YOUNGSTOWN — The city’s board of control approved severance payments to four former department heads who were not retained when Derrick McDowell replaced Jamael Tito Brown as mayor.

The severance payments, approved Monday 3-0 by the board, are mostly for unused sick time, paid at 35% of their hourly rate, and for unused vacation time.

The board consists of McDowell, Finance Director Kyle Miasek and Law Director Adam Buente.

Kevin Flinn, who was buildings and grounds commissioner, received $14,801.31, while Nikki Fields, who was Brown’s chief of staff as well as community planning and economic development department director, received $12,457.74 in severance pay. Fields declined to be interviewed by McDowell.

Also, Carl Davis, the former police chief, received a $7,741.69 severance payment, while Barry Finley, the former fire chief, received $3,957.73.

The severance payments for Davis and Finley were smaller because they both retired and cashed out their severance, and were immediately rehired by Brown.

Neither was retained by McDowell.

Finley retired March 15, 2024, and was rehired three days later by Brown in order to collect money under the state’s Deferred Retirement Option Plan. The board of control on April 25, 2024, approved a $74,103 severance payment to Finley.

Davis retired May 5, 2023, with Brown rehiring him two days later. Davis also had to retire in order to collect his retirement from DROP. The board of control on May 18, 2023, paid a $45,440.77 severance to Davis.

McDowell, an independent, beat Brown, a two-term incumbent Democrat, by 876 votes — 4,654 to 3,778. McDowell received 55.18% of the vote to 44.79% for Brown.

Also Monday, the board of control approved a 30-day severance payment to Brian Clinkscale, who had a $52,000 contract with the city to be its human relations director.

Clinkscale’s contract calls for him to get 30 days’ notice before his deal is terminated. Clinkscale will receive a payment of $4,333.33.