In a surprising turn of events, Durham County manager Kimberly Sowell has resigned after more than six weeks of paid leave, prompting speculation about the circumstances surrounding her departure.
The county commissioners convened in a closed session on Monday, Oct. 28 night and voted unanimously to accept Sowell’s resignation, effective immediately.
Details regarding Sowell’s leave remain shrouded in mystery. County Chair Nida Allam and County Attorney Larissa Williamson declined to address questions about the reasons for her extended absence, and Sowell’s resignation letter has not yet surfaced.
The lack of transparency has raised eyebrows among residents and officials alike.
Sowell, who took on the role in early 2022, was placed on leave beginning Sept. 9. During this time, she has continued to receive her salary, accumulating over $35,000 in gross pay.
As the county’s highest-paid employee, she earned an annual salary exceeding $280,000 as of December, along with additional allowances for housing and vehicle expenses.
Claudia Hager, a respected veteran of the county’s workforce, has stepped in as the acting county manager while the search for Sowell’s successor begins.
Speculation around the nature of Sowell’s leave persists, particularly given that her contract stipulates a year’s worth of pay and benefits if terminated without cause.
However, no severance will be granted if she is found to have committed any wrongdoing.
Despite attempts to reach Sowell for comment, she has not responded and has reportedly lost access to her county email account.
Meanwhile, the State Bureau of Investigation has indicated that they are not involved in any matters related to her leave, leaving the public questioning what might have led to her abrupt resignation.
Durham County residents and stakeholders are left in anticipation of what’s next for county leadership and the implications of this significant change.
