New Hanover County Clerk Sheila Schult has resigned, apparently at the invitation of a majority of commissioners.
Commissioner Jonathan Barfield confirmed Schult’s resignation, stating that a majority of the board was dissatisfied with her performance as clerk. Barfield said he was part of that majority, which he said offered her a chance to resign.
“The county attorney, the county manager and the clerk to the board work at the pleasure of the board of commissioners, and a majority of the board felt like we weren’t being served in the way we needed to be served by the clerk,” Barfield said. “So the decision was made to offer the opportunity to resign, which she decided to resign.”
Barfield declined to elaborate on his reasons for requesting Schult’s departure. Chairman Woody White confirmed the resignation via text; messages left for Vice Chairwoman Beth Dawson and Commissioner Tom Wolfe were not immediately returned. (Commissioner Brian Berger remains in the New Hanover County Detention Center.)
A spokesman for the county asked to return a call when reached, noting he was meeting with human resources staff. Barfield indicated a press release would be issued.
Schult has served as county clerk for years, though her length of employment could not be verified with the county’s human resources department. A call to that department was referred to Director Mark Francolini, who was not immediately available to the phone.
Schult’s salary as clerk was $76,741. A recent pay classification study commissioned by the county did not recommend adjusting her salary, while other administrative positions were recommended for increases, including the county manager and the county attorney.
Asked if he was pleased with the performance of County Manager Chris Coudriet and County Attorney Wanda Copley, Barfield said: “Absolutely.”
Word of Schult’s departure comes just hours before the board is scheduled to meet in regular session at 4 p.m. today. An agenda briefing scheduled last week was cancelled; a notice said the cancellation was due to “a limited number of agenda items and scheduling conflicts.”
UPDATE: The county issued a press release Monday acknowledging Schult’s resignation effective immediately. The release states the board received the resignation “after a majority had concerns with the clerk’s ability to serve the board effectively.”
The release states the county “acknowledges the resignation and will honor the terms of her employment agreement.”
Jonathan Spiers is a reporter for Port City Daily. He can be reached at (910) 772-6313 or jonathan.s@portcitydaily.com. On Twitter: @jrspiers
