Lawrence reviews ex-administrator's contract, $27,000

By Nancy Glasscock
nglasscock@decaturdaily.com · 340-2443\

MOULTON — A review of former county administrator Linda Harville's contract was ongoing Tuesday, said Cecil Caine, the county's attorney.

Commissioner John Terry said at an Oct. 8 meeting that Harville wrote herself a paycheck for $27,000 before leaving office last month. Caine said he is reviewing the contract to determine if Harville was entitled to the money.

Commission Chairman Bradley Cross said recently the $27,000 was compensation for 750 hours of comp time, two weeks salary and vacation time.

Personnel policy

According to Lawrence County personnel policy, Harville isn't entitled to overtime pay as a salaried employee regardless of how many hours she worked a week.

However, Buddy Sharpless, executive director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, said Harville's contract could have allowed her to receive $27,000 in compensation.

Termination

Harville was retiring Oct. 1, but the commission voted to terminate her contract and the contract of assistant administrator Karen Harrison after an FBI investigation revealed an illegal monitoring system had been installed in the commission office. Harville and Harrison haven't denied they installed the system, commissioners said.

Executive session

Caine said he may advise the commission to go into an executive session during the next regular meeting to discuss the issue.

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