Election means EnEarl could return Jan. 1

Douglas County Public Administrator Lynn EnEarl said Tuesday that she isn't prepared to comment on whether she'll reassume her office on Jan. 1.

EnEarl's resignation from the position is effective 5 p.m. today. However, she was re-elected public administrator in the Nov. 2 general election, and could take office again after a month off.

EnEarl said she wasn't ready to say whether she would issue a second resignation for the public administrator's position.

EnEarl tendered her resignation as public administrator and public guardian on Aug. 10 after a series of court cases which publicly criticized her handling of the guardian's position.

"I've got a lot to get done today to clear up the guardianships," she said. "I'm out of my office today, so I have to get everything cleaned out."

During hearings last summer on her guardianships, EnEarl admitted that she hadn't spoken to any of her charges.

Commissioners are scheduled to discuss appointing an interim public administrator to serve until Dec. 31 on Thursday. They are not allowed to start seeking a new administrator until Jan. 1, when EnEarl's new term begins, and then only if she resigns again.

The county separated the public guardian from the position of administrator effective Oct. 7, meaning if EnEarl doesn't resign, she will only have to perform the public administrator's office.

County commissioners received a letter from District Judge Dave Gamble asking that they fill the public guardianship vacancy as soon as possible, since there are 120 guardian cases that are open or require reports.

Gamble recommended the county appoint Comptroller Claudette Springmeyer to the position.

According to a report prepared by County Manager T. Michael Brown, Springmeyer has shown an interest in serving in the position.

She has worked for the county for 22 years and has been comptroller since 1995.

"Both Judge Gamble and I have the utmost respect for Mrs. Springmeyer's financial abilities and integrity and believe she would be an excellent public guardian for Douglas County," Brown wrote.

Springmeyer's appointment would last until Dec. 31, 2014. She would be paid $34,392 per year. To take the position, Springmeyer will have to resign from her job with the county.

County Manager T. Michael Brown said he is seeking authorization from commissioners to hire a finance director.