The Ketchum City Council approved a resolution Thursday afternoon to accept the voluntary resignation of Fire Chief Greg Schwab and to pay him more than $100,000.
The decision was made and announced after an executive session of the council following a special meeting.
Schwab's resignation won't officially be effective until Oct. 20, however. He has been placed on "unpaid administrative leave with full benefits" until that time, the approved resolution states.
In exchange for his voluntary resignation, the city has agreed to pay Schwab $100,000 as well as all "accrued and unused vacation," the resolution states.
Ketchum city officials in attendance at the meeting declined to comment on what led up to Schwab's resignation. City Attorney Ben Worst said several exceptions to Idaho's public records laws exist that allow for the withholding of information when it relates to certain employee personnel matters, such as Schwab's resignation.
"It's basically a personnel matter," said City Administrator Ron LeBlanc. "I'm not at liberty to comment."
LeBlanc said the money being paid to Schwab is "payment in consideration for resignation."
Schwab was originally hired by the city of Ketchum as assistant fire chief on Feb. 20, 2001. He was named fire chief on Aug. 17, 2002.
Assistant Fire Chief Mike Elle has been named the interim fire chief, LeBlanc said. His new role was made effective Thursday.
Schwab is "no longer exercising the responsibilities and duties as the fire chief," LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc said he and Ketchum Mayor Randy Hall will be discussing whom to name as a permanent replacement for Schwab in the next week or so. He declined to comment on whom—Elle or someone else—might be chosen as the permanent replacement.
"It will happen shortly," LeBlanc said.