Durham has a new county manager. Here’s how much her predecessor’s severance pay cost.
The hiring of a new county manager known as a dedicated leader with an “unwavering love for Durham” has come with the release of new information about her predecessor’s exit.
Claudia Hager is a budget expert who promised to be a “servant leader” through economic and political uncertainties. She was sworn in Tuesday night, with her son by her side and the Board of Commissioners chambers filled for the first time in months.
“I am just grateful and honored and I will do my best to serve,” she said. “We will get through this.”
Hager was hired Nov. 4, one week after Kimberly Sowell resigned following nearly two months of unexplained leave.
Elected leaders and county staff have repeatedly refused to discuss Sowell’s exit, but a county spokesperson now says she is being paid just over $116,000 in severance.
The reasons behind her leave and resignation are “confidential personnel information” and will not be released by the county, a spokesperson said last week.
Sowell hasn’t responded to multiple attempts to reach her. Sowell, a hire from Greensboro, worked for the county for less than three years.
Sowell’s severance amounts to less than six months pay, but officials have not said how they arrived at this figure. The News & Observer has requested minutes from closed-session meetings, which are currently sealed. But according to state law, they must be released once they no longer “frustrate the purpose of (the) closed session.”
Earlier this year, when Durham Public Schools Superintendent Pascal Mubenga resigned, he received a year’s salary, or nearly $298,000.
’Unwavering love for Durham’
The Board of Commissioners unanimously selected Hager to oversee the county’s nearly $1 billion budget and roughly 2,200 employees, forgoing a lengthy nationwide search.
Hager has worked for Durham County for about 14 years and was most recently a deputy county manager overseeing financial affairs. Her previous experience includes financial management jobs at N.C. Central University and the UNC System.
Hager’s new contract says she’ll be paid $295,000 a year, plus benefits.
Chair Nida Allam said she will anchor Durham County with wisdom and compassion.
“What stands out most about you is your unwavering love for Durham County,” Allam told Hager during Tuesday night’s ceremony. “You always consistently go above and beyond.”
Fellow commissioners praised Hager as dedicated and solutions-oriented.
“The first car to be in the parking lot and the last one to leave every night is Claudia Hager’s,” Wendy Jacobs said. “And that has been for years.”
Nimasheena Burns said she “demands good be done and insists all voices be heard.” Heidi Carter praised her “tremendous depth of experience and knowledge” and the “widespread respect” she commands.
This story was originally published November 12, 2024 at 5:38 PM.
