Ana Cortez, the Carnation city manager at the center of union-busting arbitration regarding the wrongful termination of four city employees in February 2023, will leave her post with a $120,076 severance package, according to a separation agreement released to the Snoqualmie Valley Record.

While Cortez stopped performing her duties on July 2, the city agreed to extend her employment contract to Sept. 3 and provide severance benefits in exchange for her “waiving all claims or potential claims against the city.”

In addition to her regular $12,500 monthly salary through September, Cortez will receive $84,729 in severance through Feb. 28, 2025, in accordance with the six-month severance period established in her contract. $35,347 in benefits has also been included in the package.

The $35,347 is made up of a $6,000 housing stipend, a $5,880 pension contribution, two weeks of paid management leave totaling $7,651, $9,298 in health benefits coverage, holiday pay for Labor Day and an undetermined amount for accrued but unused vacation time.

“In three years, Ms. Cortez met every council goal that was presented, from traffic calming measures on SR 203 to competitive disposition of public lands; Ms. Cortez provided results — not excuses,” Major Jim Ribail said in an Aug. 8 press release.

The following quote was included in the draft of a press release sent to the Valley Record, but redacted in the final version:

“My only regret is that I did not have enough time to see the sale of the 7-acre surplus land fully realized…” she said. “I am happy to have nearly finalized the Tolt Dam community benefits agreement with Seattle and that this document represents a paradigm shift for Carnation. In reality, I have close to 100 accomplishments, of which, there is not one regret.”

In an interview with the Snoqualmie Valley Record, Cortez declined to comment on her involvement in the layoffs.

According to her LinkedIn, Cortez joined an unnamed consulting firm in August.

In June, the city began issuing back pay ordered by the third-party arbitrator — an estimated $500,000 by Teamsters — to the four employees who were let go. One of the four employees accepted a reinstatement offer.

Carnation announced their search for a new city manager on July 29. Until the position is filled, Rhonda Ender will serve as interim city manager.