Larry Thomas.
In a special meeting held this morning, Friday, June 1, Morgan County commissioners voted unanimously to fire County Administrator Larry Thomas from the job he’s held since November 13 of last year.
The agenda for the June 1 special meeting included one item: “Discussion of Employee Grievances presented to Dan James, Morgan County Prosecuting Attorney. Possible Executive Session.”
Commission President Joel Tuttle confirmed that county officials did go into closed session and discussed several grievances filed by county employees. Tuttle wouldn’t describe the nature of the grievances, but confirmed they were in reference to Thomas.
In open session, Commissioner Bob Ford made a motion to terminate Thomas’ employment with the county, effective immediately. Commissioners Tuttle and Ken Reed voted in favor of the motion.
“This is an at-will relationship and we chose to exercise our right to terminate the relationship,” Tuttle said of the firing.
According to Commissioner Ford, Thomas was not at the special meeting or at work in the courthouse on Friday. Tuttle said he told Thomas of the decision by phone.
Thomas had previously worked in Pennsylvania in a similar county administrator capacity. Last fall, he replaced Jody McClintock, who had been in the County Administrator position for eight years and left for a job elsewhere.
Tuttle said county officials will discuss how to fill the administrator’s position during next week’s June 6 commission meeting.