Durham County Manager Kimberly Sowell Resigns After Being On Paid Leave

DURHAM, NC—Durham County Manager Kimberly Sowell has stepped down after spending over six weeks on unexplained paid leave. Late Monday night (Oct. 28), county commissioners unanimously accepted her immediate resignation following a closed-session meeting. Chair Nida Allam and County Attorney Larissa Williamson did not provide further details on the reasons for Sowell’s departure, which leaves longtime county employee Claudia Hager as acting county manager.

Sowell, hired in early 2022, oversaw a $1 billion budget and around 2,400 employees and was the county’s highest-paid official. She was making an annual salary of at least $280,000 in December, according to information provided by the state Treasurer’s Office. Her contract shows she also received $2,000 monthly for housing and $600 for a vehicle. 

Since going on leave on September 9, she has earned over $35,000. With her resignation, questions have emerged regarding any potential severance payments. Sowell’s contract stipulates a year’s pay and benefits if terminated unless she is convicted of a crime, neglected duties, or disregarded county ordinances, yet officials refused to comment on severance specifics.

Under North Carolina law, Sowell’s resignation letter is not considered a public record. 

Sowell’s resignation follows a turbulent period for Durham’s county management. She assumed the role following the 2021 dismissal of her predecessor, Wendell Davis, who later sued the county over racial and gender discrimination allegations, securing a $790,000 settlement. Now, Durham faces another leadership search with city leadership also in transition as City Manager Wanda Page retires after nearly four decades.

The nature of Sowell’s leave remains undisclosed. The county has not publicly stated whether she will receive severance or the full terms of her departure. As the county moves forward, the timeline for naming a permanent successor is unclear.