An issue that arose last year between the City of Adel and former City Clerk Jackie Steele has been resolved with the two parties reaching a settlement.

On November 13, 2018, the City fired Steele, citing missed payments and shouting profanity at other City staff as the grounds for termination. This past February, Steele filed a wrongful termination suit against the City administration, followed by an additional suit in March against the City Council. Her lawyers and the City’s attorneys from Ahlers and Cooney eventually came to a settlement agreement that would end the litigation before it went to court. The Council approved the settlement during a special session Wednesday.

The terms stipulate that the City made no admission of guilt, but agreed to pay her the gross settlement amount of $37,500. $17,500 of that will be to compensate for any lost wages she allegedly sustained; $7,500 is for damages; and $12,500 covers attorney fees. Steele had served as Adel City Clerk for five years prior to her termination. Her position was eventually filled by former City Accounting Clerk Angela Leopard, who was hired in January.