Irmo town administrator leaving job over ‘hostile work environment,’ document shows
The town administrator of Irmo has resigned after reaching an agreement with the town not to sue over a “hostile work environment.”
The agreement is spelled out in a document approved by a 4-1 vote during a special meeting of Irmo Town Council on June 29.
“(T)he Employee releases, and covenants not to sue the Town, its employees, ex-employees and any and all other persons and entities closely or remotely connected with the Town,” the agreement reads. “The Employee further agrees not to pursue damages from the hostile work environment that he has endured during the recent months.”
Robert Brown agreed to leave his post effective July 2, the document reads, but Brown told The State he will continue in the job through the transition to a new administrator. The town is currently accepting applications and expects to conduct interviews next month, the administrator said.
Brown will also receive 30 weeks severance pay as well as accrued leave and sick time, according to the agreement. Brown’s salary was listed as $112,434 as of 2017.
When reached by The State, Brown declined to comment on the agreement, citing a clause in which he agrees “he will do nothing and say nothing to disparage the Town or members of Council.”
“The Town agrees to do nothing to disparage the Employee,” the agreement reads. “The Council will also admonish employees that they are to do or say nothing to disparage the Employee.”
Irmo Mayor Barry Walker also declined to elaborate on the document, although he noted it was written by Brown and that Walker vote against it at the town council meeting June 29.
“There’s nothing else to say,” Walker said. “After 25 years, he’s retired.”
Brown has been the town’s administrator since 2011. A retired U.S. Army major, he previously served as the town’s special project coordinator since 1997, in which he oversaw the design and construction of the Lake Murray and Broad River Road interchanges with Interstate 26, a new police facility, three town parks and the Crepe Myrtle Beautification project along the railroad tracks adjacent to Woodrow Street, according to a biography on the town website.
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