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Custer County places planning director on 60-day probation after open-session review
Summary
The Custer County Board of County Commissioners held an open-session personnel review of Planning and Zoning Director Dorothy Carson, citing unreported leave and alleged open-carry incidents; the board voted against removing her and instead approved a 60-day probation.
The Custer County Board of County Commissioners held an open-session personnel review May 27 that resulted in Planning and Zoning Director Dorothy Carson being placed on 60 days of probation.
County Attorney Dan Slater told Carson at the start of the discussion that she had chosen to have the conversation in open session, and that decision waived confidentiality for employment matters. Slater said the board’s review would be limited to issues identified by human resources.
The board said HR had identified two primary concerns: an instance in April when Carson was absent from work for three days or more without notifying her managing supervisor, and reports that she had openly carried a handgun during some inspections. Slater cited the county personnel handbook language that an unexplained absence of three days or more can be treated as a no-call, no-show and may result in disciplinary action up to termination.
Carson told commissioners she understood the attendance rules, said she had notified supervisors she would work from home and take sick and vacation time, and denied intentionally failing to notify anyone. “I would never purposely not call or let you know,” Carson said. She added she frequently works beyond a 40-hour week, performs inspections outside normal hours and keeps her phone on.
On the allegation related to open carry, Carson said she had not open-carried to intimidate anyone and denied open-carrying during inspections. She said concerns about retaliation — which she raised in connection with a separate report she made about social-media posts by another county employee — influenced her decision at one inspection to ask a colleague to accompany her. Carsons’s remarks included: “I would not ever ever try to intimidate somebody by carrying my gun.”
Multiple commissioners and several public speakers commented. One caller, Rob Klein, stated that anyone who carries while working must hold a concealed-carry permit. Landfill supervisor Brian Lockhart and other county employees spoke about expectations for notifying supervisors when a public office will be closed or staff are unavailable.
The board first considered a motion to remove Carson from the director position but that motion did not receive the votes to pass. Commissioners then voted to place Carson on probation for 60 days and required closer oversight and improved processes for planning and zoning operations. The motion for probation passed on a recorded voice vote.
The board directed staff to provide the relevant personnel-handbook sections to the public record and to develop monthly planning-and-zoning workshops and improved monitoring of open items. The board also directed that the planning director role be posted as needed if staffing changes occur.
Carson remains the planning and zoning director under the 60-day probationary arrangement; the board said it would revisit the matter if further issues arise.
