So, How *Does* the City Determine 20 Cents Were Needed In Its $90,670.20 Settlement?

Why the city felt it necessary to toss 20 cents onto a settlement of more than $90,000 remains a mystery

​The phrase "And not a penny more!" certainly harks to bargaining scenes in 1930s-era Republic Serial-type pictures. But rarely do you see it actually employed -- and in the 21st century, no less.

Still, what is one to make of the city's proposed settlement payment to aggrieved Recreation and Parks department employee Rose Marie Dennis of $90,670.20. My colleague Benjamin Wachs yesterday pondered where the 20 cents came from. Is this a lawyer's hardball tactic? Did the city initially offer a scant $90,670? Did some hotshot barrister just earn himself an extra nickel off those 20 cents? And could the 49ers use this strategy with holdout receiver Michael Crabtree? 

Dennis, as you may recall, is the former Park and Rec public information officer who accused then-department head Yomi Agunbiade of the rare double-header of religiously and sexually harassing her -- and doing it all in writing. Intrigued by the 20 cents, we made some phone calls.

Sadly, since the settlement isn't scheduled to be finalized until Thursday's meeting of the Board of Supervisors rules committee, folks I reached in city government were extraordinarily tight-lipped about the inner-workings of how a payout of seven significant figures was calculated.

We can say this, however: The tally of $90,670.20 supposedly comes with strings attached and monetary payouts are conditional.

Also, even people very close to this situation were unable to tell SF Weekly exactly why anyone thought it was worthwhile to not, say, round to the nearest dollar.

By the end of this week, however, we may have an answer for you. Bet your bottom dollar (and 20 cents).