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Wade Horton’s separation agreement includes severance, NDA

April 4, 2023

SLO County Administrator Wade Horton

By KAREN VELIE

San Luis Obispo County officials agreed to provide Administrative Officer Wade Horton a severance package that includes a non-disparage clause after Horton announced plans to resign amid a controversial performance review.

The SLO County Board of Supervisors agreed to provide Horton six months pay or $146,364 as part of a separation agreement that requires Horton agree not to take legal action against the county. The March 21 agreement also includes a mutual non-disparage clause.

Last month, two members of the new board majority called for a performance review of Horton. County officials are not disclosing which of three county supervisors – Bruce Gibson, Jimmy Paulding or Dawn Ortiz Legg – requested the review.

As required by his position, Horton then placed the closed session performance review on the agenda leading supervisors Gibson and Paulding to claim Horton “voluntarily chose” to put his review on the agenda.

In addition, Paulding wrote in a newsletter that the plan during Horton’s review was to discuss “the work ahead, the state of the county organization and what resources are necessary to achieve positive outcomes for the county and community.”

However, during the closed session employee performance review the board was limited to discussing their expectations of the position and Horton’s performance. Under the Ralph M. Brown Act the board is required to discuss “the state of the county organization and what resources are necessary to achieve positive outcomes for the county and community” as an agendized item in open session.

The Ralph M. Brown Act was passed in 1953 because of mounting concerns that government bodies were avoiding scrutiny by meeting secretly. The act, which has been amended and strengthened in the years since, guarantees the public the right to attend and participate in meetings of legislative bodies, to have forewarning of discussion items through posted agendas, and forbids a majority of board members from discussing government issues in private.

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When I stand back and look at the new Board Majority, Wade may have jumped ship to avoid a performance trajectory he wants no part of??


21

Any truth to the rumor that Paavo Ogren is in the running for the temporary position? Ogren is dangerous. A John Wallace clone – wouldn’t surprise me at all if Gibson and Legg have Ogren dialed in. Wallace owns the water in our county, and Ogren protects Wallace. I’ve long thought Gibson had his hand in the water bank cookie jar one way or another. Be aware. Be very aware.


21

NDAs have no place in governance. Our government agencies are neither industry nor entertainment. They are the servants of the people and as such must remain transparent. NDAs should be banned in governance.


39

The sneaky and arrogant Bruce Gibson and Jimmy Paulding show that Adam Hill lives through their greed for power and control. Not only have they removed the two north county Supervisor’s Debbie Arnold and John Peschong from their own districts water committee, but they also have both blatantly lied about taking over the north county water so they can payback the “water bankers” who spent at least $30,000 in support of their campaigns to buy them.

Now they blatantly violated the Brown Act to get around the public’s right to know, hear and speak regarding Wade Horton and his job performance not to mention our tax dollars they’re throwing away like drunk sailors’. Gibson, Paulding, and Ortiz-Legg are sick with power. Don’t forget the redistricting they’re planning as well to rig the future elections in their favor. They have already de-prioritized public safety for county residents in regards our roads and emergency services.


30

When you think about hiring a lawyer to fight local government, while understanding that a lawyer is an officer of the court, and court pay is funded by the State of California, how does one overcome the State’s admiration for the current Board Majority. This reminds me of an old joke:


God and the Devil agreed to pay 50/50 to build the gate to heaven. After it was completed God ask the Devil for his half of the cost but the Devil refused to pay so Lord said, ” I’ll sue you” and Devil said, “where are you going to find a lawyer”.


Something to think about.


-1

NDA ‘s need to be deemed illegal when it comes to the public sector, the voters deserve the right to know whats going on with their money. Speaking of money, almost $300,000 salary plus compensation, now everyone know why the government is always looking for more money.


53

Stormy Daniel and Wade Horton the NDA team. Wonder how long before he opens his mouth again. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.


-44

Don’t be ridiculous, Non-Disclosure Agreements are ubiquitous in all levels of business, industry, government and entertainment.


14

The ghost of Adam Hill lives in Jimmy Paulding…


48

The kid is a supervisor for a grand total of TWO MONTHS and he decides it’s time to fire the CAO of the county. Stunning.


46

Somehow I don’t think Paulding was the instigator here, although he may believe that he is. Pretty sure Gibson is manipulating the strings on this marionette. Gibson probably convinced Paulding that he’s the one who thought of it. Elections have consequences.


33

Jimmy Paulding is like a bull in a China shop, moving full speed ahead without understanding the legal requirements. As an attorney, I would have hoped he would have read the Brown Act before making plans to discuss public items in closed session.


55

Jimmy Paulding doesn’t care, he does what he wants or what his union buddies want. He was the same way on the AG city council, the voters were warned.


53
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