County finance director Cathy Hartesvelt remains on paid leave following her suspension by county administrator Jim Dyer, Jan. 9.
Dyer had expected to present the findings of his investigation during Tuesday’s monthly meeting, after a 4:30 p.m. meeting with Hartesvelt. This took place just two hours prior to the 6:30 p.m. starting time.
But nothing came of it. Instead, two commissioners — District 3 commissioner Will Bunek and District 5 commissioners Alan Campbell — made details of the ongoing battle between Hartesvelt and county administrator Jim Dyer.
Airing dirty laundry in public. “My understanding of the circumstances that led to this meeting was that the finance director had a conversation with the county Treasurer concerning health insurance in a hallway,” Bunek wrote. “This conversation according to John Gallagher (who was not present at the meeting nor had his complaint in writing) believes Miss Hartesvelt was attempting to undermine the administrators (sic) desires for health insurance.
Gallagher declined to comment out of respect for the process.
“The finance director stated she did talk with the treasurer about how health insurance premiums would be funded until taxes come in July, and did not in anyway try to undermine Mr. Dyer.
“Please do not answer this email. We can discuss it at our next meeting with Mr. Dyer has indicated in his email.”
Campbell, in his constituency newsletter, outlined details.
“… you met with the county treasurer for the purpose of inducing or encouraging opposition to the changes in the county’s Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance propgram, including a proposed change in the $20,000 stop-loss attachment point,” Campbell wrote. “I can provide constituents with information from the two public documents (Bunek’s memo and his newsletter.)
“The official notice provided the finance director, who was allowed to have one person present when she was suspended during a late afternoon meeting before the administrator and human resources director. She chose commissioner Will Bunek to attend the meeting.
But one commissioner felt the details of the employee discipline should not be divulged.
“I believe his inclusion of the disciplinary complaint to the finance director and (Bunek’s) report of discipline conference between the finance director and administrator was inappropriate and a potential risk to the county,” District 4 commissioner Ty Wessell said during commissioner comments. “Commissioners have a fundamental fiduciary duty to protect sensitive matters and keep disclosure while the disciplinary process proceeds.
“Maintaining necessary confidentially about sensitive personnel issues is a well-accepted standard for board members.
“I strongly disagree with (Campbell’s) actions.”
