FERRIS EDC DIRECTOR BLINDSIDED, FIRED

FERRIS – The City of Ferris EDC Director Scott Jones was terminated last week for what he said was a firing which made no sense. Jones said he was led to believe by City Manager Bill Jordan there was no disciplinary or performance reason, no policy violation, no cause listed at all on his termination paperwork.

Jones said in an email to the 4A board, “It is with sadness that I inform you of my termination by City Manager Bill Jordan yesterday, March 21, 2019 upon my arrival to work. I was asked to meet by Mr. Jordan, with Police Chief Salazar present - apparently to escort me out of the building.”

Jones said Jordan stated, “the city council had just decided to go a different direction” and that “he had tossed and turned all night over the issue.”

Jones said this did not appear to be true since the termination letter he was handed signed by Jordon stated it was solely his decision. The blindsided EDC Director was also told there would be no, “advance notice, severance pay or other compensation.” I was being “terminated effective immediately,” for no cause or reason.

Jordan did not respond by press time with a statement regarding the termination of Jones. Jordan’s only comments came in an email he sent to the city council, 4A and 4B board members after Jones’ termination. “I wanted to let all the council and 4A and 4B board members know that our EDC Director, Scott Jones, was let go today. I felt like he was not understanding the needs of the city and was struggling with the limitations in a small town. This decision was not made lightly, and not without input from the Mayor and both the 4A and 4B chairs. I will be reaching out the 4A and 4B boards soon to discuss the next direction.”

While the move has left Jones scratching his head to understand, he does say he has received nothing but accolades from almost every member of every board and council in the City of Ferris, including Jordan, prior to his being terminated.

“In fact, Mr. Jordan had just requested that I set up a joint meeting between the 4A and 4B Boards to discuss a couple of issues, including my bonus program after my initial probationary six-month period, which ends in May.”

The EDC director had also recently closed the first property involved in one of the real estate projects last week and had more meetings scheduled. Jordan had also recently purchased he and Jones’ airline tickets and secured hotel reservations for the ICSC retail convention in Las Vegas in May.

The City Personnel Policy, according to Jones, has multiple inconsistencies between his termination and the requirements stated in the policy, which Jordan altered in 2017.

“I was not allowed to complete my six-month probation period called for in the Policy,” Jones explained.

This means he was not allowed his $5,000 bonus payment upon probation completion.

“My exit letter states that my employment status is separated but on good terms and re-hirable,” Jones added. “The Personnel Policy includes an entire section added by Mr. Jordan on counseling, and I received no such counseling. The Policy states the first week of employment the employee will receive eight orientation items from his supervisor,” and the list goes on with at least 11 items Jordan did not fulfill regarding Jones employment with the City of Ferris.

With this termination, it looks like there is yet another disgruntled employee while on Jordan’s watch and Jones said, “I am appealing my wrongful termination.”

He has already requested an appeal hearing in front of the city council.

“I am requesting reinstatement of my position, completion of my probationary period, and full benefits and compensation through my probationary period, at minimum,” Jones concluded. “And I expect the City to honor my Employment Letter, including the bonus payment. I have worked hard for Ferris, and the economic development there is not an easy job. It’s not a location that businesses flock and you must effectively pull or push them one way or another. Nevertheless, I enjoy a challenge and have enjoyed working for the Council, 4A and 4B Boards, and hopefully, through this appeal process, I will be able to do so again. My employment status is re-hirable, as the termination letter states.”