As the county nears the end of a study of its hiring and personnel procedures, the top spot in its human resources department has again changed.
Bonnie Ashworth, who had been interim director of the department, retired Aug. 15.
"Bonnie will be missed and we wish her well in retirement," county Commissioner Scott Martin said Tuesday.
Ashworth's departure came just over three months after the county began an audit of its human resources department and a search for a new full-time director. The results of the audit, being overseen by former county Administrator Timothea Kirchner, will be presented to the commissioners Sept. 10.
Kirchner, who was the county's highest-ranking employee from 1996 to 2004, has been studying the department as principal consultant for Financial S&lutions of Reading, an arm of the law firm Stevens & Lee.
Ashworth became interim human resources director in February after the firing of Jane E'del who was let go during her 90-day probationary period.
Attempts to reach Ashworth on Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Andrea McCue, the county's chief clerk, is filling in as head of the department until a new director can be hired, which commissioners say they expect by the end of October.
"We as a board have met with the remaining staff down there. We believe that they are a very cohesive group and they are a team and they will work together with Andrea McCue's assistance to deal with all their duties until we staff the human resources director," Commissioner Chairman Dennis Stuckey said.
Staff writer Chad Umble can be reached at cumble@LNPnews.com or 481-6031.
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