Log in Newsletter

Former interim county manager resigns early from consulting job

Renee Paschal, whose contract extended through budget season, will now leave April 13

Posted

Former interim Cumberland County Manager Renee Paschal earlier this week resigned as a consultant to the county manager.

Paschal became the county’s interim manager in December when Amy Cannon retired and before the county hired a new full-time manager. Paschal retired as manager of Chatham County and had served in several interim local government positions before accepting the temporary job here.

Cumberland County hired Clarence Grier as its full-time manager earlier this year, and he began his duties on March 1.

At its Feb. 20 meeting, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved a contract with Paschal for consulting services through March. Initially, the county planned to contract with Paschal only through March 31. However, board members suggested that Paschal remain as a consultant during the upcoming budget process and voted to extend her contract through June 30.

“Earlier this week, Paschal communicated to Grier her intent to resign from this role in mid-April,” Assistant County Manager Brian Haney said Wednesday.

Board members cited Paschal’s continued presence as invaluable to Grier during the critical budget season. Local governments are required by state law to submit a balanced budget by the end of June before the start of a new fiscal year.

Board Chairwoman Toni Stewart sent a memo to fellow commissioners on Tuesday telling them that Paschal submitted her resignation letter on March 13.

The CityView News Fund is a nonprofit organization that supports CityView’s newsgathering operation. Will you help us with a tax-deductible donation?

Grier expressed appreciation to Paschal.

“I want to thank Renee for all she has done to help onboard me in the role of Cumberland County manager over the past 15 days,” he said in a statement provided to CityView through Haney. “As we have moved through the transition, Renee decided that it would be best for her to move in a different direction and shared her intent to resign from her consulting role effective April 13.

“I respect and support her decision, and I want to thank her for the work she has done during the transition between county managers and since I’ve started. She worked with our staff to keep Cumberland County moving forward and has made my transition seamless,” Grier said in his written statement.

In a written statement provided by Pascal, she said: “I have really enjoyed my time here in Cumberland County working with the Board of Commissioners and staff in the County Manager’s Office and across the organization. We have a great team, and I am excited about the county’s future. When I agreed to serve as interim county manager, I also agreed to assist with the transition of the new county manager. As I have worked with Clarence, he has been eager to dive into the role and get involved in all the county’s ongoing projects including the FY 2024 budget process, and I believe with the team currently in place, he is able to hit the ground running. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Board of Commissioners, and the employees and citizens of Cumberland County.”

The board earlier this year also approved a consulting agreement with former County Manager Cannon. That agreement extends through June 30.

Cumberland County, Renee Paschal, Board of Commissioners

X