SLAYTON — The Murray County Administrator has been placed on leave, pending an investigation. John Edison, an attorney working with the county, said last week that he could not comment on the matter, beyond confirming that Murray County Commissioners voted to authorize an investigation into concerns regarding county administrator Carolyn McDonald.

However, Murray County Commissioners are holding a special meeting Thursday regarding an employment investigation and possible official action.

McDonald was hired as Murray County Administrator in 2022. Previously, she had served as Human Resources director for Lyon County.

The Murray County Wheel/Herald reported last week that commissioners voted to place McDonald on paid leave, after a closed-session performance evaluation. After the closed meeting, commissioners made three separate votes. A majority of commissioners voted to place McDonald on paid leave immediately, the Wheel/Herald reported. Two other motions – one to authorize legal counsel to help arrange for an investigator into complaints against McDonald, and one to make Commissioners Dennis Welgraven and Mark Carlson the points of contact for legal counsel and the investigator – each passed unanimously, the Wheel/Herald reported.

The Wheel/Herald’s report did not say what kind of complaints were made about McDonald. The Independent contacted both Welgraven and Edison last week, but neither said they could comment on the matter.

This week, a notice went out of a special county commissioner meeting on Thursday. The agenda for the meeting includes three EDA Loan recommendations to businesses, and some items related to the county administrator.

The special meeting agenda includes items for considering an outside investigator for an employment investigation, as well as “consideration of other items necessary to ensure continuity of county operations while County Administrator is on paid administrative leave.” Other items on the agenda include discussion of issues related to the county Human Resources Director position, and discussion regarding a grievance.

The agenda notes that the county board may go into closed sessions to address some of the items, if it is required or allowed by the Open Meeting Law.

The special meeting is set for 8:30 a.m. Thursday, in the conference room at the Murray County Highway Department building on State Highway 30 in Slayton.