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Nearly $100K Plus Salary: Housing Exec's Early Exit
31 Jul
Summary
- Syracuse Housing Authority paid nearly $100,000 plus salary for early retirement.
- Departure followed turmoil over the East Adams redevelopment project direction.
- The authority's board voted 4-3 to finalize the separation agreement.
The Syracuse Housing Authority has finalized a separation agreement with its former Executive Director, Bill Simmons, entitling him to nearly $100,000 plus a year's salary for early retirement. This decision was made in a 4-3 vote by the authority's board on July 2, with Simmons' last day being July 10. His departure comes after a year of conflict regarding the East Adams redevelopment project.
Simmons, 68, will receive approximately $184,000 for his final year's salary and an additional $90,000 for accrued vacation time. The agreement also includes continued medical, dental, and vision coverage until July 2027 or a payout of COBRA premiums. Simmons agreed not to pursue age discrimination suits against SHA.
The executive director's exit followed public disputes over the East Adams redevelopment, a project aiming to transform hundreds of subsidized apartments into a mixed-income neighborhood. Tensions escalated when then-Mayor Ben Walsh declared a loss of confidence in Simmons' leadership due to perceived delays. Simmons had also filed a conflict-of-interest complaint against board president Ryan Benz.
Recent board appointments reshaped the SHA board, leading to the divided vote on Simmons' separation. He will also serve as a paid consultant for eight weeks to aid the transition. Deputy Executive Director Jalyn Clifford is now acting executive director while a permanent replacement is sought.
