Clark County’s top executive expects to be out of a job soon after working at the county since 2001.
The Clark County council has unexpectedly scheduled a public hearing at 2 p.m. Friday to consider the renewal of Clark County Manager Mark McCauley’s contract. When asked if he expected to be retained, McCauley replied with a somber “no.”
During its Wednesday board time meeting, the county council entered into executive session, a closed-door meeting, saying it intended to discuss a personnel issue. In a phone message Thursday, Council Chair Marc Boldt said the council discussed McCauley’s performance review during that session.
In a brief interview, McCauley declined to give the reasons for his expected dismissal, but said, “they kind of let me know in executive session.”
McCauley, who will turn 61 in July and began work at the county as a finance manager in 2001, said he intends to remain in the area. He said he knows “a lot of good people” and wants to find a way to contribute, even in a volunteer capacity.
“I’ve got to evaluate my options,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of energy, passion and experience.”
McCauley was hired by the council in June 2016 as the first county manager under Clark County’s home rule charter.
Under his employment contract, which runs through December, McCauley receives a $169,460 annual salary. The contract states that in the event of his termination, he will receive six months pay as well as contributions to his health insurance.
Previously, he was named “acting county manager” in 2014 after voters passed the charter, which changed the county commission to a council and placed most executive functions in the hands of the new manager position.
During his time as manager, McCauley crafted the first county budget under the charter system. He also clashed with some members of the council over the direction of county government, notably with Tom Mielke and David Madore, who respectively retired and lost re-election last year.
In a Facebook message, Chris Prothero, a local activist who runs a page on the social media network focused on Clark County politics, praised McCauley’s work and was puzzled by his expected dismissal.
“Mark pulled us through a tough stretch,” he wrote.
Calls to other councilors were not returned. But at a board time meeting last month, Councilor Jeanne Stewart scolded McCauley for what she said was his attempt to run the meeting. The audio recording of a council work session last month also captured Stewart, who seemed unaware that the recording device was still on, expressing frustration with McCauley.
McCauley said he’s not sure if he will be immediately dismissed at today’s hearing or be asked to stay on temporarily. On Thursday afternoon, he was seen cleaning out his office on the sixth floor of the Public Service Center. A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, McCauley’s personal items included a collection of military coins, a folded American flag that was flown over Iraq in an F-16 fighter jet during the first Gulf War, as well as wall frames of his degrees including his MBA degree and his CPA certificate.
When asked about his accomplishments, McCauley pointed to Clark County’s annual report, which highlights county achievements and was published earlier this spring, and the State of the County address he gave earlier this year. McCauley also expressed pride in county employees and his efforts to improve morale.
“It’s a hard thing,” he said of being let go.
