FAYETTEVILLE -- The assistant attorney for Washington County resigned abruptly last week, leaving some justices of the peace concerned about daily operations and employee morale at the Road Department.
"There's something happening," said Justice of the Peace Daniel Balls, a Democrat representing southern Fayetteville. "We are seeing a lot of people leave the county with no reason why, so we need to look at why people are leaving."
Assistant Attorney Job Duties
The Washington County Quorum Court approved changing a paralegal position to assistant attorney in October. The new job description included drafting legal documents, doing office duties, filing, releasing probates, handling legal aspects of tax collection, researching legal issues, keeping up with office supplies, consulting with attorneys and other elected officials on legal matters, maintaining a spreadsheet of county contracts, handling application, compliance and implementation of required permits, helping the Road Department superintendent with ordinances, policies and job descriptions and reviewing contracts and leases for the Road Department.
Source: Washington County Quorum Court Personnel Committee
Lanie Miller turned in her resignation, effective immediately, April 16. The position wasn't posted on the county's website as of Wednesday afternoon.
Miller's resignation was a surprise, County Attorney Brian Lester wrote in email Wednesday.
"Lanie was a very valuable asset to the county, and I appreciate her hard work and commitment to her job," Lester said.
Lester said he's handling all legal duties.
Miller's resignation comes on the heels of the January resignation of the assistant road superintendent, a federal sexual harassment lawsuit filed by an employee against the Road Department and County Judge Joseph Wood's decision to fire Comptroller Ashley Farber in March.
Farber oversaw the budgeting process for the $68 million budget. She has filed for a grievance hearing to get back her job, but no date has been set for the hearing.
Miller said Monday she loved her job and was sad to leave but wouldn't say why she left. Her two-sentence resignation letter said she felt "compelled at this time to step down."
Lester didn't answer some questions about Miller's resignation emailed Wednesday to him, Wood, Chief of Staff Carl Gales and Human Resources Director Michael Watson. He said Wood didn't discuss employee matters.
Miller's duties included handling legal matters for the Road Department, including storm water and environmental permits. Balls said not having her in that position will slow work on county roads, which sometimes require state permits before work begins.
Lester said operations will not slow down. Miller's duties at the Road Department are mostly being handled by the superintendent and assistant superintendent, Lester said.
Balls said Miller's resignation is strange because it comes just months after the Quorum Court approved changing her position to assistant county attorney, a promotion from a paralegal position, and raising the pay to $40,000 from $34,300. He questioned why she left and whether changes are needed to better keep quality employees.
"Why did she leave?" Balls said. "If it's something we can change, we need to try to change that."
Miller's duties changed Jan. 24, according to an email Gales sent to other department heads. Gales said Miller should handle contract reviews and approvals.
"All daily operational questions regarding purchasing, planning, comptroller, environmental, roads and permitting are to be addressed to Lanie Miller as your primary source of contact," Gales wrote. "Lanie Miller will be available to attend all meetings which require legal interpretation."
Gales said in the email the change was to make the county more efficient. It took effect immediately.
Lester said in a March 22 email none of his duties were transferred to Miller.
Miller was hired in 2015 when Marilyn Edwards was county judge.
The position's duties initially were split between the county's attorney and grants offices. In 2016 the county created a full-time paralegal-assistant position which reported to County Attorney Steve Zega.
Wood fired Zega and replaced him with Lester when Wood took office in January 2017.
Justice of the Peace Butch Pond, a Republican representing eastern Washington County, said Miller was an asset. Pond said Miller had seemed "uncomfortable" with how Wood fired and hired four employees when Wood took office in 2017. Zega was among those employees.
A lawsuit over Wood's firing and hiring practices is pending in circuit court.
In the meantime, county employees remain uneasy, especially after Farber was fired, Pond said.
"They don't know if they might be next," he said.
NW News on 04/26/2018