Benton County's top land use employee is on administrative leave indefinitely while ranking officials examine his role as the head of building permitting, planning and local government oversight of Coffin Butte Landfill.
County Administrator Rachel McEneny put Darren Nichols on paid leave Monday, April 22, effectively removing him from his responsibilities as director of the county Community Development Department.
Reached by phone Wednesday, she didn’t say why.
“It’s a personnel matter,” McEneny said. “I really am uncomfortable sharing anything that would hurt this process.”
Benton officials said they were discussing who would take on Nichols’ responsibilities while pausing his job for a process generally put in place to investigate an employee’s behavior or a workplace complaint.
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“That is an ongoing discussion,” County Commissioner Nancy Wyse said.
Wyse said the county’s board of elected leaders didn’t direct staff to send Nichols home and that administrators “at a high level” advised the commissioners.
Administrative leave is not discipline, according to county personnel policy. Benton County officials didn’t say when they’ll conclude their investigation or allow Nichols to return to work.
“This form of leave may be used during the period of an investigation of employee conduct or hostile workplace complaint, pending medical release, or other purposes as approved by the Human Resources Manager,” the policy reads.
Nichols answers to Rick Crager, assistant county administrator. Benton County elevated Crager to the role in March from his prior post as chief financial officer.
County staff won’t disclose details of an employee’s administrative leave without authorization from human resources or legal representatives, according to county public information officer Cory Grogan.
Neither Vance Croney, county counsel, nor Nichols returned voicemails seeking comment before deadline.
Benton pays Nichols about $173,000 each year. The county’s development department regulates building, land zoning and solid waste management, including landfilling trash.