The Knox County Commission on Thursday morning approved a settlement agreement with former Human Resources Manager Michael Schultz.
The specific allegations that led the county to place Schultz, a Hope resident, on administrative leave on March 20 have not been released.
The county commission said the terms of the settlement, including any severance, would be released but they had not been released as of 6 p.m. Thursday. Settlements involving government agencies are public documents.
The county hired the Drummond Woodsum law firm of Portland to conduct an employment investigation connected to Schultz’s being placed on leave. The agreement with the law firm was signed April 1 by the commission’s chair, Ed Glaser.
Attorney Kasia Park was the investigator. The engagement letter between Drummond Woodsum and the county called for the county to pay $385 per hour. Time spent driving was to be billed at $300 an hour, plus mileage. Park was to conduct interviews and review documents, according to the agreement.
The Midcoast Villager has also asked the county for the cost of the investigation.
Schultz was hired in 2024. He served briefly as interim county administrator late last year.
State law keeps confidential allegations against public employees until or unless a final written disciplinary action is taken.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager