Valley County Commissioners Terminate Employment Of Valley County Refuse District Manager

A 30-year employee with the Valley County Landfill, Brian Austin, saw his employment with Valley County terminated on July 17. Austin has been the Valley County Landfill Manager and Valley County Refuse District Manager for 25 years and has been employed by Valley County for 30 years.

At a meeting on Wednesday, the Valley County Commissioners voted unanimously to terminate Austin’s employment. No discussion took place between the three commissioners before the vote took place.

Valley County Commissioner Mary Armstrong stated during the meeting that Austin had been sent a due process letter stating alleged violations of the county personnel policy. Armstrong noted that Austin replied to the due process letter last week and the purpose of the meeting was to consider whether any disciplinary action was warranted.

A motion was made to terminate Austin’s employment and the motion was seconded. No discussion took place and the vote was unanimous with Commissioner Paul Tweten, John Fahlgren and Mary Armstrong all voting yes.

A turbulent relationship has existed between the commissioners and Brian Austin since the commissioners disbanded the former Valley County Refuse District Board comprised of members of the public. After disbanding the board, the Valley County Commissioners took over management of the Valley County Refuse District and appointed themselves as the governing board.

Austin has a lawsuit pending against the Valley County Commissioners claiming invasion of privacy, breach of public duty and constitutional violations. The lawsuit was filed in May of this year and is in the early stages of moving through the judicial process.

None of the alleged violations of the personnel policy were made public at the meeting on Wednesday and the commissioners didn’t release the reply made by Austin to the alleged violations.

Valley County Commissioner Paul Tweten told Kltz/Mix-93 that August Aho has been named interim Valley County Refuse District Manager and will fill that role for the foreseeable future.

To view an audio and video recording of the Wednesday meeting: http://www.valleycountymt.gov/board-county-commissioners/pages/video-recordings-discussion-and-decision-meetings.