department, Fire Chief Dan Smits intends to resign from his position with the Monroe Fire Department.

The Monroe Common Council’s June 21 approval of a Fire Chief Transition Agreement put into motion the city’s plan to recruit a new chief and help them start off on a strong foot.

“The discussions with Chief Smits have been around having an orderly and smooth transition,” City Administrator Dave Lothspeich said to the commission. “Quite frankly, that’s something that he didn’t have the benefit of when he came in and it put him in a very difficult position to start with.”

The transition agreement states that Smits’ resignation may be effective either at a date of his choosing no later than Dec. 31, 2021 or a date of the PFC’s choosing if it hires a new chief.

To ensure time to find a well-suited candidate for the position, the agreement encourages Smits’ service to the city through the end of the calendar year with increased severance pay the longer he stays.

With an effective date before August 31, 2021, Smits would receive a gross severance pay of $37,565.23. An effective date between Sep. 1 and Oct. 31 would put the gross pay at $45,078.28 and a date between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 would include a severance pay of $52,591.32.

The agreement, which Smits has 21 calendar days to consider, would also mean that he agrees to release any claims for wrongful or constructive discharge. Additionally, he would have no right to any future employment with the city.

With the common council’s Monday approval and PFC’s Wednesday agreement, the city will move forward with the recruitment of a new fire chief to take over following Smits’ departure.

PFC members unanimously agreed to use GovHR to assist in the recruitment process.