Denver mayor pushed out transportation chief with $22K deal

Driving the news: Johnston asked Ford on Oct. 9 to resign as executive director after three years in the role.

• Ford agreed to leave Dec. 4 in exchange for $22,525 in severance, under an agreement that restricts her from disparaging Johnston or his administration.

Catch up quick: When the mayor's office announced her departure Nov. 2, it made no mention of the requested resignation or agreement, instead saying Ford was pursuing another role.

What they're saying: "The mayor and I are in agreement about my departure," Ford told Axios in a text message Thursday, adding, "the time was right for both of us to make a change."

• Johnston spokesperson Jon Ewing similarly told Axios the two had reached a "mutual understanding," confirming that the mayor initiated the conversation.

Context: Ford's ousting comes as the city's transportation department has come under fire for slow projects and service complaints, Denverite reports.

• Other controversies include a reversed Alameda Avenue redesign, poorly communicated street changes and problems with Denver's scooter operator, per 9NEWS.

The intrigue: Council member Flor Alvidrez questioned who was responsible for the transportation department's decisions.

• "Is she getting cut because of [Johnston's] decisions, or hers? That part is blurry," she told 9NEWS.

What's next: Cindy Patton, the transportation department's chief operating officer, will serve as interim director.

• Johnston's office says a permanent director will be announced "at a later date."