PORT ANGELES — Josh Bunch has resigned his position as Clallam County Public Utility District treasurer-controller after being placed on paid administrative leave in February.
He received a $77,686 separation package.
PUD commissioners approved the payment Monday after a half-hour executive session at which Bunch was not present, spokesman Mike Howe said.
The payment is equal to six months of Bunch’s salary and benefits.
The agreement was approved “to avoid a protracted dispute,” Howe said.
The leave was not the result of Bunch’s handling of district finances, he said.
He would not tell the reason for Bunch’s leave or say if the package was the result of a settlement Bunch reached with the PUD.
Dave Papandrew, who was named interim treasurer-controller position in February, will continue in that position for the time being, Howe said. Papandrew was formerly the PUD’s auditor.
Bunch received a 4.5 percent raise from the tax district to $136,000 a year Jan. 1.
He was placed on administrative leave Feb. 4.
Bunch has not returned calls for comment from Peninsula Daily News since being placed on leave and was unavailable for comment this morning.
His home phone number had been disconnected.
Howe said he did not know if Bunch had left the area.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
