The hiring of a new county manager known as a dedicated leader with an “unwavering love for Durham” has come with the release of new information about her predecessor’s exit.
Claudia Hager is a budget expert who promised to be a “servant leader” through economic and political uncertainties. She was sworn in Tuesday night, with her son by her side and the Board of Commissioners chambers filled for the first time in months.
“I am just grateful and honored and I will do my best to serve,” she said. “We will get through this.”
Hager was hired Nov. 4, one week after Kimberly Sowell resigned following nearly two months of unexplained leave.
Elected leaders and county staff have repeatedly refused to discuss Sowell’s exit, but a county spokesperson now says she is being paid just over $116,000 in severance.
The reasons behind her leave and resignation are “confidential personnel information” and will not be released by the county, a spokesperson said last week.
Sowell hasn’t responded to multiple attempts to reach her. Sowell, a hire from Greensboro, worked for the county for less than three years.