HELENA — During a meeting on Monday, Helena city leaders approved terminating the contract of City Manager Ana Cortez.
Under the agreement, Cortez will submit her resignation on February 5, effective the next day.
She will receive a lump sum payment of around $163,887.51 from the city, covering nine months of salary and benefits, as well as accrued time off. The city will also provide her with a reference letter.
The mutual separation agreement comes just weeks after Cortez was placed on administrative leave for the second time in a year.
Cortez has been on paid administrative leave since January 17, pending an investigation into a complaint filed against her.
Last summer, an outside investigation cleared Cortez of harassment allegations from two city employees, but it recommended the city work on improving communications between her and staff.
According to a city memo, Kantor Law, PLLC, conducted an investigation of several claims against Ana Cortez. One employee filed a claim of harassment, while another alleged both harassment and age discrimination.
The investigator said the evidence showed Cortez did not violate any city policies, though they said it appeared her management style had “created a rift between Cortez and many City staff.”
It added that some city employees were “having difficulty recognizing Cortez and the [Helena City] Commission’s authority to make changes.”
