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Jefferson County finance director resigns, following exit of administrator

By Toni Milbourne - For the Chronicle | Dec 31, 2021

Shadle

CHARLES TOWN — Jefferson County Commission President Steve Stolipher confirmed this week that Michelle Gordon, Jefferson County finance director, has resigned from her position.

The resignation comes just a few weeks after Jefferson County Administrator Stephanie Grove reached a separation agreement with the county, ending her longtime employment.

Stolipher indicated he received Gordon’s resignation verbally, indicating her last day was Dec. 22. It was not clear to whom Gordon submitted her resignation, as no response was received from her immediate supervisor, acting administrator Sandy McDonald.

Gordon’s resignation follows a myriad of controversy in the county commission offices, regarding her previous employment and separation from such, as well as whether Jefferson County completed a complete background check before hiring Gordon. Controversy over the issue led, in part, to Grove’s separation from the county, although former commissioner Patsy Noland stressed that the county commission conducts interviews, not the county administrator. Noland assured the public via social media that the commission did do a background check on Gordon; however, a Freedom of Information Act request by a local watchdog group, Jefferson County Perspective, has not successfully drawn proof of the check.

Jefferson County Perspective reported that Gordon allegedly misused funds at her last job for the City of Hagerstown, subsequently leaving the job amid the allegations.

Hansen

Concerns also arose in Jefferson County over alleged overreach of Gordon into budgetary areas of elected officials. Both Sheriff Tom Hansen and Jefferson County Clerk Jacki Shadle have raised multiple concerns with the JCC over Gordon’s alleged “overreach” in her position.

Hansen is on record concerning his position, as is Shadle, who called for a state audit of the county’s finances, something that has been approved by the JCC.

“Once the county commission approves the budget of an elected official, it has little to no control over how the elected official chooses to spend their budget as long as the official stays within their set budget. I have questioned the actions of the financial director, who has continuously exerted excessive control over my budget.,” Hansen said.

The departure of Gordon, and of Grove, comes on the brink of the county entering their budget cycle. Stolipher indicated his intent to have the county advertise for a new finance officer immediately. In the meantime, he said he will seek the approval of the commission to hire Gordon back, on a part-time basis, to help with the budget cycle, as well as to deal with ARPA funding requests that are pending before the commission.

Stolipher would not confirm or deny that Gordon said she would be available for such a move, should the remainder of the commission vote its approval.

McDonald

“That would be a Michelle question,” Stolipher said.

The commission meets next on Jan. 6, at which time officers are to be elected for the upcoming year, potentially ending Stolipher’s role as president.

Stolipher