Jeannette council approved a $12,000 settlement agreement with its former community development director Thursday after she was overpaid for accrued leave upon her retirement last year.

Solicitor Tim Witt said the city found out in the spring that Diana Reitz was given more money than she was entitled to through unused sick and vacation days. Reitz worked for the city for 40 years before retiring in August 2019 and then working as a part-time consultant through the end of 2019.

“This is an attempt on your guys’ part to try and make the city as whole as it can,” he said.

Witt declined to provide a copy of the settlement agreement because a provision in it requires that a Right-to-Know request be filed. A request was filed by the Tribune-Review Thursday night.

Reitz and her attorney Gary Falatovich both declined comment.

Witt would not say the amount Reitz was responsible for repaying the city. The issue was caused by an incorrect calculation through the city’s payroll department that is being addressed, he said.

Reitz and another employee were overpaid in the same manner and the other employee “came back in immediately and paid back that full amount,” he said. City officials have been working since then to get the matter involving Reitz resolved.

Reitz did not work under a collective bargaining agreement but Witt said she was permitted to collect compensation for unused time in the same manner as unionized employees.

The city is working to collect the taxes that were paid with the lump sum, Witt said. The settlement covers a partial reimbursement of legal expenses.

“We just want to be transparent with our taxpayers,” said Mayor Curtis Antoniak.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)