MOORHEAD - A man who was an employee of Clay County for nearly 30 years has resigned as part of an agreement that will pay him $28,000.
The Clay County Commission this morning accepted the resignation of Lee Livdahl effective April 1, 2008.
According to a resolution approved by the board this morning, in return for the resignation the county agreed to pay Livdahl $28,000 "as a full and final payment for release of any and all claims."
Livdahl was a maintenance foreman for the county highway department who began working for the county in 1979.
His salary was $56,035.
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Mike Rengel, a Fergus Falls, Minn., attorney hired by the county, said Livdahl had received no pay from the county since April 2008 and was working elsewhere.
"It wasn't a formal leave of absence, but he was on leave," Rengel said.
Rengel said Minnesota's Data Practices Act prevented him from discussing the matter in detail but he said a disciplinary action had been initiated and Livdahl had requested an independent hearing.
Rengel said the process was put on hold while the county awaited a court decision on an unrelated matter that would shed light on whether Livdahl was entitled to an independent hearing.
Meanwhile, he said, the situation was resolved through mediation, which resulted in an agreement that was reflected in the vote taken by the commission Tuesday.
Because Livdahl resigned before there was a final disposition in the disciplinary action Rengel said he is prevented by Minnesota law from discussing the underlying circumstances.
The $28,000 that will be paid to Livdahl is over and above his salary, Rengel said.
