The head of Portland’s Water Bureau has accepted a six-figure severance to depart the agency nearly a month after she was forced to go on leave with no public explanation.

Gabriel Solmer, who led the bureau since 2020, will receive $141,000 — or half her annual salary — and six months of health insurance in exchange for stepping down from the post, records obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive through a public records request show.

Her last day at the city was Friday, according to a copy of Solmer’s severance agreement.

In late June, Commissioner Mingus Mapps placed Solmer on administrative leave just one business day before he turned the Water Bureau and other agencies he controlled over to Mayor Ted Wheeler in preparation for the city’s transition to a new form of government.

Mapps never gave a reason for his decision, first reported by Willamette Week, even as it left bureau staff in shock and raised eyebrows inside City Hall.

In a letter to Wheeler on Friday, Solmer wrote that her resignation came “with a heavy heart” and “as directed by Commissioner Mapps, and as supported by your administration.”

“I have worked hard during my time at the bureau to show that listening and collaborating with staff, respecting their expertise, and demonstrating transparency in decision-making all result in an effective bureau,” Solmer continued. “I wish the city would have shown as much respect and transparency with me during this transition process.”

Solmer, the first woman to lead the city agency, touted her work overseeing massive infrastructure initiatives such as upgrades to the Washington Park reservoir and construction of the Bull Run water treatment plant, a now $2 billion project that broke ground earlier this year.

She also highlighted the bureau’s efforts implement climate-friendly policies and provide utility assistance to low-income residents.

“Director Solmer led the Water Bureau to kick off one of the city’s largest and most critical infrastructure projects to safeguard our water source, from forest to faucet,” Mapps said in a statement. “We appreciate her service to Portland.”

Wheeler added: “I want to thank Director Solmer for her service, and particularly her commitment to delivering safe, clean drinking water to all Portlanders.”

Edward Campbell, who served as deputy director under Solmer, is now the Water Bureau’s acting director.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh covers Portland city government and politics, with a focus on accountability and watchdog reporting.

Reach him at 503-294-7632

Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com

Follow on X @shanedkavanaugh

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