By james art Durham County manager Kimberley Sowell has resigned after more than six weeks of unexplained paid leave.
County commissioners came out of closed session around 9:15 p.m. Monday and voted unanimously to accept her resignation, effective immediately.
Speaker Nida Alam and District Attorney Larissa Williamson declined to answer questions about the resignation Monday night.
Claudia Hager, a longtime county employee, will continue to serve as acting county manager, just as she did when the previous county manager was ousted in 2021.
The same board members unanimously hired Sowell in early 2022. She went on leave Sept. 9, and district leaders have not said why she was on leave or if she will return.
County officials also declined to provide any information about the nature of Sowell’s leave, other than that it is paid.
Sowell did not respond to The News & Observer’s attempts to reach her by phone, social media or email.
Will County Durham’s manager be sacked?
Sowell was the county’s highest-paid official, overseeing a county budget of nearly $1 billion and approximately 2,400 employees. She has received over $35,000 in gross pay since September.
It’s unclear what Sowell will receive if fired. Her contract says she will receive a year’s salary and benefits if fired, though no payment will be required if Sowell is convicted of a crime, neglects her duties or refuses to comply with county ordinances.
Allum and Williamson would not discuss settlement terms Monday night, and spokeswoman Deborah Craig-Rae said she would send a written request.
Sowell’s resignation letter is not considered a public document under North Carolina law.
Sowell earned an annual salary of at least $280,000 as of December, according to information provided by the state treasurer’s office. Sowell’s contract shows she also received $2,000 per month for housing and $600 per month for a vehicle.
The county did not respond to a records request asking for her current salary.
A State Bureau of Investigation spokesman said Sept. 26 that the agency was not involved. The Audit Chamber did not comment on whether an investigation had been initiated.
The position of district manager has a difficult history
Sowell took over in March 2022, a year after her predecessor, Wendell Davis, was ousted from the same board.
Davis then sued the county and won $790,000 in a settlement, according to records released by the county in 2023. Davis, who is black, accused the two white commissioners of racial and gender discrimination in the case, though both denied the allegations.
It is unclear when the search for a new district manager will begin.
The city is also looking for new leadership, albeit under very different circumstances. City Manager Wanda Page is retiring at the end of this year after 37 years with the city.