Morro Bay’s recreation director has been let go by the City manager, collecting five months severance pay and more than $20,000 in accrued vacation pay on his way out the door.

City Manager David Buckingham said they let former Recreation Director, Joe Woods, go Friday, April 24.

“Mr. Woods’ employment was discontinued ‘without cause’ under the terms of his ‘at will’ contract,” Buckingham said in a press release, “which included five months of severance pay. At the time of his dismissal, he received full payment of his final two weeks of work [$4,802.57], payout for compensatory accrued leaves [$24,404.51], and severance [$49,325.04].”

Woods worked for the City for more than 26 years, working his way up to director of the department. His job description has varied over the past decade or so. Formerly called the “Recreation & Parks Department,” Woods oversaw maintenance of city parks, management of City facilities such as the Vet’s Hall, and oversight of the various recreation programs. Several years ago, the city council placed streets and tree maintenance under Woods, in a move meant to consolidate the maintenance functions in one department, (streets and trees had been in Public services).

Earlier this year, Buckingham took away all the maintenance including parks from the department and put them under the public works, leaving Woods to just oversee the recreation program. At the time, Buckingham said the department would continue to provide the best recreation programs to the residents.

Starting Monday, Buckingham will be overseeing the recreation department himself.

According to the City’s current salary, the R&P director’s position pays between $102,253 on the low end and $144,978 on the high end. Woods’ actual salary falls somewhere in that range.