SULTAN — Ken Walker has resigned from two top management positions this year.
He stopped working as Sultan’s city administrator in March. He signed a separation agreement after half the city staff complained about him. About 20 people work there full time.
Walker moved to California and became the county administrator of Inyo County in May. He abruptly quit that job earlier this month, according to an article in The Inyo Register newspaper. His annual salary was about $113,000.
He was paid around $143,000 per year in Sultan.
Walker was hired by former Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick in October 2012. He mostly behaved himself until about 2016, according to the available records.
Then early this year, a department manager turned in a complaint about him at the same time as her resignation. That prompted Mayor John Seehuus to request an investigation into Walker’s behavior.
The results of that investigation, and Walker’s separation agreement, were obtained by The Daily Herald through a public records request. The newspaper published a story about the information in August.
In Sultan, Walker allegedly threatened to fire people for no apparent reason, worked on personal projects on the clock, and would raise his voice and swear at employees, records show.
Seehuus received the report March 16. Walker resigned days later.
The settlement agreement included a clause that said the city would not give negative feedback if Walker asked for a job reference.
Walker was chosen for the Inyo County position from 10 applicants, according to The Inyo Register. He worked there for five months.
Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @stephrdavey.
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