Moses Lake’s HR director resigns

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Human Resources Director Carlos Salazar has resigned from his position, effective immediately, after being put on administrative leave Dec. 3 for alleged dishonesty and failure to perform duties.

The city over a span of six weeks repeatedly declined to acknowledge whether Salazar had been placed on administrative leave, saying it could not comment on personnel matters. Previously, however, the city has made proactive announcements when senior staff was placed on administrative leave, as it did last April with former City Manager John Williams. City communications staff did not respond to requests for clarification.

Police Chief and former Interim City Manager Kevin Fuhr said Monday that the city had received Salazar’s letter of resignation Friday night and signed a separation agreement Sunday.

In that separation agreement, the city agreed to pay Salazar $27,337.50, the equivalent of three months’ salary, half of which Fuhr said was covered by the city’s insurance company. Salazar will also be paid over $6,600 in unused benefits, including all of his unused vacation pay and a third of his unused sick pay.

Additionally, the city agrees to make no mention of the unresolved disciplinary proceedings against Salazar if prospective future employers request a job reference.

In return, Salazar agreed not to pursue legal action against the city, including any potential claims of wrongful termination.

Salazar also agreed not to make any “negative, derogatory, or disparaging comments” about the city, and its elected officials, representatives or employees. Fuhr will also be barred from making similar comments about Salazar.

Fuhr said that the city would soon start looking for a new human resources director. The process could take months. In the interim, Fuhr said that a specialist in the department would handle the department’s duties along with consultation from the new city manager, Allison Williams.

Records requested by the Herald in December were released Monday, showing the allegations against Salazar, as well as Salazar’s written rebuttal. The Herald reached out to Salazar’s attorney for additional comment but did not receive a response before press time. Further details may be available in a future edition of the Herald.

Emry Dinman can be reached via email at edinman@columbiabasinherald.com.