administrator Keith Riesberg Fired
• O'Fallon City Administrator Released from Contract