Even before executive committee members agreed to hire Raymond Rigsby as the new county clerk, they were informed they will need to hire a new deputy clerk as well.
Erica Davel, the deputy clerk, quit, and her last day of employment was June 27.
Davel is the sixth high-level employee to quit within the past four months.
Others who have resigned include:
• Kara Skarlupka, county clerk, effective July 11.
• Nancy Bell, library director, July 3.
• Jennifer Hilliker, deputy treasurer, May 21.
• Carrie Buntjer, finance director, May 2.
• Kimberly Gierach, planning and development/zoning administrator, March 14.
In addition, a few other department heads have quit in the past two years. They are:
• Theresa Hamala, health officer/director with the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department, June 28, 2024.
• Rachel Tuma, human resources director, at the end of 2023.
• Kristie Hauer, library director, Aug. 1, 2023.
Most of the resignation letters, obtained through an open records request, contained expressions of gratitude for time working for the county and with co-workers. Two letters, from Hilliker and Hauer, were brief, noting only their intent to resign and their last day of employment.
One letter was critical of the county and was partially redacted. That was from Gierach, who quit in March after being hired Sept. 9, 2024.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to leave due to ongoing issues with the work environment which have significantly impacted my well-being and ability to perform my job effectively,” she wrote. “The persistent lack of support has made it difficult to maintain a positive and productive working relationship at the County.
“I believe it is in my best interest to pursue a work environment that better aligns with my professional values and promotes a consistent and healthy work-life balance.”
In the letter, it appears that one sentence was redacted.
“The redacted material includes broad and unsubstantiated allegations that, if disclosed, could result in unwarranted reputational harm,” wrote Julie Hasser, human resources director, in response to the open records request.
In January, Gierach filed a formal complaint against a co-worker.
Last month, the county’s ethics committee dismissed all active complaints under its review.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
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