The 5-0 vote occurred several hours after a closed afternoon meeting in which the council's discussion of Bane's employment contract prompted Councilman Jerry McNeely to threaten to resign his post as council chairman.

McNeely was not present for the evening vote. He said Thursday that he will remain on the council and is still considering whether to resign as chair. He opposes the group's decision because he believes Bane was "doing a good job."

"This is a power trip for certain council members, and Judy [Bane] was caught in the middle of it. It's not right. They're just not being fair," McNeely said. "I don't think it's in the best interest of the community."

Bane was unavailable for comment.

It was the second time in six weeks that the council had considered terminating Bane. A June 13 motion to fire her, brought by council members Langianese and Judy Carmichael, failed, 5-2. The council then voted 6-1 - with Carmichael opposing - to add stipulations to Bane's contract as a condition of her ongoing employment. Those stipulations have not been made public.

Council members announced their decision during a Wednesday morning meeting with county department heads. Langianese and Carmichael will assume some of the administrator's duties until an interim administrator is appointed, Langianese said. Meanwhile, the county will begin a nationwide search for Bane's replacement.

County officials would not discuss the rationale for Bane's termination, but Langianese said the majority of the council became convinced the move is "best for the county."

"This was not an easy decision to make by any stretch, and we realize change is difficult for people," Langianese said. "Now, we want to keep moving forward and just look towards the future. We have to focus on getting the county's business done."

lchurch@citlink.net