Commissioners may opt to fire Agency on Aging director

The Flathead County commissioners are scheduled to meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday to consider whether or not to fire Agency on Aging Director Lisa Sheppard.

Tuesday is the last day of Sheppard’s six-month probationary period.

An email memorandum from Deputy County Attorney Tara Fugina to county officials noted that Sheppard has asked to have the meeting open to the public as the commissioners decide whether to keep her as a county employee.

The personnel item was put on the commissioners’ agenda on Friday, but those wanting to attend Tuesday’s meeting should keep checking the commissioners’ agenda online at http://flathead.mt.gov because scheduled items are subject to change without notice.

Sheppard, 47, relocated to Flathead County last fall from Austin, Texas. She replaced longtime Agency on Aging Director Jim Atkinson, who was fired in February 2012. No explanation was offered by the commissioners for not renewing Atkinson’s contract.

Sheppard holds a master’s degree in public administration. She has an extensive background working with people with disabilities and before moving to Kalispell worked at a new nonprofit to move children with disabilities out of institutions and back with their families or alternate caregivers. That job included business and financial administration and budgeting.