by P.D. Lesko
Since being put on leave on April 21, 2024, the County’s DEI Dir. Alize Asberry Payne has collected over $43,000 in pay and benefits. In addition, over the past four months Asberry Payne has cashed out hundreds of vacation, sick and personal hours worth tens of thousands of dollars. Her pay records also show while on paid leave, and even as she cashes out her hours, she has accrued an additional 69 hours of sick leave, personal and vacation leave. Records show that since January 2024, Asberry Payne has netted $97,760.67 in gross pay, and cashed out over 520 sick leave, personal and vacation hours at a rate of $75.51 per hour.
It appears as though County Administrator Greg Dill has retained Asberry Payne on paid leave for four months in order for her to collect her full salary and benefits, and also so she could cash out her accrued hours. County employees may cash out only 75 accrued hours per two-week pay period.
Dill, and the Chair of the County Commission, Justin Hodge, were both asked by email why Alize Asberry Payne remained on paid leave absent any investigation. The newspaper also asked the two whether her paid leave was a backdoor, secret payoff hidden from taxpayers. County Administrator Dill said in an email: “I plan to bring this item to closure early next week and will provide more information at that time.”