Employment Agreement

CITY OF CHANDLER
CITY CLERK EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered by and between the CITY OF CHANDLER (the “City"),
an Arizona municipal corporation, by its Mayor, and JENNIFER EKBLAD (the “Employee"), (the
City and the Employee may individually be referred to as the “Party” and collectively referred
to as the “Parties”) on this 11th day of January, 2026 (Effective Date).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the City desires to employ the services of Employee as City Clerk of the City of
Chandler, Arizona; and

WHEREAS, the City Council desires to secure and retain the services of the Employee, to set
forth the terms and conditions of employment, and to establish provisions for the
termination of the Employee's services in the event the Employee is unable to fully discharge
the duties of the position or in the event the City elects to otherwise terminate the
Employee's employment; and

WHEREAS, Employee desires to accept employment as the City Clerk of the City;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Duties

City hereby agrees to employ the Employee as City Clerk of the City to perform the
functions and duties of the City Clerk specified in the City Charter and City Code and to
perform such other legally permissible and proper duties and functions as the City Council
shall from time-to-time assign.

SECTION 2. Term and Exclusivity of Employment

A. This term of the Agreement shall commence on January 11, 2026, and continue
through January 11, 2027, unless sooner terminated as provided herein.

B. The Employee agrees to remain in the exclusive employ of the City until
termination of this Agreement and shall not accept or engage in employment with any other
employer during the term of this Agreement.

SECTION 3. Termination and Severance

A. Employee serves at the pleasure of the City Council as provided in’ the
Chandler City Charter and nothing herein shall be taken to prevent, limit or otherwise
interfere with the right of the City to terminate the services of Employee with or without

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cause at any time. There is no express or implied promise made to Employee of any form of
continued employment.

B.

C.

For purposes of this Agreement, involuntary termination shall occur when:

. The majority of the City Council votes to terminate Employee’s employment at

a properly posted and duly authorized meeting of the City Council.

Employees resign at the request of the City Council, whether formal or
informal. Employee may declare an involuntary termination as of the date of

the request.

. The City Council gives Employee notice at least 60 days before the end of the

Agreement that it will not offer a follow-on Agreement upon expiration of the
current Agreement term. The Employee's termination shall be effective as of
the end of the Agreement term or an earlier termination date as designated
by the City or the Employee. If the Employee’s employment terminates before
the end of the Agreement term, the Employee shall be eligible for the selected
severance set forth in subsection C below immediately following the
termination date.

If Employee is involuntarily terminated for other than good cause by the City
Council, including when the Agreement is allowed to expire without a follow-on
Agreement, while Employee is still willing and able to perform the duties required
under this Agreement, the City agrees to provide one of the following severance
packages, which must be elected by Employee no later than five (5) business days
after Employee's receipt of the notice of termination or decision not to renew the
Agreement, or Employee's involuntary Resignation. Once selected, Employee's
severance package may not be changed.

Option 1:

A single lump sum severance payment in an amount equivalent to four (4)
months’ aggregate salary at the then-current rate of pay, deferred
compensation thereon, and the value of one hundred percent (100%) of
Employee's accrued vacation leave and fifty percent (50%) of accrued sick
leave.

The City’s share of life insurance coverage for four (4) months.

Option 2:

Continuing pay and benefits for up to six (6) months or until Employee
commences retirement or obtains other full-time employment and benefits

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coverage through a group health insurance plan from the Employee's new

employer, whichever occurs sooner, as follows:

- Pay and deposits of deferred compensation based on Employee's then-
current salary paid every two weeks concurrently with the regular City
payroll.

- The continuation of City benefits based on Employee's elections at the time
of termination.

e A lump sum payment of the value of one hundred percent (100%) of
Employee's accrued vacation leave and fifty percent (50%) of accrued sick leave
to be made at the time of Employee's final check.

D. Payments made by the City under either severance package will release the
City from any further obligations under this Agreement. Before the delivery of any
severance payment under either option set out above, Employee agrees to execute and
deliver to the City a waiver and general release releasing the City from all claims that
Employee may have against City, in a form mutually acceptable to the Parties.

