Board places fairgrounds manager on paid administrative leave, appoints commissioner as interim

The Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 18 authorized the chair to sign a letter placing the county fairgrounds manager on paid administrative leave and appointed Commissioner Todd Kimball as interim fairgrounds manager.

Chief civil deputy Jesse Nolte told the board the actions were necessary because "a situation came up" over the weekend that required a prompt personnel response; Nolte presented the leave letter to the board. The board approved the two motions without additional public discussion. "I move to authorize the chair to sign a letter placing fairgrounds manager on paid administrative leave," Commissioner Clayton said; the motion was seconded and carried 3–0. The board then voted to appoint Commissioner Kimball as interim manager.

Commissioners did not discuss details of the underlying personnel matter in public during the meeting; Nolte had asked for executive-session time earlier regarding performance of a public employee and pending litigation. The leave and interim appointment were taken as immediate operational steps to ensure oversight of fairgrounds operations while the county addresses the personnel issue.