City Administrator Resigns, Gets $45K

GIG HARBOR, WA — City Administrator Wade Farris resigned this week following a complaint about unprofessional conduct and a subsequent mayoral suspension in spring.

Mayor Kit Kuhn on June 3 placed Farris on paid administrative leave to investigate allegations Farris treated women in the city offices differently than the male employees. That investigation — conducted by an outside firm — will reportedly continue, according to Kuhn.

Farris was placed on an individual performance improvement plan in April after Kuhn sent the city administrator a letter of reprimand that cited unprofessional behavior during a job interview. However, Kuhn this week said Farris' official resignation had "more to do with day-to-day job performance."

According to The News Tribune, Farris will receive a severance totaling more than $45,000, which the Gig Harbor City Council agreed upon Tuesday during an executive session.