E. The City shall not be obligated to pay, and shall not pay, any severance
payments under the provisions of paragraph 3.C, if the Employee is terminated for good
cause as defined in paragraph 3.F. below. Further, the City shall not be obligated to pay, and
shall not pay, any severance amount under the provisions of paragraph 3.C., in the event
Employee voluntarily resigns without affirmative action by City to terminate, initiate
termination proceedings, or request Employee's resignation.

FE; Good Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "good cause" is defined
as, but not limited to, the following:

1. Any willful, knowing, grossly negligent, or negligent breach, disregard, or
habitual neglect of any provision of this Agreement, or any willful, knowing,
grossly negligent, or negligent breach, disregard, or habitual neglect of any
duty or obligation required to be performed by Employee under this
Agreement or under the Charter and ordinances of the City and/or the laws of
the United States or the State of Arizona.

2. Incompetence in the performance of the Employee's duties as documented by
evaluations, memoranda, or other written communication from the City;
provided, however, the terms and conditions of this paragraph shall not justify
good cause unless the City has provided Employee notice and a reasonable
opportunity to remediate any incompetency.

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3. Any misconduct of the Employee involving an act of moral turpitude, criminal
illegality (excepting minor traffic violations), or habitual violations of the traffic
laws, whether or not related to the Employee's official duties hereunder.

4. Any violation by the Employee of a statute or law constituting misconduct in
office.

5. Any conduct by employee that violates any law, rule, or policy prohibiting
discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

6. Any conduct that would constitute a material violation of City rules,
regulations, or policies.

7. Any willful, knowing, grossly negligent, or negligent misapplication or misuse,
direct or indirect, by Employee of public or other funds or other property, real,
personal, or mixed, owned by, or entrusted to the City, or Employee in his/her
official capacity.

8. Knowingly falsifying records or documents related to the City’s activities.

9. Knowing misrepresentation of material facts to the Mayor and City Council or
other City officials in the conduct of the City’s business.

10. Insubordination or failure to comply with lawful directives of the Mayor and
City Council unless compliance with such directive would violate the law or any
ethical code or rules applicable to the Employee.

11.The unlawful use or abuse of drugs, hallucinogens, alcohol, or other
substances regulated by federal or state law.

12. The suspension or loss of any professional license required to perform the
duties of the position.

13. Any other reason constituting “good cause” under Arizona law.

G. Resignation. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit, or otherwise
interfere with the right of Employee to resign at any time from his/her position or to retire
from public service. If the Employee voluntarily resigns their position or retires prior to the
expiration of the term of this Agreement, Employee shall give the City at least sixty (60) days’
advance notice, or such advance notice as may be otherwise mutually agreed upon. In the
case of a voluntary resignation or retirement, no severance package will be provided to
Employee.

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SECTION 4. Salary

A. The City agrees to pay the Employee for the services rendered pursuant to this
Agreement an annual salary of $190,008.00 (One Hundred Ninety Thousand Eight Dollars),
less applicable deductions and withholdings required by law, payable at the same intervals
and in the same manner as compensation is paid to regular City employees.

B. Salary adjustments and merit increases approved for regular, unrepresented
employees during the term of the Agreement shall not apply to Employee.

Cc. Performance and Salary Review. The City and the Employee agree that after
six (6) months from the commencement date of this Agreement, the Parties shall conduct a
review of the Employee's performance and compensation. The review shall be scheduled no
later than thirty (30) days following the 6-month anniversary date. This review may result in
renegotiation of the Employee's salary based on performance, market conditions, and other
relevant factors. Any adjustment to salary shall be documented in writing and signed by both
parties.

SECTION 5. Hours of Work

A. The Employee is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and shall
work no fewer than 40 hours per week except when a City holiday occurs or when on a sick
leave or other leave approved by the Mayor.

B. In the event Employee is required to work more than 40 hours in a week,
Employee shall not be compensated for the additional time.

Cc. The Employee may adjust their office hours as deemed appropriate, provided
Employee is present each workday and the management of the City is not adversely affected.

SECTION 6. Professional Dues and Subscriptions

The City shall budget for and pay the professional dues and subscription costs
necessary for the Employee’s continued membership and full participation in national,
regional, state, and local professional associations and organizations that are deemed
necessary or desirable for the Employee's ongoing professional development, growth, and
advancement, and which serve the best interests of the City, subject to the City’s
determination of necessity.

