McGowan, who was out of the office and unavailable for comment Monday, has not challenged the disciplinary action, obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune through an open-records request.
"Felix is a gentleman. He took it very well," said April Townsend, whose administrative services department oversees personnel. Townsend says her goal as a new director is to create a culture of accountability at the scandal-scarred county.
"The intent is to be very clear on the expectations as we move forward."
McGowan also was reprimanded in writing this spring following an explosive audit chronicling widespread abuses of the county's Tuition Assistance Program. That report, along with allegations from a series of whistle-blowers, led to a criminal probe by the District Attorney's Office into McGowan as well as personnel problems including potential fraud in time cards and overtime records.
Those investigations are ongoing.
The latest corrective action - McGowan was given 45 days from mid-September to take the forced leave - puts the personnel director on the brink. The county's usual disciplinary sequence for merit employees is verbal warning, written warning, suspension and then termination, according to the current discipline policy the county enacted in 2000.
According to an August audit, Roy Arrigo, the county's longtime classification and compensation manager, engaged in an "obvious conflict of interest" when he skirted the hiring process, screened his wife's job application and then later approved her raise.
An "inordinate amount of time lapsed" before McGowan chastised Arrigo, Townsend wrote in a disciplinary letter. Then, after issuing Arrigo a written warning, McGowan offered to remove it from the file after one year.
"This was a minimum amount of discipline for a severe misuse of position, and offering to remove it from the official file is a misuse of your authority," Townsend wrote.
She further scolded McGowan for not establishing clear protocols or insisting that managers recuse themselves from activities that could benefit a family member.
"The lack of timely leadership, direction and clarification in responding to this issue is disconcerting and unacceptable," Townsend stated in the letter. "The overall inconsistency within the division has been magnified by inconsistencies throughout the entire county."
A second portion of McGowan's suspension stems from a "highly inappropriate and unprofessional" conversation the director had with a job applicant. Townsend's letter notes McGowan told the former county worker he was being passed over based on information from employees in the auditor's office and a negative reference.
"The implications to the county for this error in judgment are significant," Townsend wrote.
Besides the suspension, Townsend insisted McGowan meet with her on a biweekly basis through the end of the year.
djensen@sltrib.com
County deficit $74 million
Huddling this month to balance the 2006 books, Salt Lake County officials got an unpleasant surprise: The operating budget is $74 million in the hole. Chief Administrative Officer Doug Willmore blames a 15 percent spike in health insurance costs, relatively flat property taxes and inflation for the discrepancy. He also fingers the former administration, noting Mayor Peter Corroon's team is taking its first crack at a full year's budget. "We inherited it. But we're going to solve it and still hold the line on taxes," Willmore said. County expenses for 2005 total $917 million, while revenue is projected near $842 million. To make up the difference, officials must aggressively tap the county's collective fund reserves, currently at $268 million. "Shared sacrifice," Willmore added. "That's our mantra." The mayor's official budget will be unfurled next month. Auditor Sean Thomas, who will make his 2006 budget presentation today, noted payments on capital projects and existing bonds are one factor in the deficit, along with soaring gas prices. "That means the county has to pay more for everything, just like everyone else," he said. Thomas concedes he has some major concerns but emphasized the county should maintain nearly $200 million in fund balances - and avoid a tax hike - following anticipated cuts. "Our budget will do that," Willmore said. - Derek P. Jensen
County suspends personnel director