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SECTION 7. Professional Development

A. Professional and Travel Expenses. The City shall budget for and pay the
reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred by the Employee for professional and

official travel, meetings, conferences, and other events necessary to support the Employee's
continued professional development and to enable the Employee to effectively participate
in official duties, including service on national, regional, state, and local governmental
boards, committees, or organizations, subject to the City's determination of necessity.

B. Education and Training Expenses. The City shall budget for and pay the
travel and subsistence expenses of Employee for short courses, institutes, and seminars that

are necessary for professional development and for the good of the City, subject to the City's
determination of necessity.

G Advance Notice. The Employee shall provide reasonable prior notice to the
Mayor and Council of the estimated time and anticipated expenditures under this Section.

SECTION 8. Other Terms and Conditions of Employment
A, Authority to Modify Employment Terms. The City Council shall fix any such

other terms and conditions of employment, as it may determine from time to time, relating
to the performance of Employee, provided such terms and conditions are not inconsistent
with or in conflict with the provisions of this Agreement, the City Charter, or any other law.

B. City Benefits and Working Conditions. All provisions of the City Charter, City
Code, and the City’s Personnel Rules and Regulations that relate to vacation and sick leave,

holidays, other fringe benefits (excluding medical, dental, retirement and vision benefits),
and working conditions, as currently in effect or as may be amended in the future, shall apply
to the Employee as they apply to other City employees. These provisions shall apply in
addition to any benefits specifically provided to the Employee under the Agreement, unless
otherwise stated herein.

GC. Defense and Indemnification. The Employee shall be covered under the City
Code provisions on defense and indemnification of City employees for acts within the scope
of Employee's employment.

D. Deferred Compensation. The Employee shall be entitled to deferred
compensation in an amount equal to seven percent (7%) of Employee's base salary. This
amount shall be paid in equal biweekly installments and deposited into Employee's City-
designated deferred compensation account. If the amount paid to the Employee in deferred
compensation exceeds the maximum contribution limit for 457(b) plans for the tax year, any
amounts in excess of the annual limit shall be paid into an investment vehicle of the
Employee's election.

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E; Life Insurance. The City shall provide the Employee with a term life insurance
plan in an amount equal to 1.5 times the Employee's annualized salary, payable to
Employee's designated beneficiaries.

F, City-Provided Cell Phone. The City shall provide the Employee with a cell phone
and necessary service plan for use in connection with City business. The cell phone shall
remain the property of the City and must be returned upon termination of employment or
upon request. The Employee is expected to use the cell phone primarily for official City
business and comply with any applicable City policies regarding its use. The Employee
acknowledges that all communications and data on the City-provided cell phone are subject
to public records laws and may be subject to disclosure in accordance with such laws. While
the City respects the Employee's privacy, the Employee should have no expectation of privacy
regarding any information transmitted, received, or stored on the city-provided device.

G. Leave Accruals, and Payouts.

1. Accrual: The Employee will accrue vacation and sick leave in accordance
with the City Personnel Rules.

2. Sick leave Payout.

a. Upon separation from City service, the Employee shall be
entitled to compensation for accrued sick leave in accordance with the
provisions applicable to the payment of accrued sick leave for regular
employees upon retirement.

b. If the Employee dies while in City service, the Employee's
designated beneficiaries shall be entitled to compensation for any
accrued sick leave, in accordance with the City Personnel Rules.

SECTION 9. Tax Compliance.

The Employee shall be responsible for compliance with all Internal Revenue Service
and Arizona Department of Revenue tax requirements related to any salary or benefits
received under this Agreement.

SECTION 10. General Provisions

A. Entire Agreement. This document constitutes the final and complete
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes
all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, whether written or oral.

B. Amendment. Any amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be
effective only if made in writing and signed by both parties.

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(on Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Employee's heirs, legal

representatives, successors, and assigns, and the successors and assigns of the City.

D. Headings. The section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of the
Agreement.

E. Severability. If any provisions, or any portion thereof, contained in this
Agreement are held to be unconstitutional, invalid, or unenforceable, the remainder of the
Agreement, or portion thereof, shall be deemed severable, shall not be affected, and shall
remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

FOR THE CITY FOR THE EMPLOYEE
By: By: _( EN scans i= (A
MAYOR J JENNIFER EKBLAD

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

By:

City Attorney DB

ATTEST:

By:

City Clerk

